ASX Short Sale Positions
Daily update on all companies
Background
The goal of this page is to better inform ASX investors of short selling in the market.
Although short position data does not provide tradable signals, a large increase or decrease in a company’s short positions can be an early indicator of changing investor sentiment. It can also be used to uncover what the “professional money” is doing.
To see how short selling allows investors to profit from a falling market, read the "What is Short Selling?" tutorial under the table.
Short Sale Data
Short sale data shows the amount of shares on issue currently reported as short sold.
The data is four trading days behind today's date as reporting isn’t mandatory until 9am (Sydney) three business days (T+3) post trade.
Since June 2010 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has required all stockbrokers to report their total short sale positions daily. This information is released four business days (T+4) after the trade on ASIC’s website.
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) publishes a list of short sale transactions reported on the most recent trading day.
Open ASX Short Positions
Data: 17 May 2019
| Code | Company | Short | Week Mvt | Days to Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ING | Inghams Group | 17.15% | +0.59% | 49.7 |
| 2 | SYR | Syrah Resources | 16.68% | -0.97% | 12.1 |
| 3 | NUF | Nufarm Limited | 15.54% | +0.16% | 35.2 |
| 4 | JBH | JB Hi-Fi Limited | 15.29% | +0.72% | 21.5 |
| 5 | NXT | NEXTDC Limited | 14.98% | -0.05% | 32.8 |
| 6 | GXY | Galaxy Resources | 13.92% | 0.00% | 17.3 |
| 7 | BAL | Bellamy's Australia | 13.24% | +0.29% | 13.6 |
| 8 | ORE | Orocobre Limited | 12.31% | -0.07% | 26.5 |
| 9 | BWX | BWX Limited | 11.87% | +0.70% | 18.6 |
| 10 | MTS | Metcash Limited | 11.57% | -0.10% | 44.0 |
| 11 | SDA | Speedcast Int Limited | 10.74% | +0.78% | 26.7 |
| 12 | BIN | Bingo Industries Limited | 10.35% | +1.82% | 13.1 |
| 13 | IFL | IOOF Holdings Limited | 9.92% | +1.92% | 23.1 |
| 14 | SUL | Super Ret Rep Limited | 9.56% | -0.02% | 18.2 |
| 15 | KGN | Kogan.com Limited | 9.28% | +0.19% | 17.5 |
| 16 | BKL | Blackmores Limited | 9.21% | +0.14% | 32.5 |
| 17 | PPT | Perpetual Limited | 9.19% | -0.18% | 35.7 |
| 18 | HVN | Harvey Norman | 9% | +0.30% | 23.1 |
| 19 | PLS | Pilbara Min Limited | 8.98% | -0.29% | 21.5 |
| 20 | IVC | Invocare Limited | 8.94% | -0.33% | 33.9 |
| 21 | CSR | CSR Limited | 8.92% | -0.07% | 5.7 |
| 22 | DMP | Domino PIZZA Enterpr | 8.91% | +0.42% | 15.8 |
| 23 | MYR | Myer Holdings Limited | 8.83% | +0.31% | 47.3 |
| 24 | SGM | Sims Metal MGMT Limited | 8.74% | +0.11% | 13.3 |
| 25 | RWC | Reliance Worldwide | 8.64% | +1.19% | 8.7 |
| 26 | HUB | HUB24 Limited | 8.35% | +0.01% | 30.1 |
| 27 | AMC | Amcor Limited | 8.16% | +0.12% | 29.3 |
| 28 | BOQ | Bank of Queensland | 7.95% | +0.06% | 9.0 |
| 29 | BGA | Bega Cheese Limited | 7.8% | +0.13% | 33.6 |
| 30 | AMP | AMP Limited | 6.98% | +0.10% | 20.6 |
| 31 | QIN | Quintis Limited | 6.7% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 32 | WSA | Western Areas Limited | 6.62% | +1.07% | 17.0 |
| 33 | CGF | Challenger Limited | 6.48% | +0.11% | 18.8 |
| 34 | MSB | Mesoblast Limited | 6% | 0.00% | 74.0 |
| 35 | SEK | Seek Limited | 5.97% | +0.27% | 23.6 |
| 36 | RSG | Resolute Mining | 5.87% | -0.04% | 12.1 |
| 37 | GMA | Genworth Mortgage | 5.68% | +0.19% | 32.4 |
| 38 | NEC | Nine Entertainment | 5.37% | +0.02% | 6.0 |
| 39 | MLX | Metals X Limited | 5.32% | -0.12% | 29.9 |
| 40 | COE | Cooper Energy Limited | 5.25% | -0.18% | 12.3 |
| 41 | BEN | Bendigo and Adelaide | 5.22% | +0.75% | 11.0 |
| 42 | HT1 | HT&E Limited | 5.09% | -0.02% | 243.0 |
| 43 | CLQ | Clean TEQ Holdings Limited | 5.02% | +0.06% | 40.6 |
| 44 | CGC | Costa Group Holdings | 4.93% | -0.27% | 8.8 |
| 45 | CTD | Corp Travel Limited | 4.88% | +0.09% | 15.0 |
| 46 | LNG | Liquefied Natural | 4.81% | +0.34% | 14.2 |
| 47 | CLH | Collection House | 4.8% | 0.00% | 36.4 |
| 48 | ARB | ARB Corporation | 4.79% | -0.05% | 39.7 |
| 49 | FLT | Flight Centre Travel | 4.78% | -0.44% | 12.5 |
| 50 | SXY | SENEX Energy Limited | 4.78% | +0.25% | 36.4 |
| 51 | CAR | Carsales.com Limited | 4.57% | -0.03% | 13.8 |
| 52 | KAR | Karoon Energy Limited | 4.47% | -0.02% | 27.8 |
| 53 | RIO | RIO Tinto Limited | 4.43% | -0.17% | 11.2 |
| 54 | WGX | Westgold Resources | 4.36% | +0.33% | 5.6 |
| 55 | MIN | Mineral Resources | 4.32% | +0.20% | 6.1 |
| 56 | DHG | Domain Holdings Aus | 4.22% | -0.24% | 10.5 |
| 57 | DCN | Dacian Gold Limited | 4.18% | -0.04% | 7.9 |
| 58 | JHX | James Hardie Indust Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 | 4.09% | -0.04% | 8.2 |
| 59 | IMF | IMF Bentham Limited | 4.09% | +0.17% | 62.1 |
| 60 | A2M | The a2 Milk Company | 4.08% | -0.01% | 15.9 |
| 61 | SAR | Saracen Mineral | 4.07% | +0.12% | 10.9 |
| 62 | ECX | Eclipx Group Limited | 4.06% | +0.74% | 3.3 |
