Interactive Brokers: When to switch to Margin Portfolio account?

[helpme]

What are the pros and cons of Margin Portfolio vs Reg T for IBKR customers who wish to apply leverage conservatively?

When does it make sense to switch from Reg T to Margin Portfolio? For those investors who invest more in non-US stocks than US stocks, does it make sense to move to Margin Portfolio account?

 

[jackrab]

What are the pros and cons of Margin Portfolio vs Reg T for IBKR customers who wish to apply leverage conservatively?

When does it make sense to switch from Reg T to Margin Portfolio? For those investors who invest more in non-US stocks than US stocks, does it make sense to move to Margin Portfolio account?

The question should be... why wouldn't you switch to Portfolio Margin Account? Doesn't cost anything and you get the benefit of better margin rulings if you need it.

That said, are you eligible? If you are trading as an Individual... and you are in Australia.... you are not eligible....

 

[PinguPingu]

Can anyone confirm if you need be a Pty Ltd to access margin with IB, or can you just do it as a sole trader with an ABN, trading as yourself?

 

[bellenuit]

Can anyone confirm if you need be a Pty Ltd to access margin with IB, or can you just do it as a sole trader with an ABN, trading as yourself?

No, no margin if you are an individual (ABN or no ABN). Need to be a company or a trust (I think there may be one other structure that allows margin).