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    Are lower 60/40 tax rates on futures in jeopardy of repeal?

    I don't think that Green deserves any criticism for talking about the issue. It's inevitable this would come about. Firstly, it was nice while it lasted. But secondly, never underestimate the financial industry's political power... Everyone said carried interest was inevitably dead last...
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    Minimum and SPAN margins for options selling

    And just to be clear: SPAN margin requirements are what the exchange requires your FCM to post *every day* in cash or cash-equivalents. The goal from the exchange perspective is simple: someone has to be on the hook to make good on this contract. It's up to your FCM to require more or less...
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    Minimum and SPAN margins for options selling

    Hi, I dug up my CME account info just so I could re-download PC-SPAN for ya... hope you're grateful. ;). Using July 8th settlement requirements from the CME... - 1 Aug 90 put, $5704/4099 (initial/maint)... including $170 short option premium. - 1 July 1310 ES put, $4368/3516...
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    Minimum and SPAN margins for options selling

    I personally paid $500 for PC SPAN, and used it religiously for a while. I was able to determine that my broker was calculating margin incorrectly, and ultimately moved. The amount of margin required by a FCM is a businss decision. Their risk department will make a determination based on...
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    Rol's Trading Journal

    Most platforms will give you some kind of intraday number account value based on last or ask/bid mid-point, and I take it that's what you're reporting. I think that you're telling me is, B = your account value at open today = your account value at close yesterday - $1700? Just my two...
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    Rol's Trading Journal

    Hi Rol, First off, nice to see you keeping up the effort and providing such detail. I feel like I'm missing something here, though. From today's numbers: A. Real-time Account Net Worth $73,076.70 B. Beginning Day Account Net Worth $71,472.33 C. Real-time Unrealized P/L ($354.35) D...
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    My account value reaches $600,000 for the first time; launching incubator hedge fund

    I don't know you or your situation well enough to give you a specific action plan. Best thing I can do to help is lay out options, and you figure out what makes sense for you. For *me*, if I was in your situation... it would be a no-brainer for me to launch the business aspect of things...
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    My account value reaches $600,000 for the first time; launching incubator hedge fund

    Hi, If that's the kind of information you're looking for, just ask. No, you certainly don't have enough track record (or size) to be attractive to institutional investors. Until you're managing > $10mm in assets, and approaching 3 years of audited track record (and certainly monthly...
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    Mobile trading using iPad

    IB has a very nice native solution, with all the instruments from usual tws platform.
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    2011: Rebuilding My Battered Account

    Don't be embarrassed. This market has been humbling for a lot of people. Anyone who's done this for years inevitably goes through challenges. Maybe you should be concerned, but that's a different story. You don't own anyone else an explanation.
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    Shaquille O'Neal: "I was a daytrader"

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavor_of_Love_(season_1) I admit it, I actually watched this show. (Can I blame the then-girlfriend/now-wife? Even if I might have watched a few episodes without her?) It was really, really, really disgusting. Imagine "The Bachelor"... except the guy is...
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    Shaquille O'Neal: "I was a daytrader"

    The girl is hot, but seriously... I'd never touch, much less kiss, anything that's come in contact with Flavor Flav. Blech.
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    Explain to a 5 year old, how is trading different from gambling?

    Yes, and yes. I love Vegas... specifically, I love blackjack and craps. But I'm well aware of the difference between gambling and investing.
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    Explain to a 5 year old, how is trading different from gambling?

    The probability/statistics behind every game of chance on the casino floor is extremely well known. The casino has no problems being down millions of dollars to a big gambler... as long as they play the game (as designed) long enough, it's coming back to the casino.
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    Explain to a 5 year old, how is trading different from gambling?

    Damn it. This is almost exactly the point I was about to make. With every hand/game played... the gamblers are gambling, while the casinos are investing.
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    heard bank traders are selling vol and delta hedging...

    I heard heech is having Mexican for lunch. Thoughts?
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    Philosophy behind trading Commodity Futures

    You guys have it backwards, I think. Regardless of how much it costs the station to refill his tank, he has every expectation of passing those costs on to the end user. If prices subsequently goes up beyond expectations, he has extra profit. If prices drop, he may take a small loss. Over...
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    Philosophy behind trading Commodity Futures

    I don't understand your gas station example in that thread. Why wouldn't I just sell gasoline at the price I paid plus a small percentage premium? Why do I need to try to anticipate the "most" price could be in the following week? Or, why wouldn't I just adjust prices daily...?
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    Philosophy behind trading Commodity Futures

    Well, in the previous paragraph I said specifically I was referring to speculators who don't want to take delivery. As far as those that do, it doesn't change the long term picture: prices will still ultimately have to converge to fundamentals, and these guys pay a penalty (in storage fees) for...
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