8 Apr 2008 - Stock lending data disarray

Tue, 8 Apr 08

8 Apr 2008 - Stock lending data disarray

The Deputy Chair of the Australian Shareholders Association may have identified a $84 billion hole in official stock lending data. A recent BNP Paribas report suggested the total stock lending (margin lending, short selling, CFD's, etc) was between $95 and $185 billion, however the ASA could only account for approximately $56 billion. Stephen Matthews the Deputy Chair of the ASA believes this lack of data could lead to further market disruption as there is no knowledge of either this lending or the "extent of short selling and margin calls have been massively understated". Matthews also is going to argue in a speech in Sydney on Wednesday there is no "keeper" of comprehensive statistics as there is no government department with a mandate to do same.