Short interest for stocks traded on the NYSE was up about 3% for the period ending November 15 compared to the October 31 numbers. Bets against big financials sky-rocketed, and positions in some retailers jumped. The shares sold short in Washington Mutual (WM) jumped 12.3 million to 74.6 million. Wells Fargo (WFC) shares sold short moved up almost six million to 53.7 million The short position in Wal-Mart (WMT) spiked to 7.4 million to 51.6 million and Home Depot's (HD) was up 5.6 million to 63 million. Largest Short Positions Company Shares Short Ford (F) 164.4 million Countrywide (CFC) 112.5 million Washington Mutual 74.6 million AMD (AMD) 68.2 million CVS 67.6 million Qwest (Q) 66.7 million Home Depot 63.0 million GE 61.6 million Time Warner 61.3 million Best Buy 59.1 million Source: NYSE