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Im struggling to understand IBKR


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  #1 (permalink)
 FrazMann 
Aberdeen/Scotland
 
Experience: None
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Hi, im struggling to understand the following:

https://imgur.com/a/tYnCIvL

1) Why is the initial margin and maintenance margin stated as $108k and $80k? On the CME page is states its only $6.6k for maintenance but i cant find the initial value.

2) Where is the $689 coming from, in the middle column in the Equity and Loans row?

3) Although i have a funded account with IBKR, ive not used it for a couple yrs as i have been busy with work and i dont find it intuitive. Does anyone have an alternative recommendation, ideally one regulated by the FCA?

Thanks for your time.


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 kremat0r 
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1.It's exchange margin. Broker can lower it or make it even bigger. IBKR is known for high margins, I think to protect their business. If you are looking for low margin broker, IBKR is NOT one of them.

2. "Equity with Loan Value (ELV) – Forms the basis for determining whether a client has the necessary assets to either initiate or maintain security positions. Equals cash + stock value + bond value + mutual fund value + European and Asian options value (excludes market value U.S. securities & futures options and cash maintained in futures segment). "

So nothing "important".

3. Look on the forum, there is few brokers topics.


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 Pa Dax 
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It's usually is different during RTH. Like ES lowers automatically at 9.30 EST.

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 SMCJB 
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FrazMann View Post
Why is the initial margin and maintenance margin stated as $108k and $80k? On the CME page is states its only $6.6k for maintenance but i cant find the initial value.

CME publishes Member Margin Rates which are the same as Maintenance Margin rates. Initial margin rates for non-members are 10% higher. As already stated by others, IBKR are known to have high margin rates, and aggressive liquidation policies. If you look at this page here (its a long way down), it says IBKR require $27k margin for a CL future. Hence 4* $27k = $108k. Given that a CL contract is a 1000 barrels, that represents a move of $27/bbl!!!!!!!!!! While IBKR definitely have their faults, I believe it's one of the few places that you can trade equities, bonds, fx, futures and options all in the same account.


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Last Updated on February 24, 2023


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