How It Works
- 1
Identify overvalued asset or fraud
- 2
Borrow shares from a broker/custodian
- 3
Sell shares immediately into the market
- 4
Wait for price collapse
- 5
Buy back ('cover') at lower price to return shares
Key Mechanics
Asymmetric risk: max gain is 100%, max loss is infinite
Cost of carry: must pay interest on borrowed shares
Squeeze risk: forced buy-ins if price spikes
Regulatory constraints: up-tick rules, ban on naked shorting
Regulatory Context
Heavily regulated. 'Naked' shorting (selling without borrowing) is illegal. Disclosure rules vary by jurisdiction.