Market makers play a critical role in the investing world by providing liquidity for a variety of securities, including penny stocks. But do market makers short penny stocks, as well? Read on to find out.
About Penny Stocks
Penny stocks are company shares priced at $5 or less.
They are traded on over-the-counter (OTC) exchanges or pink sheets, which are markets that are not as regulated as major stock exchanges like Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange.
Penny stocks are often subject to fraud and manipulation.
They are also generally much more volatile than larger, more established blue-chip stocks, meaning they can rise and fall in value rapidly.
This makes them a risky investment, but one with the potential for large returns if you pick the right stock.
Related: The 9 Best Tech Penny Stocks To Buy Now
The 9 Best Biotech Penny Stocks to Buy Now
What Is a Market Maker?
A market maker is a broker-dealer who sets bids and asks for quotes for a number of shares to assist in trading in a particular security. Market makers play an important role in providing liquidity to the markets, as they are always ready to buy or sell securities.
To make a profit, market makers charge a small fee for their services.
They also take on the risk of holding inventory, as they may be required to buy or sell securities at unfavorable prices to keep the market liquid.
Market makers are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Do Market Makers Short Penny Stocks?
Market makers do short penny stocks. In fact, this is not just limited to penny stocks.
Here’s a quote directly from the SEC:
“Because it may take a market maker considerable time to purchase or arrange to borrow the security, a market maker engaged in bona fide market making, particularly in a fast-moving market, may need to sell the security short without having arranged to borrow shares. This is especially true for market makers in thinly traded, illiquid stocks as there may be few shares available to purchase or borrow at a given time.”
Now that you know that market makers can short penny stocks, let’s take a look at other key players that invest in and short these securities.
Who Actually Shorts and Invests in Penny Stocks?
Market makers aren’t the only investors who deal in penny stocks.
Others include:
- Penny Stock Traders: These individuals have usually been trading penny stocks for a long time, and know how to navigate the volatile and often unpredictable world of penny stocks.
- Corporate Insiders: People who work for or are close to a company can sometimes get information that the general public doesn’t have access to. This gives them an advantage when it comes to shorting and investing in penny stocks.
- Hedge Funds: These investment firms often trade penny stocks as part of their overall strategy. They usually have teams of analysts who research companies before investing.
- Speculators: These investors usually don’t have any special knowledge about the companies they invest in. They may buy shares based on rumors or tips, and they may sell as soon as the price goes up a bit. They also can hold short positions.
These are just some groups that short or invest in penny stocks. There are many more.
How to Short Sell Penny Stocks
There are a few different ways to short-sell penny stocks. The most common method is to borrow shares of the stock from a broker and then sell the shares in the open market.
The hope is that the price of the stock will go down so that the shares can be bought back at a lower price and returned to the broker. And the short seller gets to keep the difference.
Another way to short-sell penny stocks is through buying put options.
Investors buy put options for the right to sell a stock at a specified price that they believe is higher than market value.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, market makers engage in short selling to stabilize the market. And this includes penny stocks.
But at the end of the day, it really depends on the individual market maker and their strategy.
You might also like:
Tags:
