Name: Tayyaba Tariq

Roll No:BSAF20-028
Section: A

Why Short Selling is so risky?

Short selling is a trading strategy where an investor borrows and sells an asset (such as stocks,
currencies, or commodities) that they don't currently own, hoping that the asset's price will
decrease. The investor's goal is to buy back the asset at a lower price and return it to the lender,
pocketing the difference as profit. While short selling can be a profitable strategy under the right
circumstances, it also comes with significant risks, some of which include:
 Unlimited potential losses: Unlike buying a stock, where the maximum loss is limited to
the amount invested, short selling exposes the investor to unlimited losses. If the price of
the shorted asset rises significantly, there's no upper limit to how much the investor may
lose when they eventually buy it back.
 Time constraints: Unlike long-term investments, short sellers have limited time to
achieve their desired outcome. They must accurately time the market to avoid being
forced to cover their short position at an unfavorable price, which can lead to substantial
losses.
 Squeezes and short squeezes: When many short sellers are active in a particular asset
and its price starts rising, they may scramble to cover their positions to avoid further
losses. This rush to buy back shares can cause a sharp price increase, creating a "short
squeeze." As more short sellers buy back the asset, the price can skyrocket rapidly,
causing significant losses for those who haven't covered their positions yet.
 Dividend payments and borrowing costs: While short selling, the investor must pay
any dividends or distributions to the lender of the asset. Additionally, borrowing the asset
comes with associated fees, so the longer the short position is held, the higher the
borrowing costs can become.
 Market volatility: Markets can be highly unpredictable, and short sellers are exposed to
higher risks during volatile periods. Unexpected news or events can cause rapid price
movements, which can work against short positions.
 Investor sentiment: Short selling is often seen as a bet against a company's success, and
negative sentiment towards the short seller's actions can lead to adverse consequences,
including public backlash or regulatory scrutiny.
Is there any short selling happen in efficient market?
Yes, short selling can occur in efficient markets. In an efficient market, prices of assets are
believed to reflect all available information, and they adjust rapidly to any new information.
Efficient markets are characterized by a high degree of competition among investors, quick
dissemination of news and information, and the absence of significant market inefficiencies or
anomalies.
Short selling in an efficient market is based on the belief that some assets might be overvalued,
and investors take short positions in the hope of profiting from a price decline. While the concept
of efficient markets suggests that all available information is already incorporated into asset
prices, there can still be differences in opinions among investors, leading to short selling
opportunities.
Short sellers in efficient markets typically analyze various factors, including fundamental
analysis, technical indicators, market sentiment, and other relevant information to identify
potential overvalued assets or areas of the market. They may also use short selling as a way to
hedge their overall investment portfolio against potential downside risks.
It's important to note that even in efficient markets, short selling can still be a risky strategy, as
asset prices can be influenced by unexpected events or changes in market sentiment. Investors
engaging in short selling should be mindful of the inherent risks and employ risk management
strategies to protect their positions. Additionally, regulations and restrictions on short selling
may vary across different markets and jurisdictions, which can affect the availability and conduct
of short selling activities.