The Option Alpha Podcast

Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show54If you’re an experienced options trader, then today’s show is for you because this week we’ll be talking about portfolio margin and how it could help enhance your returns. Yes, portfolio margin isn’t for everyone (you’ve got to have at least $125k in equity to qualify and three years of experience trading options), but the ability to upgrade your margin account to this portfolio risk model is incredibly powerful.With portfolio margin, your broker is assessing each new option trade risk on the overall portfolio impact vs. an individual basis that happens in traditional margin accounts. They are asking the question, "How much risk does this new trade add to the overall portfolio?" More often than not, it means less margin required for new trades when you’ve already got offsetting positions.So, how does portfolio margin help? Well, when you have to put up less cash in margin to hold a position that takes in the same premium, it means you can generate a higher re