Regulators imposed a temporary short-selling ban in some European nations because markets in the world

Regulators imposed a temporary short-selling ban in four European nations, effective Friday, in order to tame the wild market volatility that has taken markets throughout the world on a roller coaster ride. The European Securities and Markets Authority, which is the European version of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said France, Italy, Spain and Belgium have all "decided to impose or extend existing short-selling bans in their respective countries." Short-selling occurs when brokers borrow shares and sell them with an expectation of making money on the shares’ decline in value. France and Spain announced that their short-selling bans will last for 15 days, and could be extended, if deemed necessary.