Deutsche Bank, which earlier this week announced a fourth quarter loss of €4.8bn ($6.1bn), is now the most heavily shorted stock of more than 20 prominent European banks, as shorting restrictions across the region force hedge funds to focus attention on a handful of financial institutions.

According to figures from Data Explorers, the percentage of Deutsche Bank shares being shorted at close of business on Wednesday was 12.36%, the highest figure since June last year.