Hi, I just got an email from Datek on how they are handling the new rules. They are offering all margin accounts 4-1. I stil haven't opened an ib account. This makes the choice a little harder. Below is the email contents: GaretJax On September 28, 2001, new NASD/NYSE day trading margin requirements will go into effect for all brokers. The new industry-wide day trading rules outline specific requirements that all accounts that frequently day trade must comply with. While the new day trading rules offer increased leverage, they also present the opportunity for greater losses. We ask that you take the time to understand how the new day trading rules will affect your account. My account hasn't been tagged as a pattern day trader account. What does this have to do with me? Datek is giving all margin accounts access to the additional day trading buying power as permitted by the new rule. Unless your account's trading pattern matches that of the NASD/NYSE day trading margin rule, you will not be required to meet day trading margin restrictions. However, we still ask that all margin account holders be educated on the new rules as they may affect your account. Should your account be tagged as a pattern day trading account in the future, Datek will notify you of the designation. What are the new day trading margin requirements for pattern day traders? A "pattern day trader" is defined as an account that makes 4 round-trip day trades (buying and selling the same security in one day) in any rolling 5 business day period. Pattern day traders will be subject to a new set of day trading rules and requirements. Here's what you need to know: · Under the new rules, customers that have been identified as pattern day traders must maintain $25,000 in marginable equity at all times. Pattern day trader accounts that fall below the $25,000 NASD/NYSE minimum will be restricted to cash transactions only, until the minimum equity amount is reached. Go to http://www.datek.com/helpdesk/transfers.html to find out how to transfer equity or http://www.datek.com/helpdesk/deposits.html for information on depositing cash and securities to meet the new $25,000 minimum. · A day trading margin call will be generated as soon as an executed day trade in a pattern day trader account exceeds the day trading buying power. Customers will have 5 business days to fulfill a day trading margin call. Only a deposit of cash or fully paid securities can satisfy a day trading margin call. · A day trading call must be met in 5 business days. If the day trade margin call is not satisfied by the fifth business day, the new NASD/NYSE rules require that the account be restricted to trading on a cash available basis for 90 days or until the day trade call is met. How am I given increased leverage under the new rules? The new rules modify the day trading buying power calculations, giving you access to 4 times the margin maintenance excess. This is a two-fold increase in the possible leverage available under current rules. Example: A pattern day trader with a cash balance of $30,000 and no positions in their account would have access to $120,000 day trading buying power ($120,000 = (4*30,000)). Day trading buying power is calculated based on the positions and cash in an account at the end of the trading day. Generally, you can calculate your day trading buying power using the following formula: [75% of the Long Stock Value (LSV) - 130% of any Short Stock Value (SSV) + Cash]*41 As an added benefit, we will display your day trading buying power in real-time on your portfolio and trading pages as soon as the new rules go into effect. This buying power figure is the amount available for day trading. Day trading buying power does not change based on gains and losses in your account that occur intra-day. Be aware that all margin accounts will have access to the greater of either their stock buying power or their day trading buying power. Our systems will always allow an order to go through based on the higher buying power amount. Since our systems have no way of determining whether you will hold the position overnight or just for the day, it's your responsibility to enter trades that remain within the buying power for the type of trade you're making. What can I do to meet a day trading margin call? Should you need to meet a day trading margin call, the fastest way is by wiring funds to your account or sending an overnight check. For help with mailing addresses and wire instructions, go to http://www.datek.com/helpdesk/deposits.html. Remember, day trading calls can only be met by depositing cash or non-margined securities. Is this industry-wide? Will all brokers have to comply with these rules? The new day trading rules are NASD/NYSE requirements that will have to be followed by all brokers. We are ready for these changes and are taking all the right steps to make sure you are ready as well. If your account is tagged as a pattern day trading account according to the new NASD/NYSE definition, you will receive notification from Datek. If your account has already been tagged as a pattern day trader under the current rule, the tag will remain in place for 90-days after your last day-trade and you will be required to be in compliance with the new rule as of September 28, 2001. Fully understanding your risk tolerance and the new NASD/NYSE margin requirements allows you to better manage your margin account. Please review our Helpdesk at http://www.datek.com/helpdesk/margin.html#daytrading for more information on the new day trading rules. If you have questions about the NASD's new margin requirement or need assistance with your account, please email our customer support staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at support@datek.com, or call 1-877-94-DATEK (1-877-943-2835) from 8 AM to midnight ET on weekdays, and from 9 AM to 7 PM ET on weekends. Sincerely, Datek Online Financial Services LLC
Datek's definition of a day trading account is interesting. The following is from their @nswerBox question regarding day trading margin requirements: "Day trading margin requirements A day trade occurs when you buy and sell the same stock during the same trading day. If you day trade three times in any one day or three times in any twelve-month period your account will be characterized as a day trading account." So, if I swing trade but my protective stop is hit on the same day I enter the trade and this happens three times within a one year period I'm a day trader ? I hope this is an error.
Interesting question... If more then 6% of your positions get stopped out same day you opened the position, you are a pattern day trader based on the new rules.
we all type in this box, however, what most of us do is keep typing instead of forcing a hard carriage return, we let it loop-back for us, this way, excellent comments like yours, which started this thread, don't cost so many scroll lines, and we can read significant content without unnecessary paging. given that these threads are heavy on the verbage, such a nice politeness counts volumes. I'm going to check out Datek, on your advise.