To sell short means to sell shares you borrowed, intending to buy them back at a lower price. This strategy is used to profit from a market that is expected to decline. Short selling has been linked to market crashes and temporarily prohibited multiple times worldwide. The uptick rule in the United States is a law that limits short selling to cases where the next quoted price is higher than the previous bid. Extensive research shows that short selling has a positive impact on market efficiency and information, leading to the replacement of the uptick rule with more relaxed measures.
Basics
In the wake of the 1929 stock market crash and the subsequent Great Depression, short selling has often been held responsible for market downturns. This practice involves investors borrowing and selling shares, aiming to profit by repurchasing them at a lower price.
Recognizing the need to curtail excessive downward pressure, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed limitations on short-sale transactions following the Great Depression. Despite the criticism and ethical concerns surrounding short selling as a bet against growth, economists and financial experts acknowledge its vital role in maintaining a well-functioning market. Short selling provides liquidity to buyers and facilitates price discovery. However, exchanges and regulators occasionally impose restrictions or bans on this practice. Let's delve into some of these measures.
The History of Short Selling Bans
Throughout the annals of financial history, regulators and lawmakers have resorted to the temporary or permanent prohibition of short selling. Such measures aimed to restore investor trust and stabilize declining markets, with the belief that short selling either sparked or exacerbated crises.
In the early 1600s, the Amsterdam stock exchange enforced a temporary ban on short selling after a prominent short seller was accused of manipulating prices in the Dutch East India Company's stock. Similarly, in the aftermath of the South Sea Bubble in 1720, the British government imposed a ban on short-selling.
More recently, during the 2008 financial crisis, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada, and several other countries implemented temporary bans and short-selling restrictions.
Governments worldwide have taken various measures to limit or regulate short selling due to its association with numerous stock market sell-offs and financial crises. However, outright bans have typically been rescinded, as short selling remains an integral part of daily market trading.
Market Stability Measures: The Evolution of the Uptick Rule
Throughout its existence, the uptick rule has played a significant role in maintaining market equilibrium. Enacted after the Great Depression in 1938, this rule restricted short selling to occur only when a stock's most recent previous sale had an uptick. In practical terms, this meant that if the last trade took place at $17.86, a short sale could be executed only if the next bid price was at least $17.87. The intention was to prevent excessive selling pressure from short sellers and maintain balance in the market.
However, studies conducted over the years have shown that the uptick rule provides no additional relief during bear markets. Consequently, in 2007, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission repealed the uptick rule, granting short sellers more freedom. This decision proved consequential, as short sellers took advantage of it during the subsequent stock market crash 2008.
Subsequently, the SEC revised the rule, reintroducing the uptick rule for certain stocks experiencing a price drop of more than 10% from the previous day's close.
The alternative uptick rule, known as Rule 201, was put into effect in 2010. It enables investors to sell their long positions before short selling is allowed. It is triggered when a stock price experiences a one-day decline of at least 10%. At that point, short selling is permitted only if the price exceeds the current best bid. The aim is to maintain investor confidence and foster market stability during extreme stress and volatility periods.
Regulation SHO: Safeguarding Against Naked Shorts
Safeguarding the integrity of short selling involves ensuring the availability of stocks for sale. Stocks must be readily accessible by broker-dealers for delivery at settlement, otherwise resulting in a failed delivery or what is known as a naked short sale. While this may be considered reneging in a stock trade, alternative strategies such as options contracts or futures can achieve similar positions.
To address these concerns, the SEC introduced Regulation SHO in 2005. This legislation aimed to update and enhance the rules surrounding short sale practices. Regulation SHO implemented two crucial standards: the "locate" and "close-out" standards, primarily targeting the prevention of naked short-selling and other unethical activities.
Under the "locate" standard, brokers must reasonably believe that the equity to be short sold can be borrowed and delivered to the short seller on a specific date before engaging in short selling. Meanwhile, the "close-out" standard imposes stricter delivery requirements on securities that experience numerous extended delivery failures at a clearing agency.
Conclusion
Short selling plays a vital role in enhancing market efficiency by increasing liquidity and aiding in determining prices. Extensive research has validated this notion, demonstrating that regulations such as the uptick rule or short-selling bans did not foster stability.
In today's global landscape, short selling continues to be legal in many jurisdictions. Temporary bans or restrictions imposed during market turmoil are typically lifted once the crises subside, underscoring the recognition of short selling's integral role in the functioning of financial markets.