| 63 | RHC | Ramsay Health Care | 4.01% | +0.01% | 14.5 |
| 64 | SKI | Spark Infrastructure Stapled $0.65 Loan Note and Unit US Prohib | 3.95% | +0.10% | 14.8 |
| 65 | APT | Afterpay Touch | 3.83% | +0.09% | 5.7 |
| 66 | ALG | Ardentleisuregrpltd | 3.83% | -0.01% | 31.1 |
| 67 | AAC | Australian Agricult | 3.73% | -0.05% | 40.9 |
| 68 | MRM | Mmaoffshor | 3.71% | +0.07% | 97.1 |
| 69 | NWS | News Corp Class B Voting Common Stock-Cdi 1:1 | 3.69% | -0.39% | 7.4 |
| 70 | NCK | Nick Scali Limited | 3.66% | +0.04% | 21.0 |
| 71 | SFR | Sandfire Resources | 3.62% | +0.28% | 7.9 |
| 72 | VOC | Vocus Group Limited | 3.61% | -0.08% | 13.0 |
| 73 | CQR | Charter Hall Retail Units FP | 3.46% | +0.22% | 13.9 |
| 74 | NAN | Nanosonics Limited | 3.39% | -0.21% | 14.0 |
| 75 | NCZ | New Century Resource | 3.39% | +0.09% | 25.0 |
| 76 | BHP | BHP Group Limited | 3.38% | +0.04% | 18.7 |
| 77 | GWA | GWA Group Limited | 3.3% | +0.01% | 5.7 |
| 78 | AWC | Alumina Limited | 3.23% | +0.01% | 6.4 |
| 79 | OML | Ooh!Media Limited | 3.23% | +0.32% | 6.7 |
| 80 | ASL | Ausdrill Limited | 3.17% | 0.00% | 7.6 |
| 81 | LOV | Lovisa Holdings Limited | 3.16% | +0.29% | 10.0 |
| 82 | CCP | Credit Corp Group | 3.11% | -0.07% | 11.4 |
| 83 | PNI | Pinnacle Investment | 3.11% | -0.16% | 20.0 |
| 84 | MLD | Maca Limited | 3.1% | -0.08% | 38.4 |
| 85 | WHC | Whitehaven Coal | 3.09% | -0.28% | 4.9 |
| 86 | NWL | Netwealth Group | 3.07% | -0.01% | 22.4 |
| 87 | TWE | Treasury Wine Estate | 3.05% | +0.46% | 7.6 |
| 88 | GOR | Gold Road Res Limited | 3.02% | -0.12% | 16.5 |
| 89 | WGN | Wagners HLD Company | 3.01% | +0.55% | 25.4 |
| 90 | REA | REA Group | 3% | +0.25% | 8.2 |
| 91 | SLC | Superloop Limited | 3% | +0.01% | 14.2 |
| 92 | SVW | Seven Group Holdings | 2.95% | +0.12% | 12.7 |
| 93 | LYC | Lynas Corporation | 2.93% | -0.12% | 1.5 |
| 94 | JHC | Japara Healthcare LT | 2.92% | 0.00% | 31.3 |
| 95 | NVT | Navitas Limited | 2.84% | -0.02% | 36.2 |
| 96 | GEM | G8 Education Limited | 2.8% | -0.06% | 6.4 |
| 97 | WOR | Worleyparsons Limited | 2.76% | +0.25% | 11.1 |
| 98 | ALX | Atlas Arteria FP Ordinary Stapled Securities | 2.71% | +0.20% | 11.8 |
| 99 | TAH | Tabcorp Holdings Limited | 2.65% | +0.10% | 10.4 |
| 100 | LLC | Lendlease Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 2.65% | -0.13% | 7.7 |
| 101 | MPL | Medibank Private Limited | 2.59% | -0.06% | 4.6 |
| 102 | TGR | Tassal Group Limited | 2.57% | +0.33% | 10.2 |
| 103 | RRL | Regis Resources | 2.54% | +0.14% | 5.5 |
| 104 | AOG | Aveo Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 2.54% | -0.19% | 8.8 |
| 105 | AHG | Automotive Holdings | 2.52% | -0.01% | 6.6 |
| 106 | SNZ | Summerset Group Holdings Foreign Exempt NZX | 2.52% | -0.09% | 6,490.5 |
| 107 | ANN | Ansell Limited | 2.51% | +0.08% | 6.2 |
| 108 | WOW | Woolworths Group Limited | 2.5% | +0.06% | 6.1 |
| 109 | RCR | RCR Tomlinson | 2.49% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 110 | INR | Ioneer Limited | 2.49% | +0.08% | 30.1 |
| 111 | PTM | Platinum Asset | 2.46% | -0.14% | 10.8 |
| 112 | PGH | Pact Group Holdings Limited | 2.43% | +0.24% | 9.9 |
| 113 | WBC | Westpac Banking Corp | 2.42% | +0.29% | 5.6 |
| 114 | NST | Northern Star | 2.31% | -0.47% | 6.6 |
| 115 | JHG | Janus Henderson Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 | 2.31% | -0.12% | 5.7 |
| 116 | HLS | Healius | 2.3% | -0.14% | 14.4 |
| 117 | SPL | Starpharma Holdings | 2.29% | +0.02% | 27.2 |
| 118 | TNE | Technology One | 2.28% | -0.07% | 2.9 |
| 119 | PNC | Pioneer Credit Limited | 2.26% | +0.12% | 11.1 |
| 120 | NSR | National Storage FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 2.23% | -0.02% | 11.5 |
| 121 | SKC | Skycity Ent Group Limited Foreign Exempt NZX | 2.15% | +0.01% | 50.5 |
| 122 | MGR | Mirvac Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 2.1% | -0.23% | 6.1 |
| 123 | BAP | Bapcor Limited | 2.06% | +0.04% | 6.0 |
| 124 | IFN | Infigen Energy FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 1.98% | -0.01% | 17.8 |
| 125 | IRI | Integrated Research | 1.92% | +0.02% | 17.7 |
| 126 | WES | Wesfarmers Limited | 1.91% | +0.06% | 8.6 |
| 127 | WTC | Wisetech Global Limited | 1.85% | +0.45% | 9.6 |
| 128 | API | Australian Pharm | 1.81% | -0.17% | 5.9 |
| 129 | MYX | Mayne Pharma Limited | 1.79% | +0.61% | 3.6 |
| 130 | FXL | Flexigroup Limited | 1.77% | -0.04% | 3.8 |
| 131 | FNP | Freedom Food Limited | 1.76% | 0.00% | 53.7 |
| 132 | FMG | Fortescue Metals Group | 1.73% | +0.44% | 2.5 |
| 133 | CBA | Commonwealth Bank | 1.72% | +0.05% | 5.9 |
| 134 | EHL | Emeco Holdings | 1.7% | -0.06% | 3.2 |
| 135 | FBU | Fletcher Building Foreign Exempt NZX | 1.67% | +0.08% | 26.7 |
| 136 | CCL | Coca-Cola Amatil | 1.66% | +0.17% | 6.3 |
| 137 | JMS | Jupiter Mines | 1.63% | 0.00% | 6.2 |
| 138 | SEA | Sundance Energy | 1.62% | +0.01% | 7.0 |
| 139 | DOW | Downer Edi Limited | 1.62% | +0.01% | 8.7 |
| 140 | AYS | Amaysim Aus Limited | 1.58% | -0.01% | 22.9 |
