its not unheard of for brokers to downgrade easily manipulated company's in an attempt to devalue the stock. The stock can the be bought at cheap prices by "certain investors" in anticipation of a big rise. I'm not saying anything unsporting is happening in this case but it does happen, more than people might realise. By the very nature of large brokers and fund manager etc, they are privy to more information, sooner than the general public.