My answer to your questions would be that the final short count will happen shortly before month end. I would also state that according to my digging around that ANY has been very proactive in concluding these issues. You and I both know the short number is significant. If the shorts are off base and not playing by the rules then they will have to pay up to cover and deal with the legal consequences . Again, in my opinion, ANY is very cheap here, and after the recent news announcements I am even more confident that ANY will excel. Large institutions will not be wary of buying ANY because of the shorts as it is the fundamnentals that will dictate their buying, I could be wrong, but my risk/reward under the current circumstances says ANY is a screaming buy and I am adding to my core position. IMO