Celcuity Short Interest Rises to 31.8%
Welcome to this week's installment of "The Short Interest Report" - The Fly's weekly recap of short interest trends among some of the most widely followed high-short-float stocks. Using the data from our partnerwhich utilizes the latest information from stock lenders to estimate short interest changes for thousands of publicly traded companies, this report will screen for some of biggest changes in short interest as a percentage of free float and days-to-cover ratios while also considering the short interest data on some of the more volatile and heavier-traded names of the week. Based on the availability of data from Ortex, the report tracks the trading period that covers prior Friday through Thursday of this week, excluding holidays. As a basis of comparison for stocks discussed below, the S&P 500 index was down 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.4%, the Russell 2000 index was up 1.7%, the Russell 2000 Growth ETFwas up 1.6%, and the Russell 2000 Value ETFwas up 1.8% in the four-day trading session range through January 22.SHORT INTEREST GAINERSAs profiled last week, Ortex-reported short interest on Celcuityhad troughed at a three-month low below 20% in the final week of November, followed by a gradual ascend that picked up speed in the first half of January. The bears demonstrated greater resolve as the percentage of short interest to free float had jumped from 23.7% to 28.8% last week, and this week, the trend continued, with short interest gaining another three percentage points to 31.8% - now less than two points away from 2025 highs just north of 33%. With trading volume holding steady, days-to-cover on the name also continued to climb, rising from 5.0 to 6.0. The stock, meanwhile, was up 5.2% in the four-day period covered through Thursday and has now gained 10.3% year-to-date.Ortex-reported short interest on Intuitive Machineshad tracked in the 20%-23% range from the first week of December just beyond the half-way point of January, though this week has seen a spike in short positioning from 23.0% all the way above 28% - the highest level since September of 2024. Days-to-cover on the name is down notably however, slipping from 5.0 to 4.6 amid a more pronounced period of trading volume activity since mid-December. The stock has nearly tripled since its mid-November lows, rising from $8 per share to over $22, though while the bears were initially prone to reduce exposure, shorts are increasingly re-establishing positions in the new year. This week, Intuitive Machines shares were up another 5.7% in the four-day period covered, with year-to-date gain now seen at 23%.SHORT INTEREST DECLINERSOrtex-reported short interest on Redwirepeaked around 31% in the first week of January as bears looked to fade the 40% advance in the first few days of the new year, but as shares continued to climb, exuberance on the short side gave way to caution. This week, short positioning as a percentage of free float for Redwire fell from 26.4% to 21.8% - the lowest level since mid-November. Days to cover also scaled back to 3.2 from 3.8, even with trading volumes on the stock remaining well above normal ranges. The stock, meanwhile, picked up another 10% in the four-day period through Thursday and now stands having gained 18% from short interest peak on January 6th, 65% year-to-date, and 158% from mid-November lows.Ortex-reported short interest on Rezolve AIskyrocketed from 8% in the first week of December to an all-time high above 32% by mid-January as the stock also more than doubled in that timespan. With shares rolling over this week in conjunction with the company's announced $250M registered direct offering however, bears are also booking profits - short interest as a percentage of free float has declined from 32.3% all the way down to 21.3%, while days-to-cover on the name is down from 4.2 to 1.8. Rezolve AI has lost 25% in the four-day period covered and more than half of its value since the stock's peak in mid-September, though year-to-date in 2026, shares are still up 22%.
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- Clinical Trial Results: In the VIKTORIA-1 trial, the gedatolisib triplet therapy achieved a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.3 months, a significant increase of 7.3 months compared to 2.0 months with fulvestrant, indicating a potential shift in treatment paradigms.
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- Safety Assessment: The trial reported that treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) for both gedatolisib regimens were predominantly low-grade, with the most common grade 3 TRAEs being neutropenia (52.3% and 0%), demonstrating favorable tolerability.
- FDA Review Progress: The U.S. FDA has granted Priority Review for gedatolisib's New Drug Application, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date set for July 17, 2026, underscoring the drug's significance and potential market impact in breast cancer treatment.
