What is the best way to use idle cash of an active option trader

Discussion in 'Options' started by curiosity, Nov 1, 2024.

  1. Robert Morse

    Robert Morse Sponsor

    ETF Symbol BOXX on the OCC Calculator was not present so I was unable to check the requirement. I can tell you it is not cash and will not be treated that way.
     
    #11     Nov 3, 2024
  2. yeah, AFAIK same for MMFs - OCC only treats USTs as cash-equivalent
     
    #12     Nov 3, 2024
  3. How to buy MMF in Charles schwab?
     
    #13     Nov 3, 2024
  4. Adam777

    Adam777

    #14     Nov 4, 2024
  5. newwurldmn

    newwurldmn

    #15     Nov 4, 2024
    Adam777 likes this.
  6. So can you suggest what kind of security I can buy that can earn interest and I can use that for options buying power so I can also trade without paying any margin interest even if I hold that short option position for like a week.

    I spoke with Schwab rep. and he said t-bills are not cash and you can not get option BP so if u hold the short option position overnight u will pay margin interest...
    I am like what is the point ? I will end up paying more on your margin interest than I might earn on t-bills
     
    #16     Nov 4, 2024
  7. I spoke with Schwab rep. and he said t-bills are not cash and you can not get option BP so if u hold the short option position overnight u will pay margin interest...
    I am like what is the point ? I will end up paying more on your margin interest than I might earn on t-bills
     
    #17     Nov 4, 2024
    ironchef likes this.
  8. Robert Morse

    Robert Morse Sponsor

    It makes a difference how much money we are talking about. $30,000 account vs $3mm. I'm not asking you for the size of your account, but you have to consider how important this is to you. In an equity margin account, we hold back 10% for T-bills. In a simple example, if your account has $125,000 in CASH and you buy about $100,000 in T-bills (value, not at maturity), your account will have $25,000 in CASH and an excess of $90,000 from the T-bill. That excess is a total of $115,000 that we would use to provide buying power based on the leverage assigned. Since options are not marginable, you would have about $115,000 to buy options.

     
    #18     Nov 4, 2024
  9. ironchef

    ironchef

    Buy SWVXX if below $1M, SNAXX if you have more than $1M.

    Today, SWVXX pays 4.68% and SNAXX pays 4.83%. I think they both compound monthly.
     
    #19     Nov 4, 2024
    krowland and trend2009 like this.
  10. ironchef

    ironchef

    Thank you for the info. I have a question: If you have cash in your account, does it mean you don't pay margin interest?
     
    #20     Nov 4, 2024
    curiosity likes this.