why IB is kind of special?

The answer you seek is right there... ETFC doesn't have access to shares they can borrow, but IB does...

Not every broker has a wide inventory of shares.. sometimes you gotta call in and reserve some, or have them check around to see if borrowing can be done.
 
Quote from Jack_Larkin:

The answer you seek is right there... ETFC doesn't have access to shares they can borrow, but IB does...

Not every broker has a wide inventory of shares.. sometimes you gotta call in and reserve some, or have them check around to see if borrowing can be done.
More...

Yep. Shares, in order to be shorted, need to be borrowed. Larger brokers have more clients to ask for borrowing, or even lend you their own. Makes perfect sense.

If you really want to short something but can't borrow it, if you're brave or crazy enough, you can always go for options.
 
Quote from mikeenday:

I mean I can always short, like GRPN, LNKD, TNA/FAS/FAZ....
but ETFC always reports no shares to borrow.
More...

who cares? you short a lot? go with IB. i don't even know what ETFC is..IB is special for retail for many things. including direct access to huge variety of markets,securities and ability to short them too. but their short list is getting smaller..right now average is around 9000 securities. use to be 12K+
 
Quote from braincell:

Yep. Shares, in order to be shorted, need to be borrowed. Larger brokers have more clients to ask for borrowing, or even lend you their own. Makes perfect sense.

If you really want to short something but can't borrow it, if you're brave or crazy enough, you can always go for options.
More...

not every stock has listed options.
 
your all missin probably the most important reason..........Etrade loans you the shares as long as you want for FREE

IB charges you a daily fee so they have a little more motivation

Is IB alot bigger outfit than Etrade?????
 
Quote from bigpig41:

your all missin probably the most important reason..........Etrade loans you the shares as long as you want for FREE

IB charges you a daily fee so they have a little more motivation

Is IB alot bigger outfit than Etrade?????
More...

IBKR:Market Cap: 660.29M
ETFC:Market Cap: 2.44B

source: Yahoo Finance
 
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