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Short squeeze

A short squeeze is a sharp price rise driven by short sellers buying to close positions, which pushes the price higher and forces further closing. A naturally occurring squeeze is not manipulation; engineering one deliberately can be.

manipulation techniques · updated 2026-09-08

Where does short squeeze come up?

This term is used in the following manipulation techniques, each explained in full on its own page.

Enforcement actions involving these techniques

Action Agency Filed Technique Penalty Status
SEC v. John Brda and Georgios Palikaras (engineered short squeeze, 2024) SEC 2024-06-25 Engineered Short Squeeze filed
SEC v. Meta Materials, Inc. ( and others (engineered short squeeze, 2024) SEC 2024-06-25 Engineered Short Squeeze , Paid Stock Promotion +1 $1m settled

See also

Terms that refer here

Securities lending · Short selling · Squeeze

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