I actually think that this whole scenario this year has been a...

I actually think that this whole scenario this year has been a staged managed production. Savvy retail investors could ride the same wagon if they want, but ive noticed this pattern has started playing out with almost clockwork regularity every 10 years or so.

I.e.

They sell a previous $30 stock, for a on paper loss, realise the capital loss, and buy it back the next day.

Thing is, they may have held it up to $30 from an original $15. They put back in what they take out, use the capital loss to offset gains in the other pump and dump of the year (in this case, Ill use APT as an example). They make off like bandits paying minimal tax having collected all the dividends along the way, and keep their original holdings in the process maybe losing a few dollars on the sell and re-buy of these banks on the way back up.

Think about it. It makes perfect sense with respect to how the prices have moved here this year.

The intrinsic value off these stocks and the share market wipe in general seems more like manipulation to me than anything else. As always, its not clear.