The US markets are not open for public inspection (ie the trade books and all positions taken on all the stocks). The DTCC controls the issued shares...plus, they facilitate naked shorting through various programs.
I see no need for shorting. IMO, shorting is a scam. Designed and created to take and destroy...and nothing else.
Those on the inside use it to guarantee they will win...make money most of the time (?)....I've read that Nite trading makes money on their trading every day...using their view of the orders to their advantage...plus, using their pre/and after market advantages...and their ability to naked short stocks...intra-day or otherwise.
Shorting is still a tool for theft and destruction IMSO.
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