Short Interest Climbs in Uranium and Consumer Sectors Amid Corporate Developments – Week Sixteen ASX Review

Highlights

• Short positions increase in uranium-focused stocks such as Boss Energy and Paladin Energy.

• James Hardie sees sharp growth in short interest following a proposed acquisition in the U.S.

• Cettire’s exposure to international tariffs contributes to a rise in short activity.

Short interest continued to rise across several uranium-related stocks on the ASX. The list of most shorted stocks was led by Boss Energy, with other names including Paladin Energy, Deep Yellow, and Lotus Resources also reporting higher short positions over the past week. The increase was especially pronounced for Lotus Resources, where short activity grew substantially.

These shifts follow broader sentiment in the energy sector, especially as uranium producers and developers face fluctuating market conditions. Increases in short positions for Boss Energy and Paladin Energy coincided with moderate to high short activity gains over both weekly and monthly periods.

Building Materials Sector Reacts to Acquisition Plans

James Hardie(ASX:JHX) experienced a significant week-on-week rise in short activity, marking it as one of the largest movers on the list. The company had recently announced plans to acquire a U.S.-based building products firm. This move raised valuation concerns due to the proposed acquisition price and the target’s high proportion of intangible assets.

Industry reactions centered on the valuation metrics of the deal and the implications for the company’s previously high capital efficiency metrics. A recent call from shareholders for regulatory reassessment further intensified the discussion, contributing to elevated short positioning.

Retail Faces Regulatory and Economic Hurdles

Luxury online retailer Cettire saw a notable increase in short positions during the week. The company disclosed that a large share of its gross sales during the first half of the financial year came from European-manufactured products sold to customers in the United States. Due to average transaction sizes exceeding existing tariff exemptions, the firm faces heightened exposure to changes in trade policy.

This vulnerability has drawn market scrutiny, as fluctuations in tariff thresholds may impact the cost structure and margins of cross-border e-commerce transactions. As a result, short interest in the company advanced strongly over the period.

Consumer Goods and Education Stocks Join the List

Short interest rose in A2 Milk (ASX:A2M), even as the company recorded strong performance metrics for the current calendar year. Despite its upward price movement, market participants increased short positions, reflecting a reassessment of sector dynamics or the company’s earnings sustainability.

IDP Education also remained among the most shorted stocks. Short activity ticked upward in both week-on-week and month-on-month comparisons, continuing the stock's inclusion in lists tracking elevated short interest.

Metals and Resources Stocks Maintain Presence

Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) recorded another weekly rise in short interest, placing it among the most heavily shorted resource names. Mineral Resources also featured prominently in the rankings, with a slight uptick in short positions.

Uranium developers Deep Yellow and Paladin Energy, in addition to lithium producers such as Pilbara Minerals, remained central to discussions around short activity in the materials sector. While some stocks showed moderate month-on-month shifts, others reflected a steady increase in short interest.

Other Noteworthy Movements

Short positions also climbed in Clarity Pharmaceuticals, Collins Foods, and Austal. These gains were generally smaller in scale but still met the threshold for inclusion among the fastest-rising short names. Technology and manufacturing firms like Hansen Technologies and Bluescope Steel also experienced measurable increases in short interest, suggesting broader sector-wide reassessment.

The movements across multiple sectors, from resources to retail and industrials, highlight ongoing shifts in short activity across the ASX. While no single catalyst dominated the week, a mix of corporate actions, regulatory developments, and sector-specific news contributed to the changes observed in short interest data.