Short Squeeze Scan — 2026-07-05
Algolearn.AI July 5, 2026 3 min read 6 views
Squeeze 2026-07-05 · 1 top setup · 2 watchlist · 27 no signal
Automated daily scan of high-short-interest US stocks, scored against a 7-point short-squeeze checklist (the same warning signs that preceded the April 2026 CAR squeeze). Each top setup includes a defined-risk options idea built from live chain data. Not investment advice.
Top setups
GRPN (6/7)
GRPN is the strongest squeeze setup in today's universe: 55.77% float short and 11.28 days-to-cover on a 19.72M-share float where institutions own 77–95% of tradeable supply, leaving short sellers acutely exposed in a structurally thin market. The stock has surged +59% from its $16.09 June 10 low to $25.58 as covering pressure visibly mounts. Jul-17 options confirm the thesis — calls trade at 127% IV versus 93% for puts, a pronounced -26.5% call skew on ATM IV of 123%. The sole miss is borrow cost (0.54% APR), which is surprisingly cheap. Q2 earnings on August 5 provide a hard near-term catalyst window within 31 days.
- [PASS] Short interest > 40% of float: 55.77% of float sold short per highshortinterest.com (2026-07-05 weekly refresh); well above the 40% squeeze threshold
- [PASS] Days to cover > 5: 11.28 days-to-cover as of Jan 30 2026 (MarketBeat); ~10.99M shares short on ~969K avg daily volume; with SI still at 55.77% on 19.72M float, structural DTC remains double-digit
- [PASS] Tiny free float with institutions locked up: Float 19.72M shares (39.77M total outstanding per GuruFocus 2026); institutional ownership 77.92%–95.11% of float (WallStreetZen/Fintel 2026), exceeding the 75% lockup threshold — leaves <4.4M shares in retail hands against 10.99M shorted
- [FAIL] Rising borrow costs: Borrow fee rate 0.54% APR as of Jan 2026 (MarketBeat); 1.8M shares reportedly available to borrow — not stressed; borrow cost does not confirm the squeeze mechanically
- [PASS] Near-term catalyst (earnings, FDA, tariff, etc.): Q2 2026 earnings expected 2026-08-05 (EarningsWhispers/MarketBeat); company targeting AI-agent transaction milestone by mid-2026 and an investor event in 2H26; iOS app migration driving stronger per-user monetization
- [PASS] Heavy call buying / call skew > put skew: Jul-17 chain (underlying $24.70): call_25d_iv=127.0% vs put_25d_iv=93.4% — calls trade 26.5% richer in IV than puts (skew_pct=-26.5%); ATM IV=122.7%; expected move ±15.8% in 12 days; call-side bid pressure is unusually lopsided
- [PASS] Price momentum turning up despite heavy short interest: Closed $16.09 on Jun 10 (30-day low), ran to $25.58 by Jul 2 — +59% in 3.5 weeks; Jun 25 breakout printed 3.9M shares vs 1.1–1.5M typical, confirming institutional accumulation on breakout
| Strategy | bull call spread |
|---|---|
| Expiry | 2026-07-17 |
| Legs | long 1x $27 call, short 1x $30 call |
| Cost | $0.60 debit per spread (long $27 call at $1.30 mid, short $30 call at $0.70 mid; sourced from Jul-17 chain with underlying at $24.70) |
| Max risk / reward | $60 per spread / $240 per spread · breakeven $27.60 |
Watchlist
| Ticker | Score | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| SPHR | 3/7 | SPHR has 37.18% float short with a high 10.4 days-to-cover on a 24.65M-share float — mechanical squeeze pressure is real. Price has gained +25.5% in 27 days and the Q1 CY2026 earnings beat plus Evian September residency launch provide live catalysts. Key shortfalls: SI sits just below 40%, borrow rate is unconfirmed, and Jul-17 options show protective put skew (+38.8%) rather than call accumulation — the options market is hedging downside, not pricing a squeeze. Upgrade trigger: SI crossing 40% or evidence of elevated borrow rate. |
| ACHC | 3/7 | ACHC has 28.6% float short with ~5.5 days-to-cover and has surged +35.8% in 27 days, with the final five sessions showing visible price acceleration. A Jun 26 8-K filing triggered 5x-normal volume and management's $300M CapEx reduction plus Q2 2026 earnings (expected August) are live catalysts. Key shortfalls: SI at 28.6% is well below the 40% squeeze threshold, the float is large at 85.14M shares, and the Jul-17 options chain is illiquid with no confirming call activity. Upgrade candidate if a buyout rumor or major beat drives SI above 35%. |
No signal
BATL, AI, FLWS, SOUN, XPOF, SPRY, EVGO, LFVN, HTZ, LCID, FLNC, TTEC, RXRX, PCT, UONE, SERV, WGS, INDI, SATS, EOSE, XRX, WYFI, BETR, HIMS, STIM, CRML, CRDF
Generated 2026-07-05 14:57 UTC by the AlgoLearn squeeze scanner. Defined-risk options ideas for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
https://pagerankcafe.com/pressRelease/blog/squeeze-scan-2026-07-05