BUZZ-Mercury General falls after Wolfpack Research reveals short position

Shares of Los Angeles-based insurer Mercury General MCY.N fall as much as 4.3%; last down 2.4% at $48.74

Wolfpack Research says it is shorting MCY, claiming that the firm's California subsidiary is "deep underwater" as it estimates more than $2 bln in losses following the Los Angeles fires

MCY did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment

Reuters could not independently verify the claims in the report

Wolfpack alleges MCY "management seems slow to share the true extent of its exposure with investors"

MCY stock down 24.5% so far this year