Competition in the Publishing - Periodicals industry is starting to heat up, and a few stocks, like Meredith Corp. (MDP), are falling behind.

Here's something to watch. Meredith Corp., Reed Elsevier plc (RUK) and THOMSON REUTERS ADR (TRIN) are each affected by the same general fundamental forces that affect all of the companies in the Publishing - Periodicals industry. However, if you dig down into the short interest for each stock and calculate their short-interest ratios, you will see that stock traders have less confidence in Meredith Corp. than they do in the other two.

Short-interest ratios tell you how long---on average---it will take short traders to cover their short positions on a particular stock. Take these three stocks for instance.

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Meredith Corp. has a current short ratio of 7.9 . That means it would take approximately 7.9 days for traders to cover their short positions.

Reed Elsevier plc has a current short ratio of .92. That means it would take approximately .92 days for traders to cover their short positions.

THOMSON REUTERS ADR has a current short ratio of 1.58. That means it would take approximately 1.58 days for traders to cover their short positions.

Typically, the higher the short ratio, the more bearish traders are on a stock. So out of these three stocks in the Publishing - Periodicals industry, Reed Elsevier plc seems to be in the best shape in the minds of traders and Meredith Corp. is in the worst shape.

Of course, stocks with too much short interest are always in danger of becoming the target of a short squeeze so make sure to watch for those stocks with high levels of short interest to suddenly take off on any signs of good fundamental or economic news.

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