Malaysia short sellers target record equity rally

Kuala Lumpur

SHORT sellers are taking aim at the world's longest-running equity rally.

Short interest in the iShares MSCI Malaysia exchange-traded fund (ETF) more than doubled in the past month to 20 per cent of outstanding shares as at Monday, and reached an eight-year peak of 23 per cent on Jan 9. That is the highest level among 89 US-listed ETFs focused on emerging market countries, according to data compiled by Markit Group Ltd and Bloomberg.