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Delve into the world of shorting stocks with our comprehensive introduction. This technique allows investors to potentially profit when a stock's value declines. Learn the differences between cash and margin accounts, and the risks involved in selling borrowed shares. Understand the mechanics of short selling, including how to mitigate risks and the implications of short squeezes. While high returns are possible, the practice often resembles gambling and can lead to infinite losses. Decide if short selling aligns with your investment strategy.
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YoungInvestors Shorting Stocks Tutorial
Introduction • Investing technique which allows money to be made when a stock drops in value • Opposite of long selling • Involves risks
What is it? • Cash account vs. Margin account • Selling of stock that the owner doesn’t own • Sell shares borrowed from the firm with the promise of returning the same number of shares • Can short a stock for as long as you want, although interest is charged on margin • Do not get dividends since stock is borrowed
Why Short? • Potential for very high returns high risk • “Gambling” on stocks • Can earn a quick profit if you guess trends in the market correctly • Often for day traders, who closely monitor the market • In some senses, its the opposite of buying a stock
The Transaction • Must have a margin account, as liability is unlimited • “Sell Short” or “Buy to cover”
Risks • A gamble betting against overall direction of the market • Losses can be infinite you lose money when the stock price increases, stocks can potentially increase infinitely • Borrowed money Borrowing money from brokerage firm using investment as collateral • Short squeezes high demand for a stock triggered from news in the market can lead to inflation, increasing demand and stock price • Right at the wrong time may take a lot of time for the price of a stock to come down
Ethics • Critics see short selling as bad for the market and unethical (manipulation) • Short selling increases volume and liquidity (difference at which shares can be bought and sold) • Some unethical traders take short positions, manipulate stock prices using smear campaign, and then make profit
Conclusion • Short-Selling is a great tool if it fits your preferences of risk and investment style • Investor sells borrowed shares in hopes of making profit when the price of the shares go down • Subject to rules of margin trading • Shorter must pay rights and dividends to owner of shares from whom they borrowed from • There are restrictions to which stocks can be shorted and when