SEC proposes new rule aimed at naked short selling
The SEC voted unanimously yesterday to propose a new rule intended to enhance the SEC's ability to crack down on naked short sales and failures to deliver shares that are used in such sales, Reuters reported.
Short selling involves sales of borrowed shares, in the hope of repurchasing them later at a lower price. Naked short selling involves sales without first borrowing the shares or making an "affirmative determination" that the shares can be borrowed.
The SEC adopted Regulation SHO four years ago in an effort to curtail short-selling abuses. However, the SEC’s enforcement powers under Regulation SHO are limited. Stating the obvious, SEC Chairman Christopher Cox explained, “Reg SHO can’t be effective without enforcement.” According to Mr. Cox, the SEC's new proposed rule is designed to give Regulation SHO “teeth.” Under the new proposal, the SEC would create an antifraud rule specifically targeting targets sellers who intentionally deceive broker-dealers or purchasers about their ability to meet delivery deadlines.
The SEC is seeking public comment on its proposal.
