Replies to post #351072 on NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[biosectinvestor]

Someone will get it, some may not last. And it’s unclear, given the shortage of shares and the size of the aggregate hedge across funds (150% of total float), if there are enough shares to close out the short positions.

You have to have real shares in hand to close out a short position, not borrowed shares.

Remember, some chunk of shares were bought by the new private equity guy at the start of this. GameStop them reduced the outstanding shares substantially with a share buyback. And then WSBets bought call options, limiting their risks and many getting their funds back already. Many intend to just hold. Which in theory locks up most of the outstanding shares.

Will some look at the dollars in their accounts and just close their positions. Sure. But they are betting on there still being a large shortage of shares for funds to cover. I agree with you though, it is musical chairs and people who do not know what they are doing and get in late, which could be tomorrow or not, could lose their investment. Do not short though. That would be a bad idea, IMHO. Options, if you can afford them. But shorting is not a good idea. This is not about the value of the company but about the resources of the hedge fund’s to cover. THAT is what will drive the valuation. Until short positions are closed or the funds declare insolvency.

[skitahoe]

I believe you're right as I believe Robin Hood is a rather small brokerage and has limited assets. What I really wonder about is if Game Stop, or any of the other companies involved in the short squeeze and substantially higher prices had previously announced ATM's that would permit them to potentially bring in substantial funding by selling those shares near the high.

If that were the case, it could make the difference for a company like Game Stop which was struggling. Covid-19 is very probably the death knell for many companies that had marginal sales before it hit, I suspect you could put Game Stop in that category. If they were able to sell off a few million shares at near the high, they could be sitting on billions that would certainly keep them in business. I'm not suggesting that they were behind creating the short squeeze, but I hope they were in a position to profit from it themselves.

Gary