NEW YORK, July 10 (Reuters) - Short interest on the New
York Stock Exchange rose 1.6 percent in the second half of
June, the exchange said on Friday, suggesting an increase in
bearish sentiment in the stock market.

As of June 30, short interest rose to about 15.6 billion
shares, compared to 15.35 billion shares as of June 15.

Investors who sell securities "short" profit from betting
stocks will fall. Short-sellers borrow shares and then sell
them, waiting for the stock to fall so they can buy the shares
back at the lower price, return them to the lender and pocket
the difference.
(Reporting by Rodrigo Campos)