Simon Colvin, research analyst at Markit, said short sellers were “disproportionately targeting UK firms that earn a large portion of revenue from the British isle”.
According to the latest Financial Conduct Authority short position register, some 14 entities have taken bets against Carillion; one of the largest of these is a 3.4 per cent position held by BlackRock Investment Management. The business gets three quarters of its revenue from the UK.
There are also 10 positions registered against facilities management outfit Mitie. Investment groups including Artemis, JPMorgan and Ardevora have short bets against the firm.
Ocado Group and WM Morrison are also among the short sellers favourites, with a total of 16.7 per cent and 17.1 per cent of their stock being shorted respectively.
katherine.denham@ft.com
