Platform Features Release: Compare and AI capability added, Tradier Streaming
Join us Wednesday, October 25th for a special Office Hours session for an in-depth review session of the newest enhancements to your platform.
Announcing the latest Release of feature and functionality enhancements to the trading platform with the goal of improving the investment/trading decision process.
Research Tab/Dashboard:
Compare Tab: Provides an at-a-glance comparison of competitors of the same industry group with the ability to change symbols and Swing, Position, or Investor views (also “All” and “Default”)
AI Analysis – AI generated competitive analysis for Large-cap stocks in the same industry group.
Compare Tab
The Compare feature, found under the Research Tab, allows investors to review a particular stock against its industry peers. Different Views offer Investors perspectives with different investment strategies, such as value or growth investing, to identify stocks that align with their preferred strategies within a specific industry.
Some of the Compare benefits include:
- Relative Valuation: Ratios like price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), or price-to-book (P/B) can be assessed whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued relative to its peers.
- Identifying Outliers: If a company has significantly different ratios compared to its peers, it may warrant further investigation to reveal potential investment opportunities or risks.
- Industry Trends: Analyzing ratios across an industry can reveal trends and patterns. For example, if the majority of companies in an industry experience a declining profit margin, it may indicate a broader industry challenge or trend.
- Risk Assessment: Comparing key ratios can help assess the financial health and risk profile in an industry context. Companies with lower debt-to-equity ratios, for instance, may be considered less risky, especially if this trend holds across the industry.
- Operational Efficiency: Comparing Ratios like return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA) among industry peers can provide insights into a company’s operational efficiency.
NOTE:
While comparing key ratios within an industry offers valuable insights, it’s VITAL to consider other factors , such as the company’s business model, competitive advantages, management quality, macroeconomic conditions, etc. Ratios should be only part of a broader analysis to make well-informed investment decisions.
The fields automatically populate with industry peers. They can be changed to compare other symbols of your choice.
AI Analysis
Located within the Activity Tab in Research, Stock AI analysis has the potential to enhance and streamline the process of evaluating and trading stocks in the financial markets.
Stock AI analysis can quickly process and analyze vast amounts of financial data, news, and market sentiment in real-time. This enables investors and traders to make more informed decisions based on a comprehensive view of the market.
Click on the AI Analysis Tab for the current symbol you are viewing. A progress bar will appear while the information loads for the initial session view only. The information will remain even if you log out and back in again during the same Market Day.
It’s important to note:
While Stock AI analysis offers these benefits, it also comes with challenges and risks, such as overreliance on algorithms, potential biases in data, and the need for continuous monitoring and oversight. Investors and traders should use AI analysis as a tool to complement their decision-making process rather than relying solely on it.
Streaming Quotes with Tradier
Your Tradier Account offers Real-Time Streaming Quotes!
Simply log in to your Tradier account from the platform, and you’ll see the Real-Time quote updates without having to change screens or refresh your browser!
Change Log
- At-the-Money Strike price bolded on Templates
- Long Butterfly template error corrected
- Resolved slider bar/template editing functioning
- Event flag display function preserved
- Slider bar function corrected on template page
Adding an Account
Accessing a live account is easy. Currently Choice Trade, Tradier, Schwab, E*TRADE are offered through this platform. More brokerages will be added.
To add an Existing Brokerage Account or add a Virtual or Manual Account:
1. Clicking on the “+” icon will display the screen below
2. Select your Brokerage, Virtual or Manual Account from the drop-down
3. Read & Accept Terms and Conditions
4. Click “Continue”
Live Accounts will prompt you to enter your credentials on the next screen.
Virtual** and Manual Accounts will automatically activate.
To add a New Live Account, click on the “Open New Account” box on upper right of the above screen.
Select the account you want to add by clicking the selected brokerage.
Click the “Done” button.
You’ll be directed to the brokerage website to guide you through the process of completing an application.
**TradeStation requires a completed account application to create a Virtual Account.
Manual Account Overview
A Manual Account is versatile resource tool which can enhance your trading effectiveness. You can also use this to track trades from an outside brokerage account.
