Can you short a stock you hold?

[barnz2k]

Hey
Is it possible to short a stock you hold?
EG: Im a long term holder, but in this crazy (volatile) market thinking about shorting.

Essentially you sell a and re-buy a share at a lower price to short, correct? So if you hold the share long - is it different/possible selling the "borrowed" shares than the ones I am holding?

So rather than actualising a loss and re-buying shares at lower cost basis, making profit from the short and keeping the shares with the higher cost basis

Am I making any sense?

[wayneL]

Hey
Is it possible to short a stock you hold?
EG: Im a long term holder, but in this crazy (volatile) market thinking about shorting.

Essentially you sell a and re-buy a share at a lower price to short, correct? So if you hold the share long - is it different/possible selling the "borrowed" shares than the ones I am holding?

So rather than actualising a loss and re-buying shares at lower cost basis, making profit from the short and keeping the shares with the higher cost basis

Am I making any sense?
Just use two different accounts.

Or keep the share and short the CFD.

Or, (subject to having adequate knowledge and vols etc suit) trade puts on the share.

[barnz2k]

good ideas. thanks Wayne!