| 141 | FAR | FAR Limited | 1.57% | -0.01% | 43.7 |
| 142 | SDF | Steadfast Group Limited | 1.56% | 0.00% | 10.7 |
| 143 | COL | Coles Group | 1.55% | -0.10% | 6.9 |
| 144 | IGO | Independence Group | 1.54% | -0.04% | 7.1 |
| 145 | CWN | Crown Resorts Limited | 1.54% | +0.17% | 12.2 |
| 146 | BWP | BWP Trust Ordinary Units FP | 1.5% | -0.02% | 12.0 |
| 147 | QUB | QUBE Holdings Limited | 1.5% | +0.18% | 12.7 |
| 148 | CUV | Clinuvel Pharmaceut | 1.49% | -0.12% | 3.8 |
| 149 | KDR | Kidman Resources Limited | 1.49% | -0.63% | 2.3 |
| 150 | AMA | AMA Group Limited | 1.49% | -0.07% | 2.5 |
| 151 | NHF | Nib Holdings Limited | 1.48% | +0.12% | 3.9 |
| 152 | PNV | Polynovo Limited | 1.47% | 0.00% | 9.3 |
| 153 | EHE | Estia Health Limited | 1.47% | +0.23% | 8.3 |
| 154 | CMW | Cromwell Prop FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 1.44% | -0.02% | 11.3 |
| 155 | ABC | Adelaide Brighton | 1.43% | +0.58% | 2.4 |
| 156 | SBM | ST Barbara Limited | 1.41% | +0.09% | 0.7 |
| 157 | RFG | Retail Food Group | 1.39% | 0.00% | 6.6 |
| 158 | GUD | G.U.D. Holdings | 1.37% | +0.05% | 4.7 |
| 159 | AJM | Altura Mining Limited | 1.36% | +0.08% | 4.6 |
| 160 | REG | Regis Healthcare Limited | 1.36% | -0.02% | 23.2 |
| 161 | NEA | Nearmap Limited | 1.33% | +0.14% | 2.0 |
| 162 | DLX | Duluxgroup Limited | 1.33% | +0.48% | 2.9 |
| 163 | SOL | Soul Pattinson (W.H) | 1.29% | +0.04% | 9.6 |
| 164 | SHL | Sonic Healthcare | 1.29% | -0.14% | 6.8 |
| 165 | TCL | Transurban Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 1.28% | -0.02% | 8.4 |
| 166 | MND | Monadelphous Group | 1.27% | -0.33% | 6.0 |
| 167 | SGP | Stockland FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 1.25% | -0.11% | 1.7 |
| 168 | SYD | SYD Airport FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 1.23% | -0.04% | 5.8 |
| 169 | MFG | Magellan Fin Group Limited | 1.21% | -0.02% | 4.3 |
| 170 | ELD | Elders Limited | 1.2% | +0.23% | 1.4 |
| 171 | PDL | Pendal Group Limited | 1.2% | +0.11% | 3.0 |
| 172 | VEA | Viva Energy Group | 1.18% | +0.04% | 5.2 |
| 173 | NAB | National Aust. Bank | 1.16% | +0.08% | 2.6 |
| 174 | AGL | AGL Energy Limited | 1.15% | -0.41% | 3.3 |
| 175 | BLA | Blue Sky Limited | 1.14% | +0.06% | 7.3 |
| 176 | WEB | Webjet Limited | 1.13% | -0.09% | 1.7 |
| 177 | IPD | Impedimed Limited | 1.13% | +0.03% | 6.2 |
| 178 | DDR | Dicker Data Limited | 1.12% | +0.05% | 5.8 |
| 179 | AHY | Asaleo Care Limited | 1.11% | +0.02% | 38.4 |
| 180 | OFX | OFX Group Limited | 1.11% | 0.00% | 5.9 |
| 181 | ORI | Orica Limited | 1.11% | +0.13% | 5.1 |
| 182 | BPT | Beach Energy Limited | 1.1% | +0.02% | 6.9 |
| 183 | LNK | Link Admin HLDG | 1.09% | -0.19% | 5.1 |
| 184 | A2B | A2B Australia Limited | 1.08% | -1.26% | 31.9 |
| 185 | ASX | ASX Limited | 1.08% | -0.03% | 8.2 |
| 186 | MMS | Mcmillan Shakespeare | 1.07% | +0.16% | 3.3 |
| 187 | S32 | SOUTH32 Limited | 1.06% | -0.01% | 2.9 |
| 188 | AGI | Ainsworth Game Tech | 1.06% | -0.01% | 77.7 |
| 189 | BRG | Breville Group Limited | 1.06% | +0.24% | 7.4 |
| 190 | ANZ | ANZ Banking Group Limited | 1.05% | -0.14% | 3.0 |
| 191 | BLX | Beacon Lighting Group | 1.02% | -0.01% | 5.7 |
| 192 | AST | Ausnet Services Limited | 1.02% | -0.21% | 8.6 |
| 193 | OZL | OZ Minerals | 1.01% | +0.17% | 1.5 |
| 194 | DXS | Dexus FP Units Stapled Securities | 0.99% | +0.08% | 4.1 |
| 195 | BSL | Bluescope Steel Limited | 0.97% | +0.15% | 1.1 |
| 196 | CTX | Caltex Australia | 0.96% | +0.09% | 2.6 |
| 197 | VCX | Vicinity Centres FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.95% | +0.02% | 4.0 |
| 198 | AZJ | Aurizon Holdings Limited | 0.94% | -0.20% | 2.6 |
| 199 | GNC | Graincorp Limited Class A | 0.94% | +0.05% | 1.6 |
| 200 | SIV | Silver Chef Limited | 0.94% | 0.00% | 6.5 |
| 201 | URW | Unibailrodawestfield Chess Depositary Interests 20:1 | 0.93% | +0.19% | 5.5 |
| 202 | NWH | NRW Holdings Limited | 0.93% | +0.03% | 1.0 |
| 203 | MOC | Mortgage Choice Limited | 0.92% | +0.09% | 2.7 |
| 204 | SCP | Sca Property Group FP Units Stapled Securities | 0.91% | -0.07% | 4.4 |
| 205 | EML | EML Payments Limited | 0.9% | 0.00% | 1.6 |
| 206 | ORG | Origin Energy | 0.9% | +0.20% | 2.7 |
| 207 | SPK | Spark New Zealand Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.9% | +0.07% | 17.5 |
| 208 | BKW | Brickworks Limited | 0.89% | +0.13% | 3.4 |
| 209 | QBE | QBE Insurance Group | 0.89% | -0.02% | 4.8 |
| 210 | PDN | Paladin Energy Limited | 0.88% | -0.07% | 5.4 |
| 211 | ISU | Iselect Limited | 0.86% | -0.05% | 21.8 |
| 212 | CPU | Computershare Limited | 0.86% | -0.10% | 1.9 |
| 213 | NWSLV | News Corp Class A Non-Voting Common Stock-Cdi 1:1 | 0.85% | -0.12% | 0.0 |
| 214 | TPM | TPG Telecom Limited | 0.84% | -0.02% | 6.5 |
| 215 | JIN | Jumbo Interactive | 0.83% | +0.80% | 1.1 |
| 216 | CL1 | Class Limited | 0.83% | -0.07% | 2.4 |
| 217 | ARQ | ARQ Group Limited | 0.83% | -0.01% | 6.6 |
