SEC Considering "Market-Wide Solutions" Short Sale Rule

As reported in a Reuters article and elsewhere, the SEC is expected to propose a new short selling rule in the next few weeks that will be broader than the original temporary order that protected 19 financial stocks (17 major Wall Street firms, along with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae). SEC Chairman Cox is quoted as saying the proposed rule "will focus on market-wide solutions," implying not only larger breadth, but possible other restrictions or changes affecting the markets that reach beyond just widening the number of stocks and sectors affected. One possible change is to require investors to publicly disclose large short positions, similar to the current requirements for disclosing large long positions. Whether a more encompassing rule will prop-up the markets longer-term and give some non-financial stocks a boost is difficult to predict. Even with crude oil continuing to sell-off, the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) has given back some of its gains and is near short-term, yet technically-weak support. With the S&P 500 having trouble getting above 1,300, and the DJIA having difficulty around the 11,750 level, another SEC-induced short covering rally that is now more inclusive may be just what the market needs short-term to break resistance, even if not the original goal of the SEC. While potentially beneficial short-term, one can only hope that any new regulation will not have any harmful or unintended consequences for the market long-term. Then again, sometimes hope is all you have to work with.