----for their masters?

In the example of Connacher where it is the marionette and its institutional investors the masters, can there even be any room for dispute of the premise? My conclusion would be a resounding no!

In the past month oil has advanced in price $10.00 or 13%. In the same time frame Connacher posted a surprising profit. The net effect on the SP? Nada, zilch, zero! During this time the volume of shares traded has been exceeding the norms.

Does such a scenario really allow for any conclusion other than manipulation for purpose of accumulation? It would be my contention , no!

Who would benefit by any such manipulation? Obviously the institutional investors behind the manipulation. But also, I would contend the "insider" members of management as they can benefit from accumulation of shares at manipulated artificially low prices beyond the constraints of "insider" trading restrictions and would likely share the knowledge of the intentional manipulation.

Proveable based on information available to those not inside the manipulation? Of course not. But a question. Does any element of the situation pass the smell test?

My conclusion would have to be no!

Brian