That's true for stock options. ES future options for example and some indices like SPX, trade overnight.
Theta positive means you are harvesting premium, correct? I consider 50% of underlying value as required overnight margin.
skimming this I would have bet it was not understanding RegT 4x intraday and 2x overnight. OP: are you sure you are on portfolio margin?
Ok,I have to ask.... Why are you still at IB?? They crush you in commissions,and if you are trading 4 leg spreads,that sheet really adds up... Ive never encountered this moving margin you speak of...
Hes talking about a different beast.... Not a day trader who is flat at EOD,but i am guessing if you are flat(no position) at the close,and dont hold overnight,clearing firms probably let you lever up intraday...
Now I realized many replyers in this thread are using RegT instead of portfolio account that I'm with. Sorry I didn't clarify it in the beginning. I took it for granted because the latter usually has significantly less margin than the former for well hedged portfolio. Positive theta means if the market stayed the same, you would make money when time elapse. Yes, options are with negative theta and the writer harvests premium.
%% Nothing like a good broker' s risk management policy; but i never took a margin call or auto repo as ''an annoyance'' OOPs. Plenty of ways to fix that\ cash account, ETFs, non leveraged ETFs, reasonable size; or keep doing the same thing [sarcasm ] when the account\accounts blow up\ maybe get a clue Hope this helps , it helps me....................
Did you closely look at your margin report? It will list somewhat detailed charges. Menu options: Account Risk Reports Margin Report At least those are the menu options on my (rather old) version of the software. Otherwise you can check for the report on the web-site.