Flagged as "Pattern Day Trader" when trading Z8?

Posted By: savvy

Flagged as "Pattern Day Trader" when trading Z8? - 10/06/16 21:12

Hi. After trading Z8 via the IB API I discovered some mismatches between the unit size for some ETFs calculated by Z8 and those in my IB Reg T Account. Of 13 different ETFs only 4 had the same unit size. Some ETFs were bought but different in unit size, e.g. IVV Z8:9, IB:6; XLV Z8:16, IB:37; XLY Z8:9, IB:3 and 6 ETFs were not bought at all, i.e. unit size was 0. There were also some mismatches the last time I traded Z8 but I blamed myself for not decreasing the maximum capital size after I encountered some losses in the previous month. I guess I also should have subtracted the required margin from the capital. At least that is what I understood from IB's error messages. To make sure it doesn't happen again this time I decreased my maximum capital to 50%. The error message I got this time flags me as "Pattern Day Trader" which means it is prohibited to initiate any new position for the next 90 days. Alternatively bringing the account's equity up to the SEC required minimum of $25,000. I am a bit lost at this point because I don't know what went wrong. Thanks.
Posted By: jcl

Re: Flagged as "Pattern Day Trader" when trading Z8? - 10/07/16 07:49

As to my knowledge, you're flagged a day trader when you open and close more than 4 trades per week. This is not the case with Z8, but maybe IB detects day trading in a different way. Check with their support where and how you violated the day trading restriction.
Posted By: mhdus

Re: Flagged as "Pattern Day Trader" when trading Z8? - 10/07/16 12:28

PDT rules are explained here: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=4745&p=daytrade I assume you had Zorro update your assets at least twice per day as you observed the mismatches you described above? If you did this for more than 4 assets you were hit by the rule... You can contact IB support and have the PDT removed once if you explain it was a mistake. Usually they send you a note about that, see your messages in the IB Account Mgmt portal.
Posted By: savvy

Re: Flagged as "Pattern Day Trader" when trading Z8? - 10/08/16 08:02

Thank you jcl and mhdus. Actually I had Zorro update my assets twice because I wanted to decrease the investment capital. But I confirmed the new asset list on the message window only once. Since the last update 5 weeks have already passed. The mismatches are still there. When I contacted IB's support I will report on their feedback. Thanks again.
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