30 Downtrend Stocks Being Snapped Up by Institutional Investors

The following is a list of stocks in a downtrend, i.e. trading below the 20-day, 50-day and 200-day moving averages. All of these stocks have seen significant institutional buying over the last three months.

The smart money seems to think the recent weakness in these shares present a buying opportunity. What do you think? Full details below.

Moving average and short float data sourced from Finviz, institutional data sourced from Reuters.



The list has been sorted by the change in institutional ownership over the last three months.

1. Cninsure Inc. (CISG): Insurance Brokers Industry. Market cap of $746.8M. The stock is currently -8.66% below its 20-day MA, -24.15% below its 50-day MA, and -31.97% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 30,658,752 shares vs. 22,585,147 shares held three months ago (+35.75% change). Short float at 10.67%, which implies a short ratio of 4.39 days. The stock has lost -20.96% over the last year.

2. Harry Winston Diamond Corporation (HWD): Nonmetallic Mineral Mining Industry. Market cap of $950.22M. The stock is currently -10.55% below its 20-day MA, -10.92% below its 50-day MA, and -5.59% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 52,751,266 shares vs. 40,603,769 shares held three months ago (+29.92% change). Short float at 0.34%, which implies a short ratio of 1.33 days. The stock has gained 16.62% over the last year.

3. Global Crossing Ltd. (GLBC): Diversified Communication Services Industry. Market cap of $785.64M. The stock is currently -5.09% below its 20-day MA, -4.3% below its 50-day MA, and -2.04% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 74,321,474 shares vs. 57,312,001 shares held three months ago (+29.68% change). Short float at 2.44%, which implies a short ratio of 15.05 days. The stock has lost -9.54% over the last year.

4. Allied Irish Banks plc (AIB): Foreign Money Center Banks Industry. Market cap of $569.13M. The stock is currently -21.62% below its 20-day MA, -18.9% below its 50-day MA, and -61.31% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 14,959,354 shares vs. 11,581,861 shares held three months ago (+29.16% change). Short float at 2.54%, which implies a short ratio of 1.66 days. The stock has lost -76.64% over the last year.

5. China Mobile Limited (CHL): Wireless Communications Industry. Market cap of $197.98B. The stock is currently -1.27% below its 20-day MA, -3.42% below its 50-day MA, and -.77% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 58,609,348 shares vs. 50,037,014 shares held three months ago (+17.13% change). Short float at 0.25%, which implies a short ratio of 1.92 days. The stock has gained 13.95% over the last year.

6. Garmin Ltd. (GRMN): Scientific & Technical Instruments Industry. Market cap of $5.88B. The stock is currently -.63% below its 20-day MA, -1.19% below its 50-day MA, and -4.04% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 69,702,678 shares vs. 60,454,047 shares held three months ago (+15.3% change). Short float at 19.75%, which implies a short ratio of 13.69 days. The stock has gained 4.25% over the last year.

7. DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. (DFT): Property Management Industry. Market cap of $1.23B. The stock is currently -4.63% below its 20-day MA, -9.64% below its 50-day MA, and -13.08% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 66,808,325 shares vs. 58,106,110 shares held three months ago (+14.98% change). Short float at 22.75%, which implies a short ratio of 13.2 days. The stock has gained 18.78% over the last year.

8. Newpark Resources Inc. (NR): Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Industry. Market cap of $541.8M. The stock is currently -1.13% below its 20-day MA, -7.02% below its 50-day MA, and -14.69% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 92,648,348 shares vs. 81,609,986 shares held three months ago (+13.53% change). Short float at 8.6%, which implies a short ratio of 3.99 days. The stock has gained 36.76% over the last year.

9. Skechers USA Inc. (SKX): Apparel Footwear & Accessories Industry. Market cap of $952.12M. The stock is currently -7.65% below its 20-day MA, -8.23% below its 50-day MA, and -34.55% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 43,416,285 shares vs. 38,414,562 shares held three months ago (+13.02% change). Short float at 20.7%, which implies a short ratio of 3.52 days. The stock has lost -30.37% over the last year.