- Transaction Overview: On February 17, 2026, Apis Capital disclosed in an SEC filing that it sold 174,000 shares of Celcuity, with an estimated transaction value of approximately $14.3 million based on quarterly average pricing, indicating the firm's active market engagement.
- Position Change: Following the sale, Apis Capital's stake in Celcuity decreased to 602,000 shares, still representing 10.46% of its 13F AUM, highlighting that Celcuity remains its largest holding and reflecting ongoing investor confidence in the company.
- Market Value Increase: At the end of the quarter, the value of the Celcuity position increased by $21.71 million, showcasing significant stock price appreciation and indicating strong performance and market recognition in the biotechnology sector.
- Stock Performance: Celcuity's stock price surged by 741.1% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 721.31 percentage points, demonstrating its competitive edge and investment appeal in the precision medicine landscape.
- Share Reduction Details: Apis Capital Advisors disclosed the sale of 174,000 shares of Celcuity on February 17, 2026, valued at approximately $14.3 million, indicating a strategic response to market fluctuations.
- Position Analysis: Following the sale, Celcuity still represented 10.46% of Apis Capital's 13F AUM, demonstrating the firm's ongoing confidence in Celcuity despite the partial profit-taking.
- Stock Performance Highlights: As of February 17, 2026, Celcuity shares were priced at $107.32, reflecting a remarkable 741.1% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 721.31 percentage points, showcasing its strong market performance.
- Investor Recommendations: Although Apis Capital reduced its stake, Celcuity remains its largest holding, prompting investors to exercise caution regarding the high volatility of biotech stocks and consider biotech ETFs to spread risk and reduce overall volatility.
- Share Acquisition: Boxer Capital Management disclosed an increase of 135,000 shares in Celcuity during Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $11.10 million, indicating strong confidence in the biotech firm and potentially enhancing its market performance.
- Increased Ownership: Following this acquisition, Boxer Capital now holds a total of 225,000 shares in Celcuity, valued at $22.44 million, representing 4.9% of its 13F reportable assets, highlighting the stock's significance in its investment portfolio.
- Stock Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Celcuity shares were priced at $107.32, reflecting a remarkable 741.1% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 721.3 percentage points, showcasing its strong market appeal and investment potential.
- Industry Risks: While Boxer Capital's acquisition is seen as a bullish signal, the high-risk nature of the biotech sector necessitates caution for investors, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding clinical trial outcomes, suggesting a diversified approach through biotech ETFs may be prudent.
- Increased Holdings: Boxer Capital disclosed an acquisition of 135,000 shares of Celcuity in Q4 2025, with an estimated trade value of $11.10 million, reflecting a bullish outlook on the biotech sector.
- Value Appreciation: As of December 31, 2025, Boxer Capital's position in Celcuity was valued at $22.44 million, an increase of $18 million from the previous quarter, demonstrating the dual impact of trading activity and price appreciation.
- Asset Allocation Shift: Celcuity now accounts for 4.9% of Boxer Capital's reportable assets, becoming the firm's fifth-largest position, indicating its growing significance within the biotech investment portfolio.
- Outstanding Market Performance: Celcuity's stock price surged 741.1% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 721.3 percentage points, showcasing its competitive advantage and market potential in precision oncology.
- Surge in Options Volume: On Holding AG's options trading volume reached 108,317 contracts, equivalent to approximately 10.8 million shares, reflecting a 237.8% increase over its average daily trading volume, indicating strong market interest in the company's future performance.
- High Demand for Call Options: Notably, the $40 strike call option expiring on March 20, 2026, saw a trading volume of 36,567 contracts today, representing about 3.7 million shares, suggesting a significant bullish sentiment among investors regarding the stock's price trajectory.
- Celcuity Inc Options Activity: Celcuity Inc's options volume stood at 8,693 contracts, translating to approximately 869,300 shares, which is 134.5% of its average daily trading volume, highlighting growing investor interest in the company's potential growth.
- Market Enthusiasm for Call Options: For Celcuity Inc, the $130 strike call option expiring on April 17, 2026, recorded a trading volume of 5,005 contracts today, representing around 500,500 shares, further reflecting optimistic investor sentiment about its future performance.











