Economy in Turkey – Expert: “Investors in Istanbul Stock Market face a tougher picture ahead”
In her appearance on “Paranın İzinde” (in pursuit of money) program on TV, Güldem Atabay (an expert in financial markets) evaluated news regarding a possible lift of the ban on short-selling in the stock market. Atabay highlighted that investors faced a tougher market ahead, emphasizing, “If you’re a very small investor, you could lose your assets with these short sales. It’s turning into a ‘wolf’s table’ here.”
Reflecting on how small investors who couldn’t profit from interest rates have warmed to the stock market through IPOs, Atabay noted that the restrictions on financial markets were gradually being lifted.
A Dangerous Period
Describing the situation on the stock market as “bleak,” Atabay remarked that the possibility of lifting or regulating the short-selling ban is “a necessary step. Having a ban was not very natural to begin with. However, the market will become far tougher—not a straightforward downward trend but challenging nonetheless. If you’re a very small investor thinking, ‘I’ve made money today, I know how to trade in the stock market,’ you may lose everything here due to short sales. We’re entering a period where professional fund managers should be handling things. It’s becoming more of a ‘wolf’s table,’ a place for seasoned players,” she commented.
