The Short List is a proprietary tool on TradeZero America’s trading platform that checks the availability and price per share of locate-required securities.

 Get instant help with our 24/7 x 365 live chat support.


 Call us at +1-877-4-TRADE-0 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET). We always pick up.


 Send your queries to support@tradezero.us and we’ll get back to you promptly.

The easy to borrow list (short list) is imported daily into the trading platform. 

If the stock is easy to borrow the trading platform will show a green "S" next to the symbol box.

The rate is determined by the supply and demand to locate the shares on that day.

The fees can vary during the day depending on market conditions. Locate fees are charged only after the price for the locate is accepted.

If the locate shares are declined, then no fee is charged.

TradeZero’s short list locator calculates the marginability of a stock based on the current price of the stock at the time you request the locate. 

If the stock drops below $3, the stock is no longer marginable.

This may occur between the time you locate shares and the time you place a short order. 

When a stock becomes non-marginable, this may reduce the number of shares you may trade regardless of how many shares you have located. 

Conversely, if the stock price rallies above $3, it will again become marginable and this too may increase the number of shares you can trade.

However, please keep in mind that TradeZero does not permit shorting any stock below $1.

If the price of a stock falls below $1 between the time you locate shares and the time you place a short order, you will not be able to short the stock. 

Furthermore, you will not be able to use any located shares while the stock remains below $1.

TradeZero cannot refund the cost of any shares you locate because of the change in marginability of the stock or if the stock drops below $1.

TradeZero does give you the ability to put up for credit any unused shares and if these shares are located by another TradeZero client, you can recoup up to 50% of the locate price.

You are able to take advantage of this feature until 8 PM ET.

When a stock is halted, it means trading is suspended by the regulatory bodies overseeing the exchanges and marketplaces. This may occur for a variety of reasons including, pending news, regulatory investigation, corporate restructure, or activation of the Limit Up Limit Down rule.

If a stock is halted only for a brief period during the day, your open short position can be covered when trading resumes.

However, if a stock is halted for an extended period of time and you cannot cover the open short position before the close of after-hours trading at 8 PM ET, you will be responsible to pay any overnight borrow costs, margin costs and any other fees incurred daily until the stock begins trading and the position can be covered or until DTC delists the security.

TradeZero will need to have sufficient equity in the account to cover these charges.

For more information on trading halts see: 

https://www.finra.org/investors/investing/investment-products/stocks/trading-halts-delays-suspensions

All short positions, whether located, pre-borrowed or on the easy to borrow list, if held after 8 PM ET, the cut off period to close your position, will pay an Overnight Borrow charge starting that night and every night after you hold your position short. This will include Weekends and Holidays.

For example, if you short 100 shares of XYZ on Friday, and you close out your position on the following Monday, you will pay an Overnight Borrow charge Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If Monday were a holiday, and you closed your position on Tuesday, you would be charged an Overnight Borrow charge on Monday also.


How are Overnight Borrow Rates calculated?

All short positions held overnight are charged at the daily market rate which changes based on market conditions. In your client portal under Tools > Overnight Borrow Calculator, you will find an overnight borrow fee calculator which will provide an estimate for borrow costs related to any shares you would hold short overnight.

*If an account receives a Reg SHO Notice, the shares receiving the notice, no matter whether a fee was paid, will need to be liquidated as per Reg SHO Notice.

Short Selling