If they really wanted to sell their shares they would be piecing it out, spreading it out on the asks, or using an icberg order..... This is an obvious attempt to slow things down.

What would really rattle them is if someone comes in and takes out that block.

I was trying to accumulate stock on another company and tried this tactic, only to have my position wiped out and buying back in at a higher price. Also could be a short where the house trader is shorting his own clients stock.... Anyone here have a large block with scotia? If you think this could be your stock then all you need to do is put your own sell in at a much higher price and the trader would be forced to cancell his order. If it is that scenario.

In any case there is a motive behind all of those posabilities..... this is not the trading tactic of an asstute long individual investor trying to maximize his profit.