What's IBKR's policy on GME now?

Discussion in 'Interactive Brokers' started by blueraincap, Feb 3, 2021.

  1. I recall getting an email a week ago and deleted.
    What's the latest policy on GME margin, especially short options?

    PS: the customer chat is forever unavailable.
     
    d08 likes this.
  2. jys78

    jys78

    Bidness as usual.
     
  3. Seems that I need to have 100% cash to back a short put, assuming I will be assigned.
     
  4. d08

    d08

    Even if you reach someone, they will just say enough to get rid of you. Might as well have no chat support. It's gone completely downhill in the last 5 years.
     
    taowave likes this.
  5. It seems that all short puts must be 100%-cash-backed assuming assignment, no margin allowed. So it costs $5000 (6000-10*100) to fund a short 60-strike put ($10 price), they should vary the margining based on moneyness.
     
  6. d08

    d08

    Same with equities, it's rare to see any margin available. Most are 100% and many are 200% or even 400% margin required.
     
    murray t turtle likes this.
  7. Short stocks, maybe, but long stock requires 100%+ cash? Impossible
     
    d08 likes this.
  8. IBKR used to have a page with a table outlining the limitations on these stocks. Currently that page is empty, its contents has been removed: https://ibkr.info/node/3763
    Their FAQ page about this table also states that the limitations have been removed: https://ibkr.info/article/3764
     
    blueraincap likes this.
  9. My customer service chat log:
    -------------------------

    Martin Ma: You could check the margin by previewing the orders on trading platform. Then, it would show the change in initial margin requirement.. You could find more information about preview function in the following link: https://ibkr.info/article/644

    me: It seems IBKR treats any short puts, at whatever strikes, as if I am buying the underlying GME shares and that I need 100% cash for the purchase without typical regT margin

    What you are saying is useless

    Martin Ma: You could check the latest margin requirement

    me: that's what I am asking you now. this is so useless and waste of time
     
  10. selling a $50-strike GME put costs as much as a $700-strike Tesla put..and the IBKR CS chat guy said there is nothing put on GME and just check it yourself..
     
    #10     Feb 3, 2021