If I understand correctly, accounts tagged as pattern day traders have 4:1 buying power. However, at the end of each day, Regulation T says that you must have 50% margin, which means that your max leverage at the end of the day cannot be greater than 2:1. Therefore the broker will start liquidating your account near the close if you're above 2:1. Is this how it works? IF yes, how can someone maintain 4:1 on overnight positions?
na... You must have an account equity > 25K to get 4 to 1 margin. Or else, you only get 2 to 1 margin.
Yes, say the account does have > $25K equity. I think there is still that Reg T. requirement at the end of the day that prevents you from holding 4:1 on overnight positions though. Maybe someone who has held 4:1 overnight before, or someone from one of the brokerages, can jump in and clarify this.
Nothing more to clarify! 2:1 overnight 4:1 daytrading Want more leverage, move to futures or get a series 7. Why even bother to get into this crap business nowadays?
Everyone's right about the overnight 2 to 1 margin and I know that was the original question, so it's been answered. However, if you are under 25K you CAN still daytrade with 4 to 1 margin. What you DON'T want to happen is to be classified as a "pattern day trader". This happens if you make 4 day trades in a 5 business day period. If you keep from becoming a PDT, you are fine daytrading while your equity is under 25K. If you become a PDT, don't have 25K equity, and then daytrade, most brokers will have to close your account. There are no exceptions to this. Also, brokers will not automatically liquidate you if hold the 4 to 1 overnight. You will just be subject to a Reg-T call. If you cannot meet this by the 5th day, you will then be liquidated and a restriction may placed on your account from online trading. Most firms are 90 days. If you have daytraded and have overspent the 4 to 1, that's a day trade call. If you can't meet that call, you'll also be restricted. But for that restriction, you no longer have 4 to 1 margin for daytrading. You will only have 2 to 1, just as a normal purchase. But, you can only use the 2 to 1 ONE TIME during the day to day trade. When using 4 to 1 normal day trading buying power, the amount is calculated only on the highest amount you had open at any one time during the day. This can make a huge difference. Hope this helps.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but in order to get 4:1 margin you need more than 25K, if your equity is below that you get only 2:1.
are you sure about this? say you have $50,000 equity and $200,000 in positions so you are at 4:1. At some point near the close, will the broker liquidate you so that you're at 2:1?