Short sellers boost HL and SJP positions in Woodford fallout - reports

Among the most shorted stocks in the FTSE 100

clock • 1 min read

Short sellers have been targeting Hargreaves Lansdown and St James's Place (SJP) since the collapse of Woodford Investment Management, with the investment intermediaries' links to the firm under close scrutiny.

Hargreaves and SJP are among the most shorted stocks in the FTSE 100, according to the FT, with hedge funds placing their negative positions against the firms in the wake of the suspension of the Woodford Equity Income fund (WEIF) in June and raising them since. Peter Hargreaves' firm, which had nearly 300,000 of its 1.1 million clients invested in the fund, currently faces short positions equivalent to 6.2% of its stock, according to HIS Markit data. SJP, which withdrew a £3.5bn segregated investment mandate with Woodford immediately after the WEIF suspension, has seen hedge funds sh...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Budget 26: Stamp Duty on shares to be swapped for Securities Transfer Tax

Budget 26: Stamp Duty on shares to be swapped for Securities Transfer Tax

By late 2027

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 28 October 2026 • 1 min read
Investment tax relief rises by smallest amount in four years amid recent Budget measures

Investment tax relief rises by smallest amount in four years amid recent Budget measures

Bowmore Financial Planning research

Jack Roach
clock 28 October 2026 • 2 min read
Defaqto to launch rating for newer funds and portfolios

Defaqto to launch rating for newer funds and portfolios

Combines Defaqto and RSMR expertise

Jen Frost
clock 27 October 2026 • 2 min read