Here’s a look at the five NYSE-traded stocks with the largest number of shares held short as of July 31st. Of the five, short interest of two had decreased.

Short interest in AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) declined 1.5% to 196.92 million shares, about 3.8% of the stock’s float. It would take seven days to cover all short positions. As long as AT&T’s massive dividend is not threatened, shorting the stock will be a technical game that attracts a reasonably small number of players. The stock closed at $34.47 Monday, in a 52-week range of $31.74 to $37.48. The share price dropped about 1.8% in the two weeks since the last report on short interest.

Short interest in Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) jumped 36.1% to a total of 153.19 million shares. The stock closed Monday at $4.14. It had previously plunged about 14% in the two-week period ending July 31. Year-to-date, however, the stock is up nearly 5%, and it posted its 52-week high in mid-July. The stock’s 52-week range is $3.04 to $4.80. About 24.8% of AMD’s shares are held short and days to cover is three.

Vale SA (NYSE: VALE) experienced a decline in short interest to 128.71 million shares, down 2.8% in the two-week period. Days to cover is four based on the stock’s U.S.-listed shares. The Brazilian mining giant stock is down more than 10% over the past 12 months. The stock closed at $14.04 Monday night, in a 52-week range of $12.29 to $17.14.

Short interest in Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) rose 7.3% to 102.29 million shares, representing 1% of the company’s float and two days to cover all short positions. Shares have fallen about 3.5% in the two-week period to July 31. The bank removed one more overhang during the period when it agreed to settle a claim with AIG. Shares closed at $15.22 Monday night, in a 52-week range of $13.60 to $18.03.

Short interest in Cemex SAB de CV (NYSE: CX) rose 9.1% to 101.72 million shares, which represents 8.4% of Cemex’s float. It would take 10 days to cover short positions. The company’s shares slipped nearly 5% in the two-week period to July 31. The stock closed on Monday at $12.72, in a 52-week range of $9.43 to $13.82.

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