| 218 | RMS | Ramelius Resources | 0.82% | -0.13% | 3.4 |
| 219 | EWC | Energy World Corpor | 0.82% | 0.00% | 13.3 |
| 220 | NCM | Newcrest Mining | 0.8% | +0.10% | 2.9 |
| 221 | IEL | Idp Education Limited | 0.79% | +0.03% | 2.2 |
| 222 | GOZ | Growthpoint Property FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.79% | +0.02% | 12.9 |
| 223 | CIP | Centuria I REIT Ordinary Units FP | 0.77% | +0.01% | 11.4 |
| 224 | SLK | Sealink Travel Group | 0.76% | 0.00% | 16.6 |
| 225 | WZR | Wisr Limited | 0.74% | +0.74% | 0.4 |
| 226 | EVN | Evolution Mining Limited | 0.72% | +0.43% | 1.4 |
| 227 | CIM | Cimic Group Limited | 0.69% | +0.08% | 6.7 |
| 228 | MNY | MONEY3 Corporation | 0.68% | -0.01% | 5.1 |
| 229 | LVT | Livetiles Limited | 0.68% | +0.16% | 1.2 |
| 230 | RMD | Resmed Inc Cdi 10:1 Foreign Exempt NYSE | 0.68% | -0.05% | 2.9 |
| 231 | GRR | Grange Resources | 0.66% | +0.09% | 2.7 |
| 232 | WPL | Woodside Petroleum | 0.64% | -0.02% | 2.8 |
| 233 | IAG | Insurance Australia | 0.64% | +0.07% | 3.7 |
| 234 | ADH | Adairs Limited | 0.63% | -0.01% | 0.5 |
| 235 | COH | Cochlear Limited | 0.6% | +0.03% | 2.1 |
| 236 | SWM | Seven West Media Limited | 0.59% | +0.03% | 1.5 |
| 237 | BUB | Bubs Aust Limited | 0.59% | -0.11% | 0.8 |
| 238 | AVN | Aventus Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.56% | 0.00% | 5.3 |
| 239 | BLD | Boral Limited | 0.55% | -0.07% | 0.8 |
| 240 | S2R | S2 Resources | 0.55% | -0.01% | 4.9 |
| 241 | IPH | IPH Limited | 0.55% | +0.01% | 2.3 |
| 242 | SIG | Sigma Health Limited | 0.55% | -0.09% | 7.6 |
| 243 | IMD | IMDEX Limited | 0.54% | +0.26% | 0.8 |
| 244 | QAN | Qantas Airways | 0.54% | +0.16% | 0.9 |
| 245 | OSH | Oil Search Limited 10 Toea | 0.52% | +0.09% | 2.7 |
| 246 | TLS | Telstra Corporation | 0.51% | -0.01% | 2.2 |
| 247 | MGX | Mount Gibson Iron | 0.49% | +0.03% | 1.7 |
| 248 | MYS | Mystate Limited | 0.49% | +0.03% | 3.0 |
| 249 | WPP | WPP AUNZ Limited | 0.49% | +0.04% | 40.8 |
| 250 | SGR | The Star Ent Group | 0.47% | 0.00% | 1.8 |
| 251 | SCG | Scentre Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.47% | +0.16% | 1.5 |
| 252 | NHC | New Hope Corporation | 0.46% | +0.10% | 1.8 |
| 253 | SIQ | Smartgrp Corporation | 0.46% | +0.08% | 1.4 |
| 254 | BBN | Baby Bunting Group Limited | 0.45% | 0.00% | 4.6 |
| 255 | NZM | NZME Limited Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.45% | -0.04% | 12.4 |
| 256 | MQG | Macquarie Group Limited | 0.45% | -0.05% | 1.2 |
| 257 | HPI | Hotel Property FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.45% | +0.01% | 8.5 |
| 258 | CVN | Carnarvon Petroleum | 0.45% | -0.03% | 2.4 |
| 259 | ALL | Aristocrat Leisure | 0.44% | -0.25% | 1.1 |
| 260 | LON | Longtable Group Limited | 0.42% | +0.03% | 1.1 |
| 261 | Z1P | ZIP Co Limited | 0.42% | -0.02% | 0.5 |
| 262 | TGA | Thorn Group Limited | 0.42% | 0.00% | 3.5 |
| 263 | EOF | Ecofibre Limited | 0.41% | +0.35% | 2.1 |
| 264 | WHA | Wattle Health Au Limited | 0.41% | +0.02% | 1.6 |
| 265 | ALU | Altium Limited | 0.41% | +0.20% | 0.8 |
| 266 | ACR | ACRUX Limited | 0.4% | 0.00% | 13.0 |
| 267 | APA | APA Group FP Units Stapled Securities | 0.4% | +0.06% | 2.7 |
| 268 | EPW | Erm Power Limited | 0.39% | +0.18% | 8.8 |
| 269 | BGL | Bellevue Gold Limited | 0.39% | +0.01% | 1.5 |
| 270 | APX | Appen Limited | 0.36% | -0.06% | 0.7 |
| 271 | IRE | Iress Limited | 0.36% | +0.08% | 1.0 |
| 272 | EXL | Elixinol Global | 0.35% | +0.12% | 0.4 |
| 273 | HSO | Healthscope Limited | 0.35% | -0.66% | 0.3 |
| 274 | IPL | Incitec Pivot | 0.34% | +0.06% | 0.9 |
| 275 | MOD | MOD Resources Limited | 0.34% | +0.01% | 3.6 |
| 276 | SRV | Servcorp Limited | 0.33% | +0.04% | 6.6 |
| 277 | GCY | Gascoyne Res Limited | 0.33% | -0.17% | 1.9 |
| 278 | XRO | Xero Limited | 0.32% | +0.01% | 0.4 |
| 279 | FCC | First Cobalt Corp Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.4 |
| 280 | AMI | Aurelia Metals Limited | 0.32% | +0.12% | 0.6 |
| 281 | A40 | Alliance Mineral | 0.32% | 0.00% | 2.0 |
| 282 | CLA | Celsius Resource Limited | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 283 | AX1 | Accent Group Limited | 0.32% | +0.21% | 2.4 |
| 284 | SHV | Select Harvests | 0.31% | -0.03% | 3.9 |
| 285 | CQE | Charter Hall Edu TR Units FP | 0.3% | +0.03% | 2.9 |
| 286 | PGC | Paragon Care Limited | 0.3% | +0.01% | 2.7 |
| 287 | CLW | CHTR H LWR FP Units Stapled Securities | 0.3% | +0.01% | 1.7 |
| 288 | PME | Pro Medicus Limited | 0.3% | +0.01% | 1.6 |
| 289 | TRS | The Reject Shop | 0.3% | -0.02% | 1.1 |
| 290 | OGC | Oceanagold Corp Chess Depositary Interest 1:1 | 0.3% | -0.05% | 2.0 |
| 291 | RFF | Rural Funds Group FP Units Stapled Securities | 0.29% | +0.04% | 3.6 |
| 292 | GPT | GPT Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.29% | +0.10% | 1.3 |
| 293 | CYB | CYBG Plc Cdi 1:1 Foreign Exempt Lse | 0.29% | -0.13% | 0.6 |
| 294 | AUZ | Australian Mines Limited | 0.29% | 0.00% | 0.4 |
| 295 | ARV | Artemis Resources | 0.28% | 0.00% | 1.8 |
