Shortman in the tabular data (below the chart) reports daily "shorts as % of volume" (trading volume, not issued capital). In last 4 weeks this % varies from 10-74%, average 31%. Beginner's qn: Short sells are all supposed to be reported (though is this enforced?) but what about when short sellers buy, in order to repay their loan? My guess: purchases by shorters are not reported.
Twice in the last month reported short trade (for GXY) has exceeded 50% of turnover. If ALL such shorted trades are sells, not buybacks by shorters, then it means the duration of the loan to shorters exceeds 1 day. What is the duration of loans to shorters? Perhaps flexible, with fee proportional to time borrowed?
Shorters can borrow from supplier A on day 1, sell, then re-buy at a lower rate on the market some time later. But, can they borrow from supplier B and use them to repay supplier A? If so that might further disguise what is going on. But, I presume, shares from supplier B cannot go straight to supplier A (via the shorter) but would have to be publicly traded.
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