Interactive Brokers Margin Impact question

Discussion in 'Trading Software' started by newguy05, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. Hi does anyone know:

    1) When you click the Check Margin button of a trade, what does the Margin Impact box (Initial Margin, Maintenance Margin, Equity With Loan) actually means?

    Is it the TOTAL outstanding margin of your account INCLUDING this trade. Or is it the outstanding margin for just this ONE trade.

    It's not making any sense, for example if i try to buy 1 share of some $10 stock, it says my Margin Impact is at around $20k!

    2) When does margin calls start to happen in IB? is it when your Maintenance Margin falls below Equity With Loan value by ?? percentage amount?

    thanks