ror, since when it's not illegal, always been and always will be...those brokers who allow this are not followin' sec rules.
Quote from walter4:
Clearly, that is not true. There is no net position of 0. Your account will show 1000 shares of XOM and -1000 shares of XOM. Two separate positions.
You could then "buy to cover" 500 XOM and minute later "sell" 500 XOM.
Your account is still showing 500 XOM and -500 XOM. Two sepatare positions.
Nothing illegal about that. You can do this all day long.
Circumventing the uptick rule - that`s what is illegal.
What he says:
"If you are net short 5,000 shares...
Say Long 5,000 shares if GM and Short 10,000 shares of GM...
You can ONLY sell those 5000 shares on an uptick... or you are breaking the law."
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I know there is one retail broker without "buy to cover" button. Only "buy" "sell" "sell short" buttons.
So technically you can`t go short plus long there- he covers your shorts automatically when you "buy" shares.