Use the Manual Account for educational purposes.
- It offers flexibility and control, while providing the Analytics and Journal to help you reinforce the “Learning to Earning” process. This allows you to focus on learning the strategies.
- Place trades any time of day or night – all get immediately executed at the price entered. No need for the market to be open.
- No Buying Power limits – no expensive spread margin requirements to adhere to, no limit on how much you can buy/sell
- Place trades in the past.
- Enter trades from Backtest Mode
Use to tracking external accounts
- Can be used to track trades placed at brokers not integrated into the platform
- You can enter the date and fill prices of your actual trades
- This enables portfolio management along with your other accounts
- You can use full Journal function for tracking your progress
Manual Accounts are identified by a narrow Red Bar and are, by default, Auto-Journaled.
Entering trades in a Manual Account takes only a few steps and is similar to a regular trade.
You can also bring up the ticket from any trade point. Simply start a trade and select the manual account just like you would select any other account.
(Bold indicates unique to Manual ticket):
1. Enter the Stock Symbol, or name of Company (Smart search will display potential matches)
2. If this is a past trade, use the calendar/date picker to select date
3. Click “Stock”, “Call” or “Put” to build trade, change quantity, Expiry and Strike (if applicable)
4. Bid/Ask will automatically populate if a specific price is not entered
5. Complete Order Type, Duration and Condition
6. Click “Review” to confirm information is correct, then ‘Submit” on next screen.
The order will appear in Order Status as “Executed” and operate the same way as other accounts.
Virtual Account Overview
Virtual Trading gives you the real trading experience without risking any money. It is a valuable “next step” learning tool – designed to mimic the trading experience as closely as possible.
You’ll start with a $100,000 account. Virtual, of course.
Trades are executed during Market hours – 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time, however there is a 15 minute delay after Market open for orders to begin executing.
As with Live Accounts, there are limits on trades if there is not sufficient Buying Power in your Virtual Account. There can be expensive Spread/Margin Requirements to adhere to.
Virtual Accounts do have limitations that Live Accounts do not have:
Virtual Accounts are not subject or responsive to Corporate actions such as buyouts, name or symbol changes, stock/option splits and strike price adjustments to name some examples.
Virtual Accounts are “Auto-Journaled”. This automatically keeps record of all trades for later analysis and reconciling.
These practice accounts are identified by a yellow bar on the left side of the account window.
Virtual Accounts are powered by Choice Trade to provide the real trading experience.
Access Trading Account Information
No need to login to Brokerage Account site for normal day-to-day activity.
Each account includes a Summary page showing the Account Balance, Margin Balance, Stock, Option & Day Trading Buying Power and tracks the current trading day’s activity.
Besides the Order Ticket, the Order Status, Current Positions & Transaction History are all available. You can view previous order history in the Order Status tab by clicking on the drop-down menu on the upper-right corner of that screen.
You can access any account and switch accounts with a single click. You can even change the account from the order ticket.
The newest feature, Journal provides the means of organizing, noting, analyzing & reconciling trades.
Delete Journal Entries
Whether you entered a trade incorrectly, or want to remove Cancelled Orders from your Virtual or Manual Account, you have the ability to delete a Journal Entry.
Simply expand the Trade tab and click on the icon.
If you are deleting Cancelled or Expired orders, you’ll be prompted to confirm you want to delete the entry.
For trades that have a specific Open and/or a specific Close, you’ll be prompted to choose either Selected Trade or Selected and Related Trade, if applicable.
Prior to deleting your selection, you’ll be prompted to confirm the action. Once deleted, the trade cannot be restored.
Note: Deleting a Journal entry for a Manual Account will remove the trade completely from both the Journal and Manual Account.
Deleting a Journal entry for Real or Virtual Accounts only remove the Journal entry, and the trade will remain in the account.
Virtual Account Buying Power Calculations
Virtual Account Buying Power Calculation
This is an example of how Buying Power is calculated. Check with your broker for specifics on your real accounts.
