SGOV margin requirement much out of whack?

Discussion in 'ETFs' started by blueraincap, May 7, 2023.

  1. I am trying to find a way to manage positive USD cash balance in my options trading portfolio. I use IBKR and my cash balance can go positive and negative weekly depending on my trading portfolio. I need something with minimal margin consumption.

    For the money market ETFs I check:
    • BIL SPDR 1-3month Treasury, 9.9% initial margin
    • SHV iShares 1-12month Treasury, 9.9% initial margin
    • SHY iShares 1-3yr Treasury, 9.9% initial margin
    • IEI iShares 3-7yr Treasury, 9.9% initial margin
    • IGSB iShares 1-5year IG, 16.5% initial margin
    • HYG iShares HY, 27.5% initial margin
    • SGOV iShares 0-3month Treasury, 27.5% initial margin
    Why the fuck is SGOV margin requirement out of whack with other treasury ETFs and is identical to that of HYG?
     
  2. Isn't the yield on cash in IBKR really close to buying treasuries yourself? Sweeping cash manually at EOD costs the 1c spread which is as much as half or all of the daily gains on SGOV.