Every retail investor holding a position in AMC wants to know, when will shorts close their positions?
And I don’t blame you.
This one is a little tricky.
See, it’s like saying, “when will retail investors sell their positions?”
Welcome to Franknez.com – the blog that fights for you, the retail investor. Today I want to discuss shorts closing.
Let’s get started!
Retail investors have been waiting patiently for AMC Entertainment stock to rip.
You’ve been holding through the ups and downs and even buying the dips.
And although we did see AMC’s share price surge in 2021, the short sellers are still here in 2023.
So, why aren’t shorts closing their positions yet?
What do retail investors need to do to squeeze hedge funds out of their money?
Let’s discuss it.
Are shorts obligated to close their positions?
Let’s start with the fundamental question.
Are shorts obligated to close their positions?
Now, there are currently no rules regarding how long a short can hold before closing out their position.
However, lenders do have the right to demand the seller closes their position with minimal notice.
This is rare and only occurs if the the seller isn’t paying the interest fee, or the interest fee is ridiculously high.
“A short position may be maintained as long as the investor is able to honor the margin requirements and pay the required interest and the broker lending the shares allows them to be borrowed.” – Investopedia
When an interest fee is extremely high, it makes a stock difficult to borrow which obligates the short seller to close their positions.
Short sellers are burning big money to keep these positions open in 2023 though.
You’ll want to keep an eye on this interest as it will determine just how much shorts are bleeding.
I update AMC’s short interest data (and others) here daily.
Why does the “Cost to Borrow” fee matter?
The cost to borrow fee is an interest that short sellers must pay for borrowing AMC shares to short the company stock.
These fees are currently at an all-time high.
Short sellers will hold in hopes to drive AMC’s share price right back down to the floor.
However, AMC is trending upwards now and has absolutely no intention of going back down.
Analysts data and AI predictions all point towards a high possibility of a short squeeze.
Even Fintel’s short squeeze score has been as high as 80-90% in recent weeks.
This short borrow fee is going to continue to go up as AMC stock becomes harder to borrow.
For short sellers, a low short borrow fee is in their favor.
Hedge funds much rather pay the fee and stubbornly continue to hold their positions against retail investors.
But, if the short borrow fee is high enough to hurt the borrower, they will be more inclined to close their positions before losing an excruciating amount of money.
Just In: Short Sellers Are Down $81 Billion This Year
How can retail investors help drive the short borrow fee up?
Retail investors have helped drive the short borrow fee up simply by holding their positions.
When AMC squeezes, not every short will close their positions immediately.
This means retail investors won’t ever be able to time the high.
There will be short sellers who will continue to short even as share prices rise.
If we begin to see AMC’s price action rise monumentally, it is important to have a plan on how to take profits.
Just like a day trade, investors may be profitable for some time until they see gains turn into losses, which usually occurs due to greed in the markets.
This is what you want to avoid.
Important advisory: I am not a licensed financial advisory. I simply have a passion for finance and writing.
What happens when a short close their position?
A short position will be profitable if it is closed at a lower price than the initial transaction; it is at a loss if it is closed at a higher price.
In AMC’s case, shorts who drove began to short around $5 but are still holding to-date are at a loss.
AMC is currently trading around $6.08 per share as of 2/2.
When there’s a ton of shorts closing (in a particular stock), it will result in a short squeeze.
What is a short squeeze?
A short squeeze occurs when a stock spikes in price action due to an increase of short-sellers closing out their positions.
We’ve seen a short squeeze happen with both GameStop and Volkswagen. GME topped almost $500 while Volkswagen spiked shy below $1,000 back in 2008.
Some short sellers closed in June of 2021 when AMC shares rose to $72 per share as well.
AMC’s price skyrockets to more than +3,000% that year!
Short squeezes are massively profitable for retail investors.
These phenomena are how people are able to accumulate wealth in such little time.
Read: 5 Big Signs Pointing to An AMC Short Squeeze
So, when will AMC shorts close?
Instead of exiting, short sellers have been holding.
Just as retail investors have high conviction on massive price action, hedge funds still have conviction on shorting the company to delist it.
But AMC Entertainment isn’t going bankrupt and AMC shareholders aren’t leaving.
AMC said bankruptcy was no longer on the table years ago and some Wall Street analysts have said the industry is on a solid path to resurgence, via Hollywood Reporter.
In fact, the short thesis is beginning to change with many incredible developments happening in the movie theatre industry.
AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) is up more than 54% this year-to-date and it looks like the stock has bottomed out.
As we continue to see a high utilization and the short borrow fee increase, we can only expect shorts may be incentivized to close sooner than later.
Will AMC’s price action continue to go up?
AMC stock has always had high demand from shareholders.
While many of these retail activists continue to hold losses from June’s drop, it’s possible this changes – granted that short sellers close out their positions this year.
Short sellers will have the option to hold their loses on paper for months to come (with fees) or close their position at the current share prices.
Short selling is a risky business and bulls have sent a message – “we’re not leaving”.
With new titles coming to AMC movie theaters as well as new developments, we’re only going to continue to see a surge in price action due to an increase in the company’s fundamental growth.
Even if shorts continue to hold, lenders will eventually run up the interest rate again, forcing them to throw in the towel.
Leave a comment below and let the community know what a short squeeze would mean for you.
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MMAT /metamaterials the first and real one needs more retail investor help, HF have forced price down close to $1 delisting from nasdaq will start clock timer, this co. ‘meta-materials is solid, have hundreds patents , halographic film to be used on pass.aircraft for laser lite pilot protection , use on sides of buildings for reflection of 5G signal to point where that signal needed, really amazing, sides of buses advertising still see out glass new ideas for its use are found daily, just as AMC revenue almost was lost 14 months ago, meta is now in same boat . we as retail investors have a huge portion of free float, but it doesn’t seem to b enough, the manipulation everyday is keeping price well below P/E ratio. friday $1.40, getting new yr. low everyday, price was at $5+ back Oct. falling ever since. if they force a delisting retail investors will take major hit finacially and emotionally , bad for momentum for all meme stocks, my last order is all in, or lose it all, means sell off of my AMC my GME, , wonder how many others n meta are in same boat as I. plez if you can spare few dollars buy MMAT squeeze in there, kerrisdaleHF will take big hit isnt that what this is bout, FAIR HONEST STOCKMARKET…..TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE{ALL} FALL…I IMPLOR YOU TO HELP ANY WAY YOU CAN, SHARE ALL POSITIVE INFO ON METAMATERIAL, THE END IS CLOSE . NO IDEA HOW LONG…AR, VR, GLASSES A PRODUCT, WE HAVE FUTURE , 3D GLASSES OR 3D MOVIE SCREEN IS NOT FAR AWAY….PLEZ HELP IF YOU CAN, I’M NOT A PAID ADVISOR, THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVISE, FROM ONE INVESTOR TO ANOTHER HEDGEFUNDS NEED TO GO DOWN, THEY GO, LESS SHORTING IN AME, GME, MEME STOCKS THE MARKET AS A WHOLE..LEADING FAIR HONEST MARKET, WISH US LUCK, AMC WAS IN SAME BOAT 14 MONTHS AGO
This is exactly why we have not seen real interest rates for borrowing shares. HF’s are getting a super huge discount for borrowing shares. Why, bc the lenders also have a lot to lose if shorts ultimately fail to deliver. @slittlef
Great article, I am still new to the market. I read Ortex data recently, and I found one interesting phenomenon, how could short inerest of AMC is climbing while cost to borrow is still so cheap currently? Which methods could hgs use to keep the borrowing fee so low? Sorry, I am really confused here.
I remember the first few times before I started investing, “The Fool” articles everywhere, and “here’s the next Amazon, buy NOW” articles. I just have one question. Have I been wrong all these years? Did all the drugs I did as a teenager create more brain cells, when I thought they were being destroyed? Hahaha. When it comes to articles written by groups such as the “Fool”, could they at least learn to space out their bullshit, so it’s not so obvious? “Avoid this stock like the plague!” “Cannabis is legalized world wide, but adult use in fading away.” “Biotechnology company discovers the cure for cancer. Cancer says it doesn’t like results. Stay away from this company.” Hahaha. Sorry…not real articles obviously, but please quit trying to fill my mind with bullshit “Fool.” I can wipe my own ass.✌️ Love your articles dude. Enough to help keep me going, but not over the top. I dig it. Keep it up, and thank you for not treating us all like a bunch of car wreck victims with brain hemorrhaging. Lol🤙
Much appreciated Adam! Thanks for commenting
Can you do an article about where to find the information that the Shorts are covering and who is covering.. Like is there somewhere we retail investors can get the information about who is covering and by how many they’e covered ? Where can we as retail get this information first ? Like when is it out, and where can we get it a.s.a.p
In this article I talk about how we will know when shorts begin to cover AMC: https://franknez.com/how-will-we-know-when-shorts-cover-amc/
Motivated by your articles, I entered this fight, and I plan to remain firm, maintaining my actions until the end, I want to continue accompanying this entire community on the trip to the moon !!!!! According to your calculations and information, how far could the price go? Frank Thank you for being here for us and guiding newbies on this path, thank you, thank you, thank you
i agree to a point. the exit strategy is wrong for what Ape nation’s ultimate goal is. 1st and foremost, BUYING MORE, is the best thing to force the price upwards, hodlibg (holding) is just a given but will not drive the price up. this is a battle!
