My knowledge is limited, but my guess is the only truly reliable...

My knowledge is limited, but my guess is the only truly reliable way you can manipulate a price (if that's what you wanted to do) is to find a company with very low liquidity and limited market depth. Then if you sell or buy huge volumes into existing orders at several price points you move the price with your own stupidity/desperation. This is similar to what happens right after CRs when sophs sell millions of shares for quick profit, or before announcements when 'friends of' buy up big at any cost because they know they'll still make money. Otherwise it'll always depend on who else is out there to buy and sell shares, or get sucked into any capping or dynamic price trickery you perform.