Margin
All margin accounts are subject to a $2,000 minimum equity requirement. ChoiceTrade requires $25,000 in account equity for naked put writing and $100,000 for naked call writing. Please click here to read our Risk Disclosure for important information regarding daytrading rules. Please see the terms of ChoiceTrade's Margin and Options agreements.POSITION | INITIAL MARGIN | MAINTENANCE MARGIN |
Long Stock | 1. 50% of the purchase price of marginable securities 2. 100% of the purchase price of non-marginable securities $2000 minimum margin account equity for all margin transactions $500 minimum cash balance required for Bulletin Board and OTC Market Stocks |
1. 25% of the current market value of the long securities positions in marginable securities. 2. 100% of the current market value of the long securities positions in non-marginable securities; See Special Notes below |
---|---|---|
Short Stock | The greater of: 1. 50% of the sale price of marginable securities; or 2. $5.00 per share $2000 minimum margin account equity for all margin transactions |
1. For marginable securities priced $2.50/share and under: $2.50/share 2. For marginable securities priced $2.51 to $5.00 per share: 100%. 3. For marginable securities priced $5.01 and above: greater of 50% or $5.00 per share. See Special Notes below |
Long Calls or Puts | 100% of the cost of the options. | 100% of the current market value of options. |
Short Uncovered Calls | The greater of: 1. 100% of the option proceeds plus 20% of the underlying stock less any amount the option is out-of-the-money; or 2. 100% of the option proceeds plus 10% of the underlying stock $100,000 minimum margin account equity |
The greater of: 1. The current marked-to-market value of the option plus 20% of the underlying stock less any amount the option is out-of-the-money; or 2. The current marked-to-market value of the option plus 10% of the underlying stock |
Short Puts | The greater of: 1. 100% of the option proceeds plus 20% of the underlying stock less any amount the option is out-of-the-money; or 2. 100% of the option proceeds plus 10% of the strike price. $100,000 minimum margin account equity |
The greater of: 1. The current marked-to-market value of the option plus 20% of the underlying stock less any amount the option is out-of-the-money; or 2. The current marked-to-market value of the option plus 10% of the strike price |
Short Covered Calls | None required on short call. | None required on short call. |
Debit Spread | 100% of the net debit | 100% of the current market value of the position. |
Credit Spread Market Orders |
Value of the difference between the strike prices $2,000 minimum margin account equity |
The lesser of: 1. Value of the difference between the strike prices of the vertical or; 2. The maintenance margin requirement of the short call or put |
Credit Spread Limit Orders |
Value of the difference between the strike prices less the credit to be received $2,000 minimum margin account equity |
The lesser of: 1. Value of the difference between the strike prices of the vertical or; 2. The maintenance margin requirement of the short call or put |
Long Butterflies/ Condors | 100% of cost of butterfly or condor. | 100% of current market value of butterfly or condor. |
Short Butterflies/ Condors | Initial margin requirement of the short vertical of the butterfly or condor. | Maintenance margin requirement of the short vertical of the butterfly or condor. |
Long Straddles/ Strangles | 100% of the cost of the straddle or strangle. | 100% of the current market value of the straddle or strangle. |
Short Straddles/ Strangles | The initial margin requirement for the short put or short call, whichever is greater, plus the premium of the other option; $100,000 minimum margin account equity |
The maintenance margin requirement for the short put or short call, whichever is greater, plus the premium of the other option; |
Long Call or Put Calendar Spreads |
100% of the cost of the calendar spread. | 100% of the current market value of the calendar spread. |
Short Call or Put Calendar Spreads |
Initial margin requirement of short call or put; $2,000 minimum margin account equity |
Maintenance margin requirement of short call or put; |
Special Notes Volatile Stock Requirement: Some stocks deemed to be volatile may be held at a higher requirement. New Issues: Generally, newly issued stocks have a 100% initial and maintenance requirement for the first 30 days of trading Leveraged ETFs: Minimim cash requirement for long positions: 2X ETF (200% Leveraged) = 50% 3X ETF (300% Leveraged) = 100% Minimim cash requirement for short positions: 2X ETF (200% Leveraged) = 60% 3X ETF (300% Leveraged) = 100% |