What moves my account after selling options?

[tommcginnis]

So in the space of two weeks the margin requirement grew to $ 9422 which is $ 1849 more or 24.4% more

As it happens I am on the other side of this trade - so I am not bothered. But if you were maxed out on your margin you will readily see the problem, thousands of dollars fluctuations are possible without the underlying making moves of more than 4%. If you have several short positions you are sure to blow out your account at one time or another.

When long in options, you have to insure that position theta< position delta -- that time decay does not supercede "beneficial" or *desired* market approach.

 

[TrustyJules]

Certainly true - just not what the OP was asking. He was wondering why his margin fluctuated

 

[tommcginnis]

Certainly true - just not what the OP was asking. He was wondering why his margin fluctuated

Margin is a function of liquidity and [net] risk exposure -- as position greeks change, margin will change.