DrunkFace wrote:
JohnG@lt wrote:
DrunkFace wrote:
Short selling is such a scam, I have no idea how they can justify it's legality in the US.
Umm, why? It's the same as a normal trade, just in reverse. The same risks apply.
You're selling something you don't own.
No, you're buying a stock at a lower level than and replacing the stock of someone else.
Person A is holding a stock they bought at $50. Person B "borrows" the stock, sells it, and rebuys the stock at $47. He then replaces Person A's stock with the shares bought at $47. Person A receives a fee for allowing his stock to be used. Person B gains $3 minus the shorting fee. Everyone makes money in this situation. Person B takes on the risk that the shares will not decrease in price and if that happens he is out whatever the cost increased by plus the fee. Person A simply mitigates the losses he would've taken by holding the stock long term through a dip (or makes a profit if the shorter made the wrong decision). There is a lot of risk involved. It is by no means 'free money'.
Last edited by JohnG@lt (2011-01-06 06:01:23)