This is going to sound very strange to a lot of people, and I'll probably take a lot of flak for saying this, but I actually like the uptick rule. The way I figure it: All traders can chase a stock up and compete on a fairly level playing field when going long. But less than 25% of all daytraders trade at a professional firm and have access to bullets and/or conversions, so the number of people that compete with me for hitting bids (shorting downticks) is much less. And there is definitely a difference in my P&L between up days and down days. When I look over my trades, I make a lot more money going short. Even when the market was going straight up, I used bullets almost daily, selling downticks and pounding bids is a very profitable business. So while I know everyone who can't short downticks right now will be in heaven if they can start doing it, the selfish side of me doesn't want the competition. I have a feeling some of the other prof. guys here would selfishly agree. -Jim
Apparently more intelligent people are running the show now. The uptick rule is equivalent to outlawing guns because they kill people or parking our cars because we might crash. I can't wait to make even more money.
Getting rid of the rule wont do much good as many may expect. Easier shorting -> more shorts -> short squeeze become more violant -> less profit in shorting generally speaking.
I agree, At first it will be a wind fall of profits, but soon after going short will be just like going long. Small gain at most.
Just in case you don't already know: Rules For Shorting Stock Staying In Place http://www.forbes.com/2001/10/04/1004short.html