A few things IMHOThis deal is looking great. I expect @$1.40/share in earnings for 2006, and that the share price will be north of $10.00 by summer, hopefully in the spring of 06. I started my position at $2.65, then backed the truck up at $3.95, once q3 results were out. An absolute no-brainer.
The funds really don't have much to buy in canada, especially for their canadian growth stuff, so you can bet that HBM will be on their "to-do" lists this coming spring. Imagine when our 2005 annual report is out - heads will turn.. You can also bet that the recent share price run-up was classic "window dressing" for some fund managers.
As for the large short position, my guess is that it is the work of hedge funds who have loaded up on warrants where there is a tad more leverage or upside. As they have the warrants, they are essentially covered and are not exposed. The idea here is that as the share price increases, they make more precentage wise on the warrants, even with their short position. Should the share price fall, they can make some $ with thier short positions. Likeley computer programs dealing with risk have them short the stock and long the warrants. Not to worry IMHO..
Lastly, as they are now the 3rd largest miner on the TSX, you can bet that they will be included in the TSX composite this coming year, thus adding a little more spark to their share price. Knowing the dough-heads that design the composite, all the upside will be gone when they add it the index - LOL.. These guys are always late to the feast, using adding companies once the party is over.
Good luck to all longs
See ya at $10.00 soon!
JANDD