With respect to the low daily volumes, I would hope that the reason they are so low, is because the longs on SLI that are selling their shares are becoming fewer and fewer. It does create an opportunity for manipulation, though, you are quite right.

I believe that the reason the sp is drifting is the lack of news, and that falls right in the lap of management. Even if there was nothing new to report, management should put out a weekly update on the progress in the various activities we are involved in. If persons that short, or daily flippers know that each week something will be released, they may be less likely to manipulate.

IMO