>I think that shorting stocks is morally neutral. Just as I consider buying stocks morally neutral.<
IMO I would probably agree with you if we were experiencing a normal market. Because of the events of last week, to me it doesn't seem that this market can be considered "normal". I was happy to see the A@P statement that he was covering his short positions, since in principal I have to say I agreed with what he stated.
I had one very small short position in a retail clothing company (300 shares short). I started that position based on my beliefs that their advertising campaign was not one that I could support...and I felt that they had some specific retailing problems that would not improve. With the WTC bombing, I covered that position and made an $1850 gain with that one trade. I personally don't want to accept $1850 for the sole reason that the WTC was bombed and so many innocent people lost their life. I'm making a donation to the American Red Cross with this gain. To me, making money this way...considering all that so many people have lost, just doesn't seem "right".
I also have to say that I do make judgements of certain companies...and will not purchase companies that I feel are not morally making the correct decisions. I have to believe in the product, the company, the management of the company before I decide to invest in that company. (Note...I said invest, not trade shares in that company.)
When I consider the stock market to be one "big game", then you are right, it is just a situation of strategy and movements.....to decide to short or hold long positions in a specific company. Probably for me, since I don't need to play this "game" right now...I somehow feel it is poor sportsmanship to "beat up" someone when they're down, so for me, shorting is not an option that I'd choose right now. I can't help but think that if the events of last week had not occurred we most likely would have been experiencing a very strong rally this week in the market. I read in one post today that it is a battle between "don't fight the Fed" and "don't fight the trend"...and which one will win?
For someone who is a professional trader...or someone who needs to pay their bills from their trading income, then I understand why this option is one they might choose. |
