What is the best way to enter spread orders using IB? I do both intracommodity spreads and intermarket spreads. Can both orders be fired off at the same time?
We currently don't have an intermarket spread function. If you'd like to see one, I'd suggest sending an e-mail with the request to ibmgt@interactivebrokers.com (be as specific as possible as to what you want). For intramakret spreads, it depends. -For stock options, use the combo function and the menus are self-explanatory to set up the following - boxes, butterflies, cal sprds, syntethic put/call, diagonals, straddles, strangles, synthetics and vertical spreads in the ratios of your choice). -For stock futures, use the comb button to choose the months. -For futures, use the futsprd button.
when you add a market, it is on the menu that pops up. another thing that comes to mind is that you can use conditional or OCA orders to leg into spreads. Ie. if filled on market X then send in an order to market Y.
def Am I missing something? I don't see how to price the spread or are both sides sent as market orders. eg a debit spread at 1.00 and I wanted to try at .95 could I?
When you place simultaneous market orders, it has the same effect as entering a spread without telling the floor what you are doing.
Here is my frontend for monitoring and placing spread orders on IB. If you're interested, just PM me. pretzel