AEU goes from 0.02% to 7.82% short — in one week
Week 2, 2026 (5 Jan 2026 — 9 Jan 2026)
The market-wide short book barely moved (667 stocks shorted; average short % 1.27%; WoW average change -0.01%), then Atomic Eagle (AEU) detonated: 0.02% → 7.82% (+7.80%). Up top, Boss Energy (BOE) still leads at 19.23% (-0.47%), while Flight Centre (FLT) was the only top-10 name where shorts meaningfully added (+0.26% to 10.43%).
This Week's Analysis
Most weeks, the short data reads like a slow tide. This week had a splash. Atomic Eagle (AEU) went from 0.02% short to 7.82% in a single report (+7.80%). That’s not a drift higher — that’s a crowd arriving at once. 1
At the top of the table, BOE is still the market’s favourite punching bag at 19.23% short, but the position eased by -0.47% week-on-week. DMP sits at 17.64% (-0.07%). GYG is 13.80% (+0.11%). PDN is 12.49% (-0.48%). IEL is 12.20% (-0.25%). 1 From there it’s the familiar growth-and-volatility mix: PWH 11.78% (-0.15%), PNV 11.52% (-0.14%), TLX 11.21% (-0.02%), DRO 10.43% (-0.18%), and FLT 10.43% (+0.26%). 1 The read-through is simple: the big shorts are still in the same names, but the conviction at the very top softened this week — except for FLT, where shorts kept feeding the position.
Top Shorted Stocks This Week
Financial Snapshot
Key financial metrics from recent company reports for the most shorted stocks.
Biggest Risers
Stocks with the largest increase in short interest this week.
Biggest Fallers
Stocks with the largest decrease in short interest this week.
Movers Analysis
AEU was the outlier. AEU’s short interest jumped 0.02% → 7.82% (+7.80%). The stock also screens as high-octane (beta 2.56) with a P/E of 6.1 — exactly the kind of setup that attracts fast money on both sides when a new view takes hold. 1 2 The next tier of risers was more orthodox. LYC rose 5.99% → 6.68% (+0.69%). TWE lifted 9.87% → 10.33% (+0.46%). NXT climbed 6.05% → 6.43% (+0.38%). BEN moved 2.43% → 2.82% (+0.39%). 1 LYC’s fundamentals give shorts an easy narrative: FY2025 revenue of $556.5m and EBITDA of $101.2m, but profit from ordinary activities after tax attributable to members of $8.0m (change_pct -90.5%). Add a P/E of 1576.0 and you’ve got a valuation argument that doesn’t need much embellishment. 2 3 TWE’s short lift is the more awkward one to explain away as “bad numbers”: FY2025 revenue from ordinary activities of $2,990.1m and EBITS of $770.3m sit alongside an annual dividend of 40 cents per share (70% franked). Yet the short position still pushed up to 10.33%. 1 4 On the cover side, QRI dropped 3.26% → 1.87% (-1.39%). SX2 fell 2.36% → 1.38% (-0.98%). WHC eased 3.49% → 2.54% (-0.95%). ACL slipped 4.71% → 4.08% (-0.63%). BC8 moved 4.69% → 4.14% (-0.55%). 1
Industry Trends
Resources is splitting in two. Uranium shorts are still huge, but they’re trimming at the top: BOE is 19.23% (-0.47%) and PDN is 12.49% (-0.48%). At the same time, the market found fresh appetite for risk elsewhere in the complex — AEU surged to 7.82% (+7.80%) and LYC ticked up to 6.68% (+0.69%). 1 Consumer services remains a live wire. DMP is parked at 17.64% (-0.07%), GYG is 13.80% (+0.11%), and FLT is 10.43% (+0.26%). Different businesses, same message: shorts still like leaning on discretionary where expectations can’t afford a wobble. 1 2 And in growth/tech, NXT’s short build to 6.43% (+0.38%) sits neatly alongside its FY2025 revenue from ordinary activities of $427.209m and a loss after tax attributable to members of $60.543m. 1 5
Outlook
Next week’s tell is whether AEU stays pinned at 7.82% short or snaps back — moves of +7.80% don’t hide. If FLT keeps climbing from 10.43% (+0.26%) while BOE and PDN continue to ease, you’ll have a clear rotation signal inside the short book. 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ASX stock had the biggest jump in short interest this week?
Atomic Eagle (AEU): 0.02% → 7.82% short (+7.80%) for 2026-W02 (report date 2026-01-09). [ref-1]
What is the most shorted ASX stock right now?
Boss Energy (BOE) at 19.23% short (WoW change -0.47%). [ref-1]
Which top-10 short had shorts adding this week?
Flight Centre (FLT) rose to 10.43% short with a WoW change of +0.26%. [ref-1]
Why are shorts rising in Lynas (LYC)?
LYC short interest rose 5.99% → 6.68% (+0.69%). In its FY2025 results, profit from ordinary activities after tax attributable to members was $8.0m (change_pct -90.5%), and the stock screens on a P/E of 1576.0. [ref-1] [ref-2] [ref-3]
What does the overall ASX short market look like this week?
Total stocks shorted: 667. Average short %: 1.27%. WoW average change: -0.01%. [ref-1]
Sources
- Shorted.com.au / ASIC short position dataset (Week: 2026-W02, Report Date: 2026-01-09; Previous Date: 2026-01-02)(2026-01-09) [asic data]
- Company context metrics in provided dataset (AEU P/E 6.1, beta 2.56; LYC P/E 1576.0; GYG P/E 153.1)(2026-01-09) [asic data]
- LYC: Appendix 4E and 2025 Annual Report(2025-08-28) [financial report]
- TWE: 2025 Annual Report(2025-08-13) [financial report]
- NXT: FY25 Annual Report & Appendix 4E(2025-08-28) [financial report]
Data sourced from ASIC short position reports (T+4 delayed). This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Short selling data may not reflect real-time market conditions.