ASIC positions vs ASX short sales
ASIC reports the short positions still open. ASX reports short sales made during a trading day.
What each report measures
| Measure | ASIC | ASX |
|---|---|---|
| Reports | Outstanding short positions | Daily gross short sales |
| Delay | Four business days, T+4 | Next business day, T+1 |
| On this site | % short, rankings, and history | Gross short sales as % of issued capital |
Why the numbers do not match
Gross sales count short-selling activity without subtracting purchases that close positions. Shares sold short and bought back on the same day contribute to gross sales without leaving an open short position at day's end.
A spike in ASX gross short sales therefore need not produce an equal rise in ASIC short interest. You cannot add up daily gross sales to work out the outstanding position.
Keep the dates separate
The latest ASX and ASIC figures usually refer to different trading days. Check both source dates before comparing them. T+1 arrives sooner, but it does not provide an early reading of the same number.
Use ASIC to follow reported positions over time and ASX to see daily short-selling activity. Neither report explains the reason for a trade.
See the methodology for source reports and calculations, or continue to the research checklist.