Quote from mschey:
You offer more leverage? With all due respect, I would be very skeptical about that. I have been with several firms over the years, and Bright is the only one that really allows a trader the BP they need when they need it.
This capital charge really shouldn't be an issue. You have lots of options. Just requires one to be more creative in their approach to the market.
As I've said, one can construct the portfolio to take advantage of the reduced capital charges by making some sector plays on stocks that traditionally move in opposite directions.
Or, If one wants to get long, they can get long the Higher beta stocks, short the Spy and theoretically get long as much as they want to. Or do just the opposite if you have a short bias.
If you want to play the EOY trades, then you just use SPY to offset positions, get the reduced capital charges, and make the difference in spread.
Also....don't forget getting paid for short stock. You do get paid 4% or so.
In the end, you have lots of options and that 1% per month is not a deal breaker IMO. Be sure to consider all of your options before making a decision.