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Re: Jim Bishop post# 23777

Wednesday, 12/13/2006 11:06:13 PM

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 11:06:13 PM

Post# of 114953
Jim in a earlier post you made what I assume was direct quote -
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In their own words re Ameritrade:

"Ameritrade does not trade on its own account or make a market in any security. Client trades are executed on independent exchanges, through independent market makers or through ECNs."

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Trying to understand this shorting thing. Ameritrade (and I'm guessing other online brokers) use market makers to execute the trades, but they will 'loan' someone who wants to short a stock (say MSFT) shares from their own inventory, or if needed from another clients (our fellow traders) account.

Is that right?

Assuming it is, what if I want to sell 10k MSFT and TDAm doesn't have any in their inventory, and none of their clients do either? (unlikely I know, but what if...)

Where do they get the shares? Does a market maker get them from another broker? i.e. He buys them and then sells them to my broker?


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