Technology firm Ocado was the most shorted company on the UK stock market as of 16 December, 2024, according to a recent report from GraniteShares, a global issuer of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) with over $9bn AUM.

Ocado, which provides comprehensive online grocery fulfilment solutions, saw 5.67% of its shares shorted by five fund managers, with D1 Capital Partners holding the largest stake at 2.18%.

In second place was Petrofac, an international energy services company, with 5.73% of its stock shorted by two investment firms.

Following Petrofac were John Wood Group and Alphawave IP Group, which had 5.21% and 5.19% of their shares shorted by three and six fund managers, respectively.

The analysis also revealed that GLG Partners held the largest number of short positions on UK-listed companies, with 42 active short positions. It was followed by Marshall Wace and Qube Research & Technologies, with 28 and 24 active short positions, respectively.