I just got off the phone with Fidelity. I called to revoke the privilege of margin on our regular brokerage account in light of the MF Global mess and other risks hard wired into the financial system.
Now I cannot outright short stocks anymore and will have to settle for those inefficient, screwed up short funds that I use in my IRA. I have never been a great bear anyway and have made my money by trading in and/or raising cash at appropriate times. Also, maybe I'll use options from time to time for quick trades when risk vs. reward gives a green light (like @ the recent gold miner bottom via GDX calls).
Not being a facts and figures guy, I am not at all sure that margin funds were in any danger at Fidelity, but the way I operate if something even looks at me the wrong way is, I fix it or get rid of it. One more thing checked off the 'to do' list, leaving the mind free to speculate as needed in these exciting times.
http://www.biiwii.blogspot.com
http://www.biiwii.com
Now I cannot outright short stocks anymore and will have to settle for those inefficient, screwed up short funds that I use in my IRA. I have never been a great bear anyway and have made my money by trading in and/or raising cash at appropriate times. Also, maybe I'll use options from time to time for quick trades when risk vs. reward gives a green light (like @ the recent gold miner bottom via GDX calls).
Not being a facts and figures guy, I am not at all sure that margin funds were in any danger at Fidelity, but the way I operate if something even looks at me the wrong way is, I fix it or get rid of it. One more thing checked off the 'to do' list, leaving the mind free to speculate as needed in these exciting times.
http://www.biiwii.blogspot.com
http://www.biiwii.com
You should have had them revoke your right to buy gold and silver related equities!!! All they do is go down, lolol. J/K Gary.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I never thought of that Anon. :-)
ReplyDeleteGold & silver stocks need to be managed. Never just set & forget per lazy guru instructions.