Oct. 16, 2022
October 16, 2022 Dear Ms. Countryman, I am in favor of this proposal to update the reporting of short sales. I believe that it is necessary to update to the self reporting of these transactions. Shorting shares, through even conventional methods, effectively allows for dilution of a companies equity. This dilution remains until the short sale is closed by the shorting party going back out and repurchasing the shares. Without effective reporting to know the number of shorted shares out there, it is impossible for investors to make educated decisions regarding the percentage of outstanding equity that they are buying. Everyone benefits easier access to quality information. The SEC has an obligation to investors in the US markets to provide transparency in the equities market we all invest in. For too long, information has been withheld from the general public. Bad actors use this to their advantage to prey on oblivious retail investors. Thank you for your time, Jack Pieper