What does "short selling" refer to?

Short selling refers to selling borrowed shares with the hope of repurchasing them at a lower price. This strategy allows investors to profit from a decline in a stock's price. In a short sale, an investor borrows shares from another party and sells them on the open market, anticipating that the stock's price will decrease. If the price does fall, the investor can then buy back the shares at the lower price, return them to the lender, and pocket the difference as profit.

This practice hinges on the market dynamics, where the seller benefits from the decrease in stock price, highlighting a strategy based on bearish market sentiment. It's important for investors to understand the risks involved, as short selling can lead to substantial losses if the stock price rises instead of falls, making it crucial to approach this tactic cautiously.