Ticker Talk:

“Short interest” in Nasdaq-listed stocks--the number of shares borrowed and sold, in a bet on lower prices--rose to a record 3.73 billion shares as of mid-April, up 4.5% from mid-March, Nasdaq said Tuesday.

That was less than the 7.2% jump in short interest on the New York Stock Exchange in the same period but still showed that many bearish traders were continuing to bet against technology stocks, which dominate Nasdaq.

However, the rally in Nasdaq that sent many tech shares rocketing last week may have forced more short sellers to close out their bets to avoid heavy losses. When short sellers terminate their trades they buy stock on the open market to repay borrowed shares. That can contribute to any market rally.