10. hhgregg, Inc. (HGG): Electronics Stores Industry. Market cap of $852.41M. The stock is currently -9.57% below its 20-day MA, -8.48% below its 50-day MA, and -10.93% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 42,032,327 shares vs. 37,622,470 shares held three months ago (+11.72% change). Short float at 30.21%, which implies a short ratio of 16.11 days. The stock has lost -1.95% over the last year.

11. Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (RBS): Foreign Money Center Banks Industry. Market cap of $65.65B. The stock is currently -2.08% below its 20-day MA, -7.94% below its 50-day MA, and -11.84% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 4,297,442 shares vs. 3,849,464 shares held three months ago (+11.64% change). Short float at 0.14%, which implies a short ratio of 3.22 days. The stock has gained 7.73% over the last year.

12. China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. (CEA): Major Airlines Industry. Market cap of $5.66B. The stock is currently -5.62% below its 20-day MA, -14.46% below its 50-day MA, and -4.88% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 1,551,346 shares vs. 1,400,358 shares held three months ago (+10.78% change). Short float at 0.03%, which implies a short ratio of 0.77 days. The stock has gained 41.94% over the last year.

13. China Real Estate Information Corporation (CRIC): Internet Information Providers Industry. Market cap of $1.28B. The stock is currently -1.3% below its 20-day MA, -6.97% below its 50-day MA, and -2.26% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 19,699,849 shares vs. 18,020,529 shares held three months ago (+9.32% change). Short float at 2.46%, which implies a short ratio of 15.91 days. The stock has lost -17.15% over the last year.

14. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTE): Telecom Services Industry. Market cap of $746.55M. The stock is currently -3.58% below its 20-day MA, -13.49% below its 50-day MA, and -16.88% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 10,092,010 shares vs. 9,248,496 shares held three months ago (+9.12% change). Short float at 0.52%, which implies a short ratio of 8.41 days. The stock has lost -25% over the last year.

15. Perfect World Co., Ltd. (PWRD): Application Software Industry. Market cap of $1.14B. The stock is currently -3.09% below its 20-day MA, -16.05% below its 50-day MA, and -18.95% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 34,034,681 shares vs. 31,298,800 shares held three months ago (+8.74% change). Short float at 3.51%, which implies a short ratio of 1.99 days. The stock has lost -44.8% over the last year.

16. Barclays PLC (BCS): Foreign Money Center Banks Industry. Market cap of $49.76B. The stock is currently -1.38% below its 20-day MA, -5.3% below its 50-day MA, and -12.55% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 55,608,235 shares vs. 51,230,552 shares held three months ago (+8.55% change). Short float at 0.14%, which implies a short ratio of 1.41 days. The stock has lost -5.98% over the last year.

17. Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF): Movie Production and Theaters Industry. Market cap of $896.1M. The stock is currently -6.63% below its 20-day MA, -9.39% below its 50-day MA, and -4.82% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 166,450,943 shares vs. 153,490,566 shares held three months ago (+8.44% change). Short float at 1.73%, which implies a short ratio of 8.74 days. The stock has gained 13.3% over the last year.

18. Diana Shipping Inc. (DSX): Shipping Industry. Market cap of $1.04B. The stock is currently -2.83% below its 20-day MA, -5.01% below its 50-day MA, and -5.09% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 28,506,592 shares vs. 26,374,148 shares held three months ago (+8.09% change). Short float at 1.37%, which implies a short ratio of 1.13 days. The stock has lost -14.66% over the last year.

19. Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM): Communication Equipment Industry. Market cap of $585.18M. The stock is currently -9.28% below its 20-day MA, -6.97% below its 50-day MA, and -7.63% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 42,897,805 shares vs. 39,843,899 shares held three months ago (+7.66% change). Short float at 14.08%, which implies a short ratio of 18.07 days. The stock has gained 2.59% over the last year.

20. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA): Foreign Regional Banks Industry. Market cap of $37.59B. The stock is currently -2.76% below its 20-day MA, -13.53% below its 50-day MA, and -17.81% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 41,144,231 shares vs. 38,358,026 shares held three months ago (+7.26% change). Short float at 0.17%, which implies a short ratio of 2.41 days. The stock has lost -43.37% over the last year.

