U.S. homebuilders experienced a 13-basis-point increase in averageshort interest during the second half of June, with shorts rising to 8.68% from8.55% of outstanding shares as of the first half of the month.

During the period between June 15 and June 30, posted a 410-basis-pointincrease in shares held short, to 22.70% of its outstanding stock, marking the biggestincrease in the sector.

CalAtlantic GroupInc. logged the biggest drop in short interest during the period, down140 basis points to 10.20% of its outstanding shares. Meanwhile, was the most shortedstock in the homebuilding sector, with a 25-basis-point drop in short interest to24.14% of its outstanding shares.