but that WSJ article implies that there's a way th

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but that WSJ article implies that there's a way that some funds can setup arrangements with a broker to simply borrow the shares without shorting them yet.

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Borrowed shares can be held without being sold for any length of time unless they are recalled by the broker and the broker can not find other shares to borrow. The recall may happen because the owner of origin wishes to sell the shares or the shares are needed to cover a margin call.