Arkema Short Interest More Than Doubles in September
Arkema's short interest climbed to 1,858 shares by Sept. 15, up 133.4% from 796 at the end of August. The days-to-cover ratio was 0.8, and shorted shares represented about 0.0% of the total. Analysts had a Hold consensus, with one Buy, six Holds, and one Sell; the stock opened at $64.50.
Arkema’s reported short position reached 1,858 shares by mid-September, compared with 796 at August’s close—a 133.4% increase. With average daily volume of 2,376 shares, covering those positions would take about 0.8 days. Shorted stock remained a negligible fraction of shares outstanding, roughly 0.0%.
Analysts were mixed but cautious: one Buy, six Holds, and one Sell, yielding a Hold consensus. Recent actions included Goldman Sachs moving to Neutral, Deutsche Bank keeping Hold, and Barclays raising its view to Hold. The shares opened at $64.50, within a 52-week range of $56.28–$79.36. Arkema is a French specialty materials maker formed in 2004 from Total’s chemicals reorganization.
Because the short position is tiny, this increase may have little direct market effect. Investors could read it as a weak signal, while Arkema’s Hold consensus and mixed quarterly results may shape financing and strategic decisions. The company’s specialty materials reach automotive, construction, electronics, packaging, and healthcare supply chains, so any changes in investment or production could indirectly affect workers, customers, and communities. Still, with shorted shares near 0.0%, broader societal consequences appear limited and speculative.