| 296 | SSM | Service Stream | 0.28% | -0.01% | 0.9 |
| 297 | CAT | Catapult Group Int Limited | 0.27% | -0.02% | 2.2 |
| 298 | ILU | Iluka Resources | 0.27% | +0.02% | 0.6 |
| 299 | SUN | Suncorp Group Limited | 0.27% | 0.00% | 1.4 |
| 300 | PPS | Praemium Limited | 0.26% | -0.15% | 0.3 |
| 301 | FBR | FBR Limited | 0.26% | 0.00% | 2.6 |
| 302 | SGF | SG Fleet Group Limited | 0.26% | 0.00% | 6.6 |
| 303 | PRU | Perseus Mining Limited | 0.25% | +0.03% | 1.3 |
| 304 | CDD | Cardno Limited | 0.24% | 0.00% | 2.7 |
| 305 | ATS | Australis Oil & Gas | 0.24% | 0.00% | 8.1 |
| 306 | CSL | CSL Limited | 0.24% | +0.07% | 1.8 |
| 307 | RVR | Red River Resources | 0.22% | +0.05% | 1.8 |
| 308 | HFR | Highfield Res Limited | 0.22% | 0.00% | 14.3 |
| 309 | CDV | Cardinal Reso Limited | 0.22% | 0.00% | 14.3 |
| 310 | EVT | Event Hospitality | 0.21% | -0.01% | 18.0 |
| 311 | MNF | MNF Group Limited | 0.19% | 0.00% | 4.5 |
| 312 | AUB | AUB Group Limited | 0.19% | +0.03% | 2.1 |
| 313 | PMV | Premier Investments | 0.19% | +0.02% | 1.3 |
| 314 | VVR | Viva Energy REIT FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.19% | +0.03% | 1.1 |
| 315 | ISX | Isignthis Limited | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 316 | GMG | Goodman Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.18% | -0.04% | 1.0 |
| 317 | BXB | Brambles Limited | 0.18% | +0.09% | 0.8 |
| 318 | CWY | Cleanaway Waste Limited | 0.18% | -0.02% | 0.8 |
| 319 | ELO | Elmo Software | 0.18% | 0.00% | 1.8 |
| 320 | CWP | Cedar Woods Prop | 0.18% | +0.02% | 2.1 |
| 321 | ERA | Energy Resources 'A' | 0.18% | 0.00% | 2.7 |
| 322 | IGL | Ivegroup | 0.17% | +0.02% | 1.8 |
| 323 | CMA | Centuria Metro REIT Ordinary Units FP | 0.17% | +0.09% | 0.8 |
| 324 | STO | Santos Limited | 0.17% | +0.04% | 0.8 |
| 325 | MNS | Magnis Energy Tech | 0.17% | 0.00% | 2.4 |
| 326 | FPH | Fisher & Paykel H Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.17% | 0.00% | 3.7 |
| 327 | AVH | Avita Medical Limited | 0.17% | +0.04% | 0.4 |
| 328 | VRT | Virtus Health Limited | 0.17% | +0.01% | 1.7 |
| 329 | BOT | Botanix Pharma Limited | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 330 | VLW | Villa World Limited | 0.16% | -0.02% | 0.8 |
| 331 | RBL | Redbubble Limited | 0.16% | 0.00% | 1.0 |
| 332 | SKT | Sky Network | 0.16% | -0.01% | 5.1 |
| 333 | INA | Ingenia Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.16% | -0.01% | 1.8 |
| 334 | ORA | Orora Limited | 0.16% | -0.08% | 0.6 |
| 335 | CHC | Charter Hall Group Stapled Securities US Prohibited | 0.15% | -0.01% | 0.7 |
| 336 | VTG | Vita Group Limited | 0.15% | 0.00% | 1.0 |
| 337 | JRV | Jervois Mining | 0.15% | 0.00% | 1.8 |
| 338 | AXP | Airxpanders Inc Chess Depository Interests 1:3 | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 339 | AD8 | Audinategroupltd | 0.14% | +0.10% | 0.4 |
| 340 | RIC | Ridley Corporation | 0.14% | +0.02% | 5.2 |
| 341 | MHJ | Michael Hill Int | 0.13% | 0.00% | 7.9 |
| 342 | VLT | Vault Intelligence | 0.13% | 0.00% | 1.0 |
| 343 | PAN | Panoramic Resources | 0.13% | +0.05% | 1.9 |
| 344 | VHT | Volpara Health Tech | 0.13% | +0.10% | 0.6 |
| 345 | AIZ | Air New Zealand Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.12% | 0.00% | 13.7 |
| 346 | BKY | Berkeley Energia Limited | 0.12% | -0.01% | 6.3 |
| 347 | ABP | Abacus Property Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.12% | +0.01% | 1.2 |
| 348 | HSN | Hansen Technologies | 0.12% | +0.01% | 0.8 |
| 349 | SXL | STHN Cross Media | 0.12% | -0.04% | 0.7 |
| 350 | JLG | Johns LYNG Group | 0.12% | +0.09% | 0.4 |
| 351 | CCX | City Chic Collective | 0.11% | -0.06% | 0.4 |
| 352 | FLC | Fluence Corporation | 0.1% | -0.01% | 1.8 |
| 353 | CCV | Cash Converters | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.8 |
| 354 | RCW | Rightcrowd | 0.09% | 0.00% | 4.5 |
| 355 | CNU | Chorus Limited Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 356 | HUO | Huon Aquaculture Group | 0.09% | 0.00% | 5.4 |
| 357 | TTT | Titomic Limited | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.6 |
| 358 | DSE | Dropsuite Limited | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.6 |
| 359 | RVA | Reva Medical Inc Cdi 10:1 | 0.08% | 0.00% | 3.4 |
| 360 | REH | Reece Limited | 0.08% | 0.00% | 2.5 |
| 361 | SRS | Spicers Limited | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 362 | ASB | Austal Limited | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 363 | MVP | Medical Developments | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 364 | FZO | Family ZONE Cyber | 0.07% | +0.05% | 0.3 |
| 365 | ATL | Apollo Tourism | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.6 |
| 366 | VRL | Village Roadshow Limited | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.8 |
| 367 | RDF | Redflex Holdings | 0.06% | 0.00% | 1.0 |
| 368 | SRG | SRG Global Limited | 0.06% | +0.02% | 0.6 |
| 369 | AKP | Audio Pixels Limited | 0.06% | 0.00% | 4.3 |
