TOS freezes every now and then when volatility is high. I'm in Europe and it happen less often for me. My theory, I'm connected to different servers. Not everyone is affected at the same degree. Off-topic: Last week there was a internet blackout in my region. No web surfing, web radio... all dead. I us DNS from my ISP and Google. So it wasn't an DNS issue. The only thing what was running was TOS. I have no clue how this is possible. However, TOS is great for charting. I have some custom indicators which I can't miss. So Iwould keep TOS for charts but another broker for trade execution.
I had the same with Esignal or with Tradestation. Don't remember which one. Internet out but that one connection was still running. But if you close that connection too, you cannot reopen it until internet works again. So apparently you need internet to make a first connection.
This is exactly what even I was wondering. After some research I have found that IB is using a Reg-T risk methodology for US traders and Portfolio Margin methodology (Based on T.I.M.S) for UK / EU traders. There is $100k balance requirement for portfolio margin accounts. Source: https://www1.interactivebrokers.com...tes/WN-UnderstandingIBMargin.php?ib_entity=in I have however emailed IB regarding this margin discrepancy and Im waiting for their response.