difference between index options and future options

Can you trade credit spreads in an IRA?

 

Learning about how SPAN is calculated might be of use:

http://www.cme.com/clearing/rmspan/span/compont2480.html

You can download the daily SPAN data files from here:

http://www.cme.com/ftp.wrap/span/data/

...but you need to know how to decipher those files and put them to use.

You can purchase PC-SPAN:

http://www.cme.com/clearing/rmspan/span/orderpc2481.html

...but that costs $500

OR you can sign up/open an account with Interactive Brokers or Xpresstrade(no minimum to open account) to gain access to their SPAN calculators etc.

I have no affiliation with any of the above.

Since SPAN has been adopted by derivatives exchanges world-wide, there are bound to be free SPAN calculators floating around. However, since I am not intimate with any implementation differences between exchanges I would say it is highly probable that using a calculator meant for one exchange on the products of another could be misleading.

Indeed, here is one for LCH.Clearnet/Euronext.Liffe:

http://www.lch.com/services/technology/pcspanv4.asp?noflash=false

Disclaimer: I haven't tried this out myself.

MoMoney.

 

Yes, but it is factored into the commissions

 

Not defending the practice, but there are "execution credits" that help to offset any cancellation fees: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/accounts/fees/otherFees.php?ib_entity=uk#cancel

When it comes to fees/charges etc. it appears that IB have not been introduced to KISS.

MoMoney.

 

What a coincidence! I just read this piece of news:

<img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1085039> aardvark

 

ANY defined risk trade....Credit spreads, calendars, naked puts...only naked calls are not allowed at TOS which right now is the best broker if you want to trade options in your IRA. You cannot trade ES however anywhere in an IRA some sort of reg rule's...it may change I have no clue why you could not at least buy ES.


Cnms2 Love the pic of me and little aardvark...I think we are kinda cute

 

You know Yip...I've actually been to Yap!.....sorry just had to say it

 

Can you trade ES options in IRA?

 

There are no restrictions on trading any futures and futures options on IRA. These instruments do not involve money borrowing.

AFAIK, there are no free SPAN margin calculators. London SPAN calculator works fine but only for British markets.

 

This may be a dumb question since I'm not familiar with futures trading but can you then "short" futures or options on futures? would not that involve borrowing?