Quote from saxon22:
Speaks volumes about the clientele that they have. There is nothing like seasonal traders who need this kind of "protection".
That's not true at all.
I've been trading for a number of years full-time now and I am with OEC. I do not WANT high margins B/C I DO NOT NEED THEM.
What's the point of having cash sitting there earning nothing?
So, I would argue that seasoned traders are the ones that benefit the MOST from low margins b/c they do not NEED that cushion...
Quote from stock777:
I heard they needed extra cartons of Malloxx for the mgmt team over there Monday night.
$500?
Even a boiler room has more respect for $ than that.
Again, $500 margins are fine when used properly. Yes, some will abuse those margins and OEC has taken the stance to adjust them TEMPORARILY.
High margins does not equate with a better firm.
There was a good thread here on ET at one point talking about how much 'margin' is needed in a futures account for an experienced trader when it's earning nothing sitting there.
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Allow me to elaborate:
With $500 margins, I can have what I need in the accounts I trade and that's it. I do not have excess cash sitting there doing nothing.
Since the money earns ZERO just sitting there, I do not NEED or WANT that extra 'cushion'.
Now, the overleveraged accounts trading 2 contracts on a $1000 account SHOULD be restricted to higher margins.
So, it's quite the contrary to the above posts - low margins are VERY attractive for an experienced trader that does not want money tied up into an account that is not necessary to be there.
Having money sitting there earning zero is just plain stupid if you do not NEED it there. If you cannot extract regular profits from the markets, then you will need the extra cushions to cover your losses. I'd much rather take that excess cash and at least earn something at the bank, tax free bond, etc.