Short Activity in PNV, page-6134

According to S&P, the average fee on Australian equities was 0.59% (annualised) in July. That's about $8m revenue across the market. Note that borrow fees are skewed by "specials", think of stocks that are in very high demand, like a Gamestop or whatever. You'll also find that the borrower must lodge collateral with their lender and the lender can earn interest on cash collateral or loan fees if it subsequently lends out the collateral stock.

So for a typical stock loan that is completely collateralised with cash, you'd be up for paying around 0.5% p.a in most stocks and give over your cash that you could have earned the cash rate on. Retail punters shorting things via CFD might want to ponder on the implied borrow cost on their short positions and how much their provider is making off them (sorry off-topic).

K2M got it right in that long term asset owners are happy to lend out stock and pick up a small tailwind of return because they are going to hold anyway.

No to the last question.