Yeah, I won't be turning my 10.7mil shares until we are solidly out of the 1's, alot of rumors out their on the spoke about something big in the works that the co. is holding back. They sure have a large following over there.
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Geezzz, I have the hardest time keeping up around here.
It took me weeks to figure out what the shrub was. Now I check it out all the time.
So, what the heck is the spoke?
See, I'm getting braver with you guys.....I'm not nearly so worried about asking questions now...LOL
There isn't any minimum that I know of... but since margin is credit (a loan if you use it), they may run a credit check on you, and also may see how long you have been trading or like to see an account bigger than 1K or something along those lines.
I never actually use the margin, just have it so I don't have settlement restrictions and also so I can trade options.
Basically, all it means is that you get to borrow money to buy more stock, and when you own a stock, whether you borrow or not, that stock is like collateral (the amount you can borrow if you actually were crazy enough to do so is based on how much of the stock you have, and other factors - ie. if you own AAPL stock, then you'll get the max allowed borrowing power, for cheaper stocks, it'll be less, and for risky stuff, maybe no allowance at all).
If you were actually invested in more than what your cash balance was (which is what being on margin is - ie. having the loan is), and things got really hairy, as in you were really down, they will give you a margin call, and ask for you to cough up some money, or sell some of your stock to bring you closer to what your cash balance is.
On your account screen, it will always tell you what your cash balance is and what your "buying power" is - which is the margin (loanable amount based on the stocks you have) + cash balance. So, as long as you trade within the cash balance amount, you're good. Always leave enough in your cash balance to account for commissions and you'll be fine. If you over shoot it a little, say $100, you're talking minor interest on it if you turn around and sell a little of something to get it back. For scottrade, as long as its the same day, I think there is no charge.
I've only been on margin once using another broker, where they made me pay the interest when I went slightly over for the day... scottrade doesn't charge if you mess up and fix it the same day (if I remember right), as I've only done it once with them.
LOL, the SEC finally made brokers announce that retail needs to watch themselves with inverse/leveraged funds.
Man, I need to get back to work.
Thanks for the info Bill.