Sec..Short sellers are essentially traders that are hoping a company will experience problems (such as product delays or the inability to raise financing) so they may profit from the setbacks. These traders or trading machines make the most if a company struggles and goes out of business, and some short sellers actively work to make that happen. Aggressive shorters, and short selling pools, will sometimes hire stock “bashers”, people paid to post negative articles on blogs and message boards

https://www.sec.gov/comments/4-627/4627-95.pdf

Sec.. 2018

https://www.fbo.gov/utils/view?id=10629097651...5444e3e1b6