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With a new person in charge of the SEC, let's take this opportunity to make our voices heard. Tell Mary Shapiro how you feel about this UNCONSTITUTIONAL rule and how much it holds back the smaller investor/trader. If we pound the emails, phones and letters we might just get a little attention on this ridiculous rule. Even if you don't fall under this rule, please take the time to help out your fellow traders by sending an email.
Thanks
Please keep your emails precise, to the point, and professional.
Emails - Address to Mary Shapiro
chairmanoffice@sec.gov
tradingandmarkets@sec.gov
Pattern Day Trading Rule - SEC & FINRA NASD Rule 2520
Pattern day trader rule history:
On February 27, 2001, the SEC approved rule changes proposed by the NYSE and FINRA (NASD) aimed at imposing more stringent margin requirements for day trading customers. Under these rules, customers who are deemed "pattern day traders" must have at least $25,000 in their accounts and can only trade in margin accounts.
This site is intended to clarify this rule and offer suggestions about trading in relation to this rule.
Basic pattern day trader rule summary:
An NASD & SEC rule that applies to anyone who buys and sells a particular security in the same trading day (day trades), and does this four or more times in any five consecutive business day period. A pattern day trader is subject to special rules. The main rule is that in order to engage in pattern day trading you must maintain an equity balance of at least $25,000 in a margin account.
A more complete version is listed here: NASD Rule 2520
What is a day trade?:
It is important to understand what is considered a day trade under this rule. A day trade is when you buy and sell the same stock (same symbol) during the same day. This includes if you buy and sell during the pre-market, regular market hours, or in the after-market hours on the same day. A day trade is just a buy and sell (or short sell and buy to cover) of the same stock in one trading day.
What is not a day trade?:
If you open a stock position one day and hold it overnight and cover it the next day (or any subsequent day), that is an overnight trade. A trade held overnight is not considered a day trade in relation to this rule. There is no limits imposed on overnight trading, you can do this as often as you want.
Scope of the pattern day trader rule:
The pattern day trader rule applies to all brokers in the United States who are NASD members. There may be foreign brokers who are not directly regulated by NASD and offer pattern day trading to clients with less than $25,000 in their account.
This rule only applies to stock and option trading. There is no pattern day trading rule regulations currently on futures or forex.
