Andrew Left

Andrew Left
Born (1970-07-09) July 9, 1970 (age 54)
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materNortheastern University
Occupation(s)financial analyst, financial writer, short seller
Years active1995 – present
OrganizationCitron Research
Known forActivist short selling
Spouses
Andrea Left
​
(m. 2001⁠–⁠2008)​
  • Stephanie Left
Children4
Websitecitronresearch.com

Andrew Edward Left (born July 9, 1970) is an activist short seller, author and editor of the online investment newsletter Citron Research, formerly StockLemon.com.[1][2] Under the name Citron Research, Left publishes reports on firms that he claims are overvalued or are engaged in fraud. Left is known for advising investors on short selling and has often appeared on various media outlets such as CNBC and Bloomberg to talk about his opinions on stocks.[3][4] In 2017, Left was called 'The Bounty Hunter of Wall Street' by The New York Times.[5] Left gained further notoriety following his announced short of GameStop, precipitating a short squeeze that has hurt him and other short sellers in the short term.[6]

Citron launched 51 investigative reports against S&P 500 companies, as well as several Chinese companies, citing allegations of pyramid schemes, ineffective products and accounting, or business frauds.[7] In 2016, Left was banned for five years by the Hong Kong Market Misconduct Tribunal (chaired by Justice Michael Hartmann) for allegedly disclosing false or misleading information in connection with the publication of a research report on Chinese property developer Evergrande Group, and so inducing transactions under the Securities and Futures Ordinance.[8][9] Although Left's report was correct, his punishment was not rescinded.[10] Despite being sued by multiple companies for the reports he has released, Left claims he has never lost a case in the United States;[4][11] however, before Citron Research, the National Futures Association sanctioned Left and stated that he "made false and misleading statements to cheat, defraud or deceive a customer in violation of NFA compliance rules."[12][13]

In July 2024, federal prosecutors arrested and charged Left with multiple civil and criminal charges, alleging he illegally manipulated the stock market.[14][15]

  1. ^ "Drug Maker Questor Down on Short Seller Comments". Reuters. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  2. ^ "Citron Research Vindicated - The Motley Fool Blog". Caps.fool.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  3. ^ Paul R. La Monica (March 2, 2016). "More bad news for Tesla and Elon Musk". CNN. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Matt Wirz (October 22, 2015). "The 'Short' Who Sank Valeant Stock". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  5. ^ Jesse Barron (8 June 2017). "The Bounty Hunter of Wall Street". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "GameStop Shares Soar as Citron Abandons Stock".
  7. ^ Oliver Renick; Anna-Louise Jackson; Joseph Ciolli (October 21, 2015). "Ackman Feeling Shortseller's Sting as Citron Sinks Valeant Stock". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference MMTReportI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference MMTReportII was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2021EvergrandeReaction was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Citron's Andrew Left on Life As A Short-Seller". Business Insider. December 9, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lee was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Levine, Matt (July 26, 2024). "Andrew Left Wasn't Short for Long - Bloomberg". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved July 26, 2024. Alt URL