| 370 | BUD | Buddy Tech | 0.06% | +0.01% | 0.7 |
| 371 | PLL | Piedmont Lithium Limited | 0.06% | -0.01% | 0.7 |
| 372 | CNW | Cirrus Net Hold Limited | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 373 | GBT | GBST Holdings | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.6 |
| 374 | BVS | Bravura Solution Limited | 0.06% | -0.05% | 0.1 |
| 375 | AQG | Alacer Gold Corp Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 376 | OEL | Otto Energy Limited | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 377 | XIP | Xenith IP Group Limited | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 378 | OVH | Onevue Holdings Limited | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 379 | ARF | Arena REIT FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.05% | +0.01% | 0.1 |
| 380 | BRN | Brainchip Limited | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.5 |
| 381 | SEN | Senetas Corporation | 0.05% | 0.00% | 1.6 |
| 382 | GDI | GDI Property Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.05% | -0.01% | 0.6 |
| 383 | AIA | Auckland Internation Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.05% | 0.00% | 5.9 |
| 384 | STG | Straker Translations | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 385 | LEP | Ale Property Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.05% | 0.00% | 1.6 |
| 386 | ICQ | Icar Asia Limited | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 387 | CDU | Cudeco Limited | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 388 | AOF | Australian Unity Off Ordinary Units FP | 0.04% | 0.00% | 2.9 |
| 389 | AC8 | Auscann Group HLGS Limited | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 390 | TGS | Tiger Resources | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 391 | MSV | Mitchell Services | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.5 |
| 392 | WAF | West African Res Limited | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.4 |
| 393 | BTH | Bigtincan Holdings Limited | 0.04% | -0.03% | 0.1 |
| 394 | SNL | Supply Network | 0.04% | +0.04% | 20.7 |
| 395 | RHT | Resonance Health | 0.04% | -0.09% | 0.3 |
| 396 | HZN | Horizon Oil Limited | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.4 |
| 397 | RDC | Redcape Hotel Group FP Units Stapled Securities | 0.04% | +0.04% | 0.6 |
| 398 | CGL | The Citadel Group | 0.04% | +0.02% | 0.0 |
| 399 | KSL | Kina Securities Limited | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 400 | MVF | Monash Ivf Group Limited | 0.04% | -0.01% | 0.2 |
| 401 | PEN | Peninsula Energy Limited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.5 |
| 402 | SPT | Splitit | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 403 | TGN | Tungsten Min NL | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 404 | RHL | Ruralco Holdings | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 405 | RKN | Reckon Limited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 1.5 |
| 406 | SLR | Silver Lake Resource | 0.03% | -0.04% | 0.2 |
| 407 | DCG | Decmil Group Limited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 408 | NGI | Navigator Global Limited | 0.03% | -0.01% | 0.3 |
| 409 | ALQ | Als Limited | 0.03% | -0.02% | 0.0 |
| 410 | RHP | Rhipe Limited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 411 | NIC | Nickelmineslimited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 412 | BSE | Base Res Limited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.4 |
| 413 | ADI | Apn Industria REIT FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 414 | GSW | Getswift Limited | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 415 | NXS | Next Science Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 416 | TER | Terracom Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 1.2 |
| 417 | PEA | Pacific Energy | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.9 |
| 418 | MAH | Macmahon Holdings | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 419 | AQZ | Alliance Aviation | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 420 | SLX | SILEX Systems | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.4 |
| 421 | CKF | Collins Foods Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 422 | BLY | Boart Longyear | 0.02% | 0.00% | 1.0 |
| 423 | LCK | Leigh CRK Energy Limited | 0.02% | +0.02% | 0.0 |
| 424 | PRT | Prime Media Group Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 425 | 360 | LIFE360 Inc Cdi 3:1 US Person Prohibited Excluding QIB | 0.02% | +0.02% | 0.1 |
| 426 | MML | Medusa Mining Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 427 | GWR | GWR Group Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 428 | MYL | Myanmar Metals | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 429 | SMN | Structural Monitor Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 | 0.02% | +0.02% | 0.6 |
| 430 | GGG | Greenland Minerals | 0.02% | +0.02% | 0.1 |
