Short Squeeze
A situation in which a lack of supply and an excess demand for a traded stock forces the price upward.
Investopedia Commentary
Short squeezes occur more often in smaller cap stocks with small floats.
If a stock starts to rise rapidly, the trend may continue to escalate because the short sellers will likely want out. For example, say a stock rises 15% in one day, those with short positions may be forced to liquidate and cover their position by purchasing the stock. If enough short sellers buy back the stock, the price is pushed even higher.
Related Links
Short Selling Tutorial
The Short And Distort - Stock Manipulation In A Bear Market
Using The VIX For Shorting
See also: Bear, Buy Back, Buy To Cover, Float, Liquidity, Selling short, Short, Short Covering, Short Interest, Short Sale Rule, Short Squeeze, Small Cap
short squeeze