Long or Short ?

A grossly simplified answer would be -

Long = have stock
Short = sold stock to someone else without having it in the first place, ultimately need to buy it to settle the original trade but hoping to be able to buy if for less in order to make a profit on the difference.

In terms of outlook -

Long = optimistic on prices so buying
Short = expecting falling prices and employing a strategy of to turn a profit on this assumption

Duane B

rcarduino.blogspot.com