Investment Q&A

Q: Apologies for the dumb question, but the craziness over these short squeezes has introduced me to new ideas I don't fully understand.
1. I didn't realize I could instruct my broker not to permit my shares to be borrowed by short-sellers. But how can I lend out a share to a short-seller if I'm holding the stock the entire time? I don't plan to sell my 100 shares of LSPD anytime soon, so how can I lend it to a short-seller?
2. Can't all shareholders instruct their brokers not to permit borrowing of their shares? If so, would'nt that restrict the ability of short-sellers to short a stock? It seems like reducing the ability of short-sellers to short a stock I own would be good for the stock price.

Thanks
Michael

Q: In your opinion how will these short squeeze situations affect the markets going forward? Will we never see such a large percentage of the float being shorted again? Surely any company that experiences a 100% float will be the next target of a reddit campaign.

It could also be looked at from the other side. Any company with a high percentage of shares sold short could experience buyers trying to preemptively predict reddit forums from doing it first. Has this situation permanently changed short selling?

Q: Can you tell me how it is possible for a company to have a short interest of more than 100%? My understanding is that GME was close to a short interest of 148% at one point.

Q: After the huge run-up GME has been on I see its up another 123% as I write this....

How does this end for both the retailers buying and the shorts being squeezed?

Q: This one is for Peter, since I understand hedge funds were once your bailiwick?

I know little-to-nothing about hedge funds and how they operate, so watching these huge swings happening on the markets lately and people covering shorts (whatever that means) ... I'm very curiously concerned about the overall impact this will have on the markets? Does the common sense investor bail out of Nasdaq stocks, for instance, for the moment, until everything settles down? There is no rhyme or reason to what is happening with many stocks and it would be horrible to be caught in the crossfire just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I would appreciate Peter's perspective re: how to handle the US part of the portfolio at the moment.

Thanks, as always, for your great advice!

Q: In researching the recent Gamestop madness, I have read that many of the shorts will expire on Friday. Given that the shorting hedge funds have been doubling down on their positions:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-point72-to-invest-2-75-billion-into-melvin-capital-management-11611604340
is there any possibility that there is a cascading effect of hedge funds potentially getting liquidated? I know that speculating in this matter is akin to mental gymnastics, but I think that the GME holders are here to prove a point about the shady dealings on Wall Street. Is it possible that a showdown between greedy hedge funds and Robinhood/Reddit millenials leads to a wider market shock?

Q: How big are the short and option positions on Palantir? Considering the heavy trading volume the last few days is it possible this name could see a short squeeze stampede and slaughter such as Gamestop on Monday?

Q: Could you please comment on SPG's current balance sheet? Would you still recommend against investing here (as you did in July 2020) because of company's debt vs. cash position?

Q: Good Morning Peter & Team,

Can I have your opinion on GME please.

Thanks for all you do

gm

Q: Would you please give assessment for a small part of an income portfolio - tks.

Q: Hey folks, I want something in the video gaming sector. I am looking at ATVI. Would you pick that one? Are there others you would find more attractive, maybe a couple of smaller ones with better growth. Thanks.