It's common knowledge in the micro markets that  fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) is a much easier to create and a much easier executed tactic than trying to pump a stock higher.  That is why the majority of all manipulation i.e. 99% is shorting.  It's easier to affect human nature with FUD than a false promise or pump so shorting is the rule of thumb in the micro markets.  Startup companies have to many factors against them that neyseyers can have a field day with.  Any other points to the contrary are bullchit.  Anyone trying to say that big boys will waste their time manipulating the stock higher by painting the tape is FOS. Retailers including myself paint the EOD tapes to help as much as possible but as we've seen in TECO's case it has been meaningless.  TECO was under attack long before the delays, 2012 PR's, etc.  TECO's performance has just helped to fuel a fire that already existed.  I warned of the NSS and shorting manipulation in late 2011, early 2012 timeframe. Coolnapz was all over it in PM's with me.