21. EnerNOC, Inc. (ENOC): Business Services Industry. Market cap of $604.55M. The stock is currently -2.74% below its 20-day MA, -9.47% below its 50-day MA, and -18.56% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 22,555,723 shares vs. 21,125,812 shares held three months ago (+6.77% change). Short float at 16.29%, which implies a short ratio of 11.02 days. The stock has lost -23.81% over the last year.

22. Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ): Semiconductor Industry. Market cap of $541.21M. The stock is currently -3.8% below its 20-day MA, -10.44% below its 50-day MA, and -13.34% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 19,437,077 shares vs. 18,247,262 shares held three months ago (+6.52% change). Short float at 11.63%, which implies a short ratio of 2.24 days. The stock has lost -56.94% over the last year.

23. Perusahaan Perseroan PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk. (TLK): Telecom Services Industry. Market cap of $17.16B. The stock is currently -1.54% below its 20-day MA, -6.35% below its 50-day MA, and -3.75% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 48,808,834 shares vs. 45,952,035 shares held three months ago (+6.22% change). Short float at 0.43%, which implies a short ratio of 2.8 days. The stock has lost -10.97% over the last year.

24. The Talbots Inc. (TLB): Apparel Stores Industry. Market cap of $603.93M. The stock is currently -10.31% below its 20-day MA, -14.% below its 50-day MA, and -27.81% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 97,059,245 shares vs. 91,984,334 shares held three months ago (+5.52% change). Short float at 26.16%, which implies a short ratio of 4.73 days. The stock has gained 6.72% over the last year.

25. ING Groep NV (ING): Life Insurance Industry. Market cap of $36.08B. The stock is currently -2.76% below its 20-day MA, -8.71% below its 50-day MA, and .% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 88,978,507 shares vs. 84,335,124 shares held three months ago (+5.51% change). Short float at 0.07%, which implies a short ratio of 1.02 days. The stock has lost -3.34% over the last year.

26. Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (HMIN): Lodging Industry. Market cap of $1.7B. The stock is currently -5.69% below its 20-day MA, -12.1% below its 50-day MA, and -.25% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 21,507,080 shares vs. 20,452,137 shares held three months ago (+5.16% change). Short float at 4.43%, which implies a short ratio of 2.9 days. The stock has gained 18.87% over the last year.

27. Clearwire Corporation (CLWR): Wireless Communications Industry. Market cap of $5.01B. The stock is currently -14.2% below its 20-day MA, -21.99% below its 50-day MA, and -28.74% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 195,809,278 shares vs. 186,647,648 shares held three months ago (+4.91% change). Short float at 14.09%, which implies a short ratio of 6.75 days. The stock has lost -25.4% over the last year.

28. Central European Distribution Corp. (CEDC): Wineries & Distillers Industry. Market cap of $1.59B. The stock is currently -9.01% below its 20-day MA, -8.78% below its 50-day MA, and -16.39% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 53,342,860 shares vs. 51,078,850 shares held three months ago (+4.43% change). Short float at 3.35%, which implies a short ratio of 2.65 days. The stock has lost -20.09% over the last year.

29. Airgas Inc. (ARG): Industrial Equipment Wholesale Industry. Market cap of $5.26B. The stock is currently -.81% below its 20-day MA, -5.39% below its 50-day MA, and -3.11% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 75,351,960 shares vs. 72,159,685 shares held three months ago (+4.42% change). Short float at 4.12%, which implies a short ratio of 1.57 days. The stock has gained 32.97% over the last year.

30. Tata Communications Limited (TCL): Telecom Services Industry. Market cap of $1.56B. The stock is currently -3.22% below its 20-day MA, -14.82% below its 50-day MA, and -13.09% below its 200-day MA. Institutional investors currently own 8,965,346 shares vs. 8,590,833 shares held three months ago (+4.36% change). Short float at 1.02%, which implies a short ratio of 7.58 days. The stock has lost -25.56% over the last year.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.