The PPT is the vaunted Plunge Protection Team, a much derided but often alluded to collusion of the major prime brokerages (Goldman, Morgan, Stanley, Citi) to halt major stock market declines by manipulating the market. It's never been proven, of course. But a firestorm of comments on ZeroHedge and in other places where hardcore (and some institutional traders) gather has zeroed in on the difficulties many have had borrowing shares of the S&P Index (SPY) in order to short the index. The commenters believe this is a result of the PPT holding back shares to stop any shorts that could torpedo the ongoing rally.ZeroHedge posts
FeedWhen the S & P Index is hard to borrow, is the PPT in the house?
The PPT is the vaunted Plunge Protection Team, a much derided but often alluded to collusion of the major prime brokerages (Goldman, Morgan, Stanley, Citi) to halt major stock market declines by manipulating the market. It's never been proven, of course. But a firestorm of comments on ZeroHedge and in other places where hardcore (and some institutional traders) gather has zeroed in on the difficulties many have had borrowing shares of the S&P Index (SPY) in order to short the index. The commenters believe this is a result of the PPT holding back shares to stop any shorts that could torpedo the ongoing rally.Continue reading When the S & P Index is hard to borrow, is the PPT in the house?

