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.
Can you help answer these questions from other members on futures io?
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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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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