[IB beginner] questions

[jk90029]

Dear-

After opening webpage of IB, we see the menu, Balance+MarketValue+position+Portfolio.

1) Under "Balance", what are the meanings of Reg T EWL and SMA? Appreciated if someone show me link explaining in detail.

2) What is difference between "Position" and "Portfolio"? If any, please make some example with different display between the two.

Thanks in advance.

-Jay

 

[nonlinear5]

Dear-

After opening webpage of IB, we see the menu, Balance+MarketValue+position+Portfolio.

1) Under "Balance", what are the meanings of Reg T EWL and SMA? Appreciated if someone show me link explaining in detail.

2) What is difference between "Position" and "Portfolio"? If any, please make some example with different display between the two.

Thanks in advance.

-Jay

"Reg T EWL" = Regulation T Equity with Loan Value. Depending on your account size, you have certain rules to follow. The greater the account size, the less restrictive the rules are. These rules are put there by regulators to presumably protect yourself from blowing your account.

"SMA" = Special Memorandum account. This is related to the Regulation T and is used to calculate how much buying power you have (i.e, how much you can buy on margin).

"Position" is your position in a specified security. For example, if you buy 100 shares of Apple, your position is 100, and position value is 100 times the price of Apple stock.

"Portfolio" is the combined value of all positions.

https://www.interactivebrokers.com/...ebook/realtimeactivitymonitoring/balances.htm

You should study the TWS user guide in full:
https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/software/tws/twsguide_Left.htm