It happens and has been forever. Even Jesse Livermore took part.

The most important defense is to accept that it happens, and where possible take part in the buying the manipulators are counting on.

Almost 50% of trading is now done by computers. This can cause alot of volatility and be used for manipulation.

It's easy because most people trade stocks based on emotion. Most people are impatient as well.

Many stock holders are overextended on a stock (too emotional) and tend to panic when things go south to save their skin.

Or they have set stops to inhibit loss. Manipulators can take advantage of many similar scenarios.

All markets regularly get tested to see where money can be made.

The manipulators will sell it down to test how the retailers will react. Holders of different stocks may react different.

It's obviously in the manipulators best interest to work on the the weak hands .. the most emotional .. the most easily swayed.

What goes through your mind when all of a sudden someone puts up the sale of 200,000 shares when you are lost for an explanation ... i.e. when nothing but blue sky appears to be on the horizon?

Once the selling starts, others follow ... emotion, human nature. Same the other way.

Manipulators can buy buy buy to get the 'herd' to follow.

Of course at one point prior, the manipulators stop .. then do a big sell when the share price is such that they realize profit.

Happens all the time, and with great ease on stocks that meet the conspirator's criteria.

Somewhere I read that markets don't move, they are 'moved'.

I believe it.

Wish I had a billion dollars to throw around.