ha. I can see you like IB platform very much. When I first used it decades ago, it was instant hatred.
Just comparing there margins to others. Up another 10% this week......No other US broker has raised there margins, not even the damm exchange....I have never seen IB raise there margin so fast. Something is just not right.
CME increased performance bonds twice last week... Feb 6 eff. Feb 7... http://www.cmegroup.com/notices/clearing/2018/02/Chadv18-055.pdf Feb 8 eff. Feb 9... http://www.cmegroup.com/notices/clearing/2018/02/Chadv18-058.pdf
Probably because they now have around $100 billion in customer equity. When i opened my account back in 2004 they had under $10 billion.
I would love to use Interactive Brokers since they're pretty much the only broker who supports Ninjatrader. Sadly, their day trading margins are a tad too high for me. When the ES was a few thousand points lower, I think their day trading margins were around $3-3500 which were fine with me.
The VIX is back to almost historically average levels,18, but IB still have day trading margin turned off off. If volatility continues to contract but IB maintains almost $10,000 dollar margin just for day trading 1 lot, it is going to be more and more of an impediment to my style of day trading.
I think it's too much for most people. Prior to the recent events, I think their day trading margins was already around $6000 or so? I certainly don't want or need $500 margins, but IB's margins are way too high for me. However, in the end, it's IB's choice and I respect that. It's just a pity that they're the only broker offering Ninjatrader.
At the start of Feb 2018, IB day trading margin were around $3,500 for ES and YM and as they offered 50% reduced intra day margin for day traders. When the VIX jumps over 30, IB turn off day trading margin. However they are normally quite slow to turn it back on. Which is my main problem with their approach.
I understand. I wasn't aware their DT margins were as low as $3500. I could easily deal with that. Maybe I was too hasty when I last checked their margins (end of 2017), but I seemed to recall it was closer to $5000 then... Unless you're dependent on some type of software (like I am with Ninjatrader), I'm sure you'll find some replacement broker.