| 431 | LVH | Livehire Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 432 | DUB | Dubber Corp Limited | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 433 | EN1 | Engage:BDR Limited | 0.02% | +0.02% | 0.0 |
| 434 | ZEL | Z Energy Limited Foreign Exempt NZX | 0.01% | 0.00% | 4.0 |
| 435 | BMN | Bannerman Resources | 0.01% | +0.01% | 0.2 |
| 436 | BIT | Biotron Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 437 | PAR | Paradigm Bio | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 438 | WBA | Webster Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.7 |
| 439 | SVL | Silver Mines Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 440 | TOE | Toro Energy Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.6 |
| 441 | FWD | Fleetwood Corp | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 442 | PWH | PWR Holdings Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 443 | AVZ | AVZ Minerals Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 444 | MP1 | Megaport Limited | 0.01% | +0.01% | 0.0 |
| 445 | OMH | Om Holdings Limited 10c | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.3 |
| 446 | NUH | Nuheara Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 447 | EBO | Ebos Group Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 6.5 |
| 448 | EOS | Electro Optic SYS | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 449 | HE8 | Helios Energy Limited | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 450 | MEZ | Meridian Energy Foreign Exempt NZX | 0% | 0.00% | 3.1 |
| 451 | TPE | Tpi Enterprises | 0% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 452 | ASG | Autosports Group Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 1.2 |
| 453 | FSF | Fonterra Share Fund Ordinary Units FP Foreign Exempt NZX | 0% | 0.00% | 0.2 |
| 454 | SM1 | Synlait Milk Limited Foreign Exempt NZX | 0% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 455 | HLO | Helloworld Travl Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 456 | CIA | Champion Iron Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 457 | ISD | Isentia Group Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 458 | KMD | Kathmandu Hold Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 459 | TAR | Taruga Minerals | 0% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 460 | BAT | Battery Minerals Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 461 | ATU | Atrum Coal Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 462 | CDA | Codan Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 463 | EGS | Eastern Goldfields | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 464 | PNR | Pantoro Limited | 0% | -0.20% | 0.0 |
| 465 | ALK | Alkane Resources Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 466 | NMT | Neometals Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 467 | YAL | Yancoal Aust Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 1.4 |
| 468 | MGC | MG Unit Trust Ordinary Units FP | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 469 | WLD | Wellard Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 470 | TGP | 360 Capital Group FP Ordinary/Units Stapled Securities | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 471 | PLG | Propertylink Group Stapled Securities US Prohibited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 472 | AFG | Aust Finance Group | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 473 | VAH | Virgin Aus HLDG Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.1 |
| 474 | SVH | Silver Heritage Group | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 475 | DNA | Donaco International | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 476 | CAN | Cann Group Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 477 | MOE | Moelis Australia Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 478 | IFM | Infomedia Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 479 | ARI | Acn 004410833 Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 480 | ARG | Argo Investments | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 481 | SGH | Slater & Gordon | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 482 | CDP | Carindale Property Units FP | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 483 | LYL | Lycopodium Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 484 | VHY | VNGD Aus High Yield ETF Units FP | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 485 | SDL | Sundance Resources | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 486 | STL | Stargroup Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 487 | MPW | MSL Solutions Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 488 | ESV | Eservglobal Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 489 | CSV | CSG Limited | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
| 490 | FOD | The Food Revolution | 0% | 0.00% | 0.0 |
What is Short Selling?
