Do I have to use margin for stocks?

Question

I plan to open an account with about 4k, but I really would rather not use margin if I can. Do I have use margin to trade?

I plan to buy and short, and I will be using the online brokerage, Thinkorswim.

Answer 1

A nobody nailed for you, this is the correct response, sounds like they're  professional

Answer 2

No. You do not have to use for straight stock purchases.

Can you, yes.  If you don't hold overnight, you will not be charged interest.  If you do, the carry charge is moderate - most are running around 7% per annum.

Answer 3

u can try this in the demo account .

and u can trade oil ,gold, NASDAQ 100, DJ 30 , and many more .Forex trading .

http://www.avafx.com/?tag=7777

Answer 4

yes but in order to buy you must sell or invest more and pay the bill

Answer 5

EZ Traders is correct: You must use margin if you want to short. You can use cash for your longs, but shorting can only be done in a margin account.

Answer 6

You must use margin if you want to short.  You can use cash for your longs, but shorting can only be done in a margin account.

Answer 7

You won't get far with £4000. Use margin, but don't go overboard, say 25% margin. Here's a tip; Don't "bet" on what you think will happen, "bet" on what you certainly think won't happen.

Answer 8

Most brokerage firms will require you to use a margin account if you are gong to be doing any short selling.

Although the rules covering margins do not address short selling nor have any requirements dealing with short selling since shorting is not involved in the extension of credit

You can have a margin but you don't have to use it and your better off not using it.  As long as you don't run up a debit balance, you won't have any charges posted to the account, therefore it won't cost you anything.

The margin account, although not related to short selling will let the broker facilitate the computation of equity and the mark to markets needed for carrying short positions.

If you're going to play the game, just complete the margin agreement and play by the rules

To EZ Trader & Asim, shorts executions are posted to the short account and not the margin account. There are no rules or regulations that require a margin account if you are going to short, the short account is for the brokerage firm's convience and is not mandated by law but is required by B/Ds