Can You Sell Short In IB IRA Account

Has anyone actually sold a short position in an index future such as ER2, ES, NQ, etc in an IB IRA Margin account?

Will this work?

What are the restrictions for such an account?
 
I've traded a couple futures in my IB IRA.

Haven't noticed much difference, except slightly higher margin limits.

I'm sure the details are listed somewhere, just been too lazy to dig them up.
 
Quote from restino:

Has anyone actually sold a short position in an index future such as ER2, ES, NQ, etc in an IB IRA Margin account?

Will this work?

What are the restrictions for such an account?
Yes (right now in fact),

Yes,

You must have enough available funds to cover the margin requirements
 
glad to know i can sell short in my IRA.

i'm hoping that you guys do mean index futures like ES, NQ, ER2, etc.

in general how much do you need to cover trades like that for each contract?

does the amount change if its a margin account? not sure what the margin part of and IB accoutn does for you if you need to have the trade covered with enough cash in your account.

thanks for all of the informative replies. ive read alot and you are giving me specific answers that really help!
 
i can tell you work for IB.

anyway, IRA margin accounts are not spelled out clearly adn that is why so many ask questions about it.

i got an idea. why dont you go document it better instead and have it corrected for english first of course before telling someone they need to learn more before they trade.

did you ever think that i'm asking the question for that purpose?

or do you think i know everything about it and am trading it already and now i ask the questions?

lol
 
What can I Invest in?
Stocks, covered call writing (covered shares are restricted), buying calls (funds equal to the aggregate exercise value of the long calls are restricted), and buying puts (shares subject to exercise are restricted), selling cash secured puts, spreads securities with European style expiration, futures contracts, and futures options. The IB IRA is structured as a Stock Cash Account (if you choose to trade only stocks) or as a Stock Options Level I Account (if you choose to trade options in your IRA). IRAs may also invest in US dollar denominated futures contracts, and future option contracts.

Seems pretty clear to me.
http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/general/education/faqs/ira.php?ib_entity=llc#38
 
Quote from ids:

Margin requirements are here: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/trading/marginRequirements/margin_amer.php?ib_entity=llc
These requirements do not depend from type of an account. It is actually minimums required by exchanges. Pardon me but I must tell you that you need to learn more (papertrading?) before you start to trade for real.

IDS,

I have traded ES and NQ futures in an IRA before on IB, and have also bought equity options and sold cash-secured puts.

I am right that one may sell ES and NQ options in an IRA with only the CME/Globex margin requirement?

Thanks.
 
I think ids was just trying to help out. If possible, I try to appreciate when any brokerage firm's representative uses his/her time to help out. :)
 
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