on exit strategy, remember that hedge funds have robbed generations of investors 401ks, manipulated buying and selling via insider information and having privileged information for eons that has only recently found its way to retail investors with a “gaming” minset who came to figure out how to fight back.
but exiting the stock while rising was not the ultimate ape goal. that goal is to squeeze every possibile dollar out of the hedge funds for their crimes against the generations of investors. how is this done?
by holding and never selling! at least not at first. before we sell we must short sell the hedge funds out of existance! By doing to them what they have been doing to companies for the entire existence of financial markets!
Can you imagine in the 1920s crash that 95% of those investors were buying for growth and had no concept of short selling? its true! they were the first sitting ducks! And the ones who first figured this short selling method out made a killing! (look at the Kennedys who got rich from illegal booze smuggling. then, got insider information to short the entire market. made astronomical profits, THEN gets appointed to head the SEC and outlaws insider trading-the very rhing he multiplied his wealth with! ) THIS is what I’m talking about!
First, the hedge funds must be shorted until they are bust, then apes can probably afford to hold AMC / GME , maybe sell some but HOPEFULLY do goid with the tendies and act as market watchdogs for the future to insure retail investors do not get taken advantage of ever again!
fair markets! I’m all in!
I really like the information Frank. I’m a 8.01 holder and continue to buy. Looking and waiting for Life Changing money. APES ALL THE WAY.
All the way brother 🤝🚀
So glad I came across this ! I’m a newbie to the stock markets and brought 20 shares of amc back in may off a tip from a friend , I am a carer full time for my mum whom has multiple sclerosis and I would love to take her and my dad on a cruise around the Norwegian fjords along with my kids and husband I’m hoping that amc moons so that I can do this for them . Thankyou for sharing all the information and breaking it down so it’s easier to understand I really hope amc moass soon 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Just saw on Twitter today the short borrow fee went from 1.0% to 5.6%. Do you know if this is true and if so then this would be great news for us right? Sorry I am new to this and trying to learn, been reading your articles everyday and holding my little 60 shares hoping to change my life.
Hi Bernadette – yes the short borrow fee went up! This essentially means that short sellers are about to lose a lot more money from the interest alone. This is great news for us because it puts more pressure on them to close their positions.
I appreciate your encouragement as well as learning so much regarding all the manipulation going on that regulators are not regulating in the stock market.
I use to follow the “Fool” and other stock advisors as I was assuming how respectable they were. How gullible I was until seeing your posts. Now win or lose I’m holding on.
I got “bit” by a large bank years ago that changed loan applications to place people in a higher interest rate than what qualified for. What has happened to people wanting to have integrity anymore.
Keep up the good work.
Howard Nelson
I appreciate your comment Howard. Justice will be served and the good guys will win. To the moon
I really enjoy your posts. Thanks! Very clear explanation of the subject.
I appreciate that Jacob – thanks!
When was this article wrote? There are comments from Maine on here?
Articles are revised from time to time with new and relevant information.
Thank you for updating this article. I’m currently invested in AMC and have been since April. I’ve been buying and holding but was getting concerned with the recent drop and seeing my profit drop thousands of dollars this past week. This article really helped me understand the need to keep holding. I also shared it on the WSB Facebook page because I know there’s a lot of people like me, unsure of what to do.
I really appreciate that Amanda. I’m sure you helped someone else out who might have been feeling what you were feeling. HODLING strong 💪
Quick question to piggyback off of a concern…let’s say at some point in time, there are only 100 shares left…and I buy them now at $150 per share (no shorts covered yet). No more shares are available to purchase. How do the shorts gets covered where the price of the shares goes up vs just the pocket books of the ones who lent out shares…?
