Short interest

According to MarketWatch:

"Short interest in 3,223 Nasdaq securities totaled 8.63 billion shares
at the end of Jan. 31 settlement date, down from 8.69 billion shares
at the end of Jan. 15, the exchange said late Monday."

OK... was 8.69 in mid January, then "down" to 8.63 at month end. Got
it.

but... what about this:

"Short interest in 2,707 Nasdaq Global Market securities totaled 8.44
billion shares, up from 8.49 billion shares at the end of the previous
re****ting period."

wtf? How is 8.44 mil. "up" from 8.49 mil.  ??



Option expiry is this week. What are the odds of a squeeze rally going
into Friday?