Short selling is one of the most difficult concepts for novice investors to grasp.
The goal is to profit from a falling market by “borrowing” shares in a company to sell at the current market price, and buy those shares back at a later date after the price has fallen. The difference between the initial sell price and the later buyback price is the profit.
The easiest way to grasp the concept is to compare it with traditional share investment.
Long (Buy)
Going “long” is the traditional way of investing in the stock market; you profit when the share price goes up.
- You believe a companies share price will rise
- You buy shares at $40
- The share price rises to $54
- You sell the shares for a profit of $14 per share
Short (Sell)
Going “short” is the opposite; you profit when the share price goes down.
- You believe a companies share price will fall
- You sell 1,000 "borrowed" shares at $58
- The share price falls to $42
- You buy 1,000 shares (to close the trade) at $42
- You made a profit of $16 per share
How can you sell shares you don’t own?
The most common way is called “Covered Short Selling” and it involves “borrowing” the shares from someone else (organised by your stockbroker).
To open a trade: You borrow shares and sell them at the current market price.
To close the trade: You buyback the same number of shares and return them to the original shareholder.
Another way is to “Naked Short Sell” and it involves a stockbroker placing a sell order on your behalf, even though you haven't borrowed any shares (hence the term "naked"). To close the trade you must buy back the exact number of shares that you originally sold.
Remember that everything is done on a computer. You’re not actually buying and selling a tangible asset; all that’s required is that the numbers in the regulator’s computer “even out” at the end.
Why would someone allow their stock to be short sold? Lenders can charge a borrowing fee which is passed on to the short seller. This is also why short sale positions tend to be shorter in investment duration than long trades.
Short Selling Advantages
1. Profit in a falling market
You can make money when share prices are falling.
2. Hedge your portfolio to reduce drawdown
A portfolio can be hedged with “short” positions to reduce drawdowns in down trending markets. Should the stock market turn negative, any profit made in the “short” trades will help counteract the losses made in the long trades.
Disadvantages
1. Difficulty to participate
Few Australian stockbrokers have the ability to short sell and those that do often have many obstacles. Additional paperwork, collateral requirements, pre-authorisation per trade, higher fees and a minimum trade size of $50,000 may be set.
2. Risk is unlimited
With traditional share investment your risk is limited to the amount you spent on the initial purchase (a share price can’t go below zero). With short selling a trade isn’t closed until you buyback the original number of shares sold, so your risk is unlimited (there is not upper limit to how high a share price can go).
For example, in 2008 Volkswagen was involved in a massive short-squeeze.
Short sellers panicked because the share price was rising and they were losing money. To close their trades they needed to buyback the original number of shares they sold.
A "snowball" effect ensued with all short sellers trying to close their trades at the same time, driving the share price even higher.
The Volkswagen share price rose from €200 to over €1,000 in just over a month.
3. Limited number of approved ASX companies to sell
There is a limited number of ASX companies that are allowed to be sold short. Leveraged equities publish a list of approved companies along with the collateral requirements.
Why is Short Selling Allowed?
Short selling provides liquidity and brings price efficiency into the market.
In 2008, ASIC placed stricter controls on covered short selling and banned naked short selling outright in an attempt to bring order to the market turmoil. Although it could easily be argued that the ban reduced fear and reduced the number of people “sitting on the sidelines”, studies have found that the consequence was higher volatility and decreased liquidity.
How to "Go Short" in Australia
Short selling ASX companies should only be conducted by experienced investors. You will need to shop around for a stockbroker who is able to facilitate short trades.
Alternatively, you can profit from a falling market by purchasing an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that specialises in short selling.
BetaShares Australian Equities Bear Hedge Fund (BEAR) is an ETF that can be bought and sold just like ordinary shares with no extra paperwork, fees or obstacles. The fund short sells ASX SPI 200 futures contracts so that any fall in the S&P/ASX 200 index will result in an increase in the fund’s value. Therefore, the share price of BEAR ETF will rise if the stock market falls.
Using an ETF like the BEAR is a great way for the average investor to profit from, or protect against a fall in the overall Australian stock market.
Additional Links
Short Selling Regulatory Guide 196 (PDF) - ASIC’s detailed guide
Short Selling Reporting Obligations in Australia (PDF) - A law firm’s excellent summary