Hi, IBKR can configure accounts to be in Chicago, New York, Europe, Singapore, or China. That assignment depends on country of residence I guess. They do allow to change to another location. I wonder what is the difference between New York and Chicago? For example, is Chicago better because it's close to CBOE? is New York a bigger overall market and account being in New York gives a bit better market data return performance for securities listed on NYSE? I understand my own home location matters for connection delays but that is NOT the question here and I don't need answers in regards to that. You can assume that the user will be in the same city and very close to the data center. If you know any other reasons as to why people change account to one location that the other please explain. Thanks,
it is where the exchange has its servers. closer to those machines the faster you get data. all things being equal.
I don't think IBKR systems are right beside exchanges servers. IBKR is a broker not an exchange and exchanges may or may not allow IBKR to be in their data centers however IBKR may choose to be close to exchanges by being in same building, same room, same city, etc...That is true of exchanges when it comes to IBKR except for Forex which IBKR is the exchange for it. Forex is over the counter so maybe direct connections to banks... I think I can ask my question in a better way now: What advantage or disadvantage might a user account have if their IBKR account is based in Chicago VS New York datacenter? This may or may not provide an advantage. Those who have experience please give feedback. Thanks,