bike.eagle

Yep. Like I posted above, I get 1.25 per contract with no per trade fee. I had to negotiate that though. It definitely sounds like the IB guys get a better deal though. How do you IB folks like the trading platform there?

I just called them and got more info about commissions. They said that the total cost varies depending on which exchange the order is routed through and whether it adds or reduces liquidity. I'm not sure how you could determine liquidity +/- upfront, but it matters. As an example, an order routed through BATS that removes liquidity would cost the IB 0.70 PLUS the BATS fee of 0.80 for a total of 1.50. If the order adds liquidity, it would be free, so a big difference. Maybe some of the current IB users could chime in?

Interesting. Once you have portfolio margin, you never want to go back! I just might have to go check out the IB website. Do you guys get a per-contract commission rate without any per-trade charge? I currently get $1.25 per contract with no per-trade cost from TOS.

Does IB offer portfolio margin?

Any new thoughts on this strategy?