Short squeezes, SPACs, and market volatility

Michael J. Scanlon, Jr., CFA, portfolio manager at Manulife Investment Management, discusses the recent stock market volatility and why companies beating quarterly earnings estimates may be getting lost in the shuffle as investors focus on recent hedge fund losses. Scanlon, who co-manages the John Hancock Balanced Fund, delves into the mechanics of shorting a stock, how short squeezes happen, and why short sellers are often unfairly labeled as villains. The portfolio manager also offers his thoughts on the recent explosion of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), signs of frothiness in the markets, and the importance of maintaining a long-term mindset during volatile times.