living underwater, page-4

I am not sure that all shorting is designed to drive down a company's share price. e.g. No one seriously believes BHP is in trouble, but also clearly there is not a lot of upside on the SP atm. Borrowing stock and then selling it gives the short seller very cheap, short term, money to play with.

In the case of LNC they also can make a profit on the deal, not because it is a weak company but because it does not enjoy much buyer support atm.

Speaking personally, I both hate it and love it. I hate it because the depressed SP is inflicting an opportunity cost upon me. I know enough about what I am doing to be confident, that when the price is sensible. I can realistically engage in some swing trading. But also I love it, because I have been buying whenever can afford to, knowing I am getting something like an 80% discount. Buy 1 get 4 free ... I bet the people who like BHP would go for a deal like that!