Question: I keep reading that hedgefunds are “bleeding” money daily on AMC short borrow fee. While that’s no doubt true, surely AMC is not their only investment. I imagine the hedgefunds make enough of a killing on all of their other stock plays that they can keep shorting AMC – and paying the fees – indefinitely until the long “hodlers” give up (which I believe is what the hedgies are hoping for)?
SO what happens to the price of AMC when shorts are covered? does it start dropping and thats a sign for retail to exist?
When shorts cover, AMC’s price will go up. Here’s a guide on an exit strategy: https://franknez.com/an-excellent-amc-exit-strategy-guide-short-squeeze/
No, the opposite. It goes to the moon.
It JUMPS up in price as orders are going thru at MARKET…
Very good article! Thank you!!
I appreciate that Izzi – thank you 🤝
I found your information very helpful, I will continue to follow you in the future. I wish I would have found this sonner when I first started my trading journey. Keep up the great articles.
I appreciate you being here Mark. Blessings are coming brother 🤝
Great article. The one question on everyone’s mind is “when is the best time to sell?” because at some point, most retail investors are going to start to cash out to realize the gain. After the shorts are finally covered, the price will ultimately start falling until the stock levels out with the actual business value, correct?
Thanks for your comment Brian. I wrote this article to help apes on their exit strategy. https://franknez.com/an-excellent-amc-exit-strategy-guide-short-squeeze/
I like your writing style, thanks.
Thank you, I appreciate that 🤝
This was a very well written and descriptive article. I’m somewhat new to investment game and took profit from doge and SPCE and bought 70 shares of AMC. This would be a game changer for me as I have 3 of my 5 children on the spectrum and about to get back surgery. I would be able to actually take them on a real vacation and get caught up on bills after being laid off last March and finally finding a job in nov. I’m not hoping for a miracle on this although I am praying for one. I lost 280k in 2008 market crash and was then sued for 7k of management fees I refused to pay. I mean they lost 90% of my 401k while I was overseas and then wanted me to pay and then they got a bailout and most of us were left holding a pile of crap. Anyway, keep up the great work and I look forward to more of your articles.
Justice will be served Joshua. Thanks for being here 🤝✨
I love reading your articles. For me the squeeze would be me getting my food business back up and running by purchasing a food trailer and working part time! Retirement and helping my kids and grandkids
Love it! Thanks for sharing
Great article Bryan. Direct and to the point. Glad to see you getting all the “buzz” I will certainly share to educate the ones who don’t really understand what is going on here.
Thanks brother 🤝
Great article, thanks! I have a question for you that I can’t seem to wrap my head around or find an answer to: If hedge funds are truly engaging in a bunch of naked shorting then who is holding all these “synthetic shares?” I’m trying to understand if fake shares are being sold, then who are they being sold to and how will they ultimately be covered?
How does anyone know if they are holding legitimate shares? Thanks!
I think they would have to buy legitimate shares from whom ever is willing to sell them back to them (at what ever astronomical market price) to cover their short positions, whether it be retail investors or institutions who bought up shares, etc. Please correct me if I’m wrong, anyone who’s in the know. Relatively new to this game, as well.
Right on the nail!
What this could mean to me? Retirement.
🍿💥🚀🚀🚀
Thanks for a great article. I believe the squeeze will happen soon. I’m fully invested. Not selling till at least $10k per share.
It could never reach that. It would crash the worlds entire economy. Not to mention, no one in their right mind will hold for a price like that. 800-900 ?? thats more realistic at BEST. More practical price-point? 400-500 IMHO (Not a financial advisor)
Sir,
You seem to know the prices and all, can you share with me how you come up with this price target?
Enquiring minds want to know
Thank You Good Samaritan.
Jj
So even though the big news seems to be GME CEO leaving in July, you think that AMC will actually be the bigger short of the two?
I think AMC has the biggest potential of a short squeeze right now
Love your blog!!! It’s really spreading!!! Good for you! You deserve it!!!
I appreciate that Andrea – thank you!
Love this article, I have been reading plenty of articles meant to scare and discourage new AMC hodlr’s. They seem written out of desperation, maybe?
Don’t worry, I have your back 🤝✨
Thanks, Frank. What this means is that thousands of ordinary people are finally going to get a seat on the boat, without it leaving them behind. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I’ve always wanted to give freely, but never have been in the position. Sharing AMC and articles like this are my way of doing it now.
What I means to my family is unexplainable. To the moon brotha….to the freaking moon!
This is a great article. Any idea how much money short sellers lose every day they don’t cover?