Quote from AlphaGeneration:
Here's the problem:
Assume you have $1 in your account. Your broker won't stop you from making any trades (i.e. if you decided to buy a stock worth $5 (assume no commission). This puts your account at $-4, which your broker won't stop you from doing.
Assume stock goes up to $6 that day. You then sell and make $1 profit. This is why it's a free ride and is not legal. You could technically use money you don't have to buy stock and make a profit.
What if I don't borrow or cannot borrow any money because I am trading in my 401K account. I am using my own money and any time that I trade, I literally have money for that trade.
If the sell money settles after 3 days, they should take money for my buys after 3 days too. That will solve everything.!!
