Halifax Trader Work Station - RealTime Monitoring

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Unlike other platforms that calculate margin only at the end of the trading day, Halifax TWS provides real-time data that gives you the edge you need to react quickly to the markets. The Margin Requirements section of the Account window allows you to understand your trading risk at any moment of the day by calculating requirements for initial margin (at the time of the trade) and maintenance margin (when holding positions) on a real time basis.

For more information regarding any of the real-time monitoring features mentioned here, see the TWS Users Guide.

The TWS Account Window

The Account window in Trader Workstation lets you monitor every aspect of your account activity, including the values used in the margin calculations. We present key account values as the default when you first open the Account window, and you can expand each section of the Account window to display all values. The Account window displays real-time values, including those listed below.

Balances

For more information on any of the real-time monitoring features mentioned here, as well as a table containing definitions of all values, see the TWS Users Guide.

Margin Requirements

For more information on any of the real-time monitoring features mentioned here, as well as a table containing definitions of all values, see the TWS Users Guide.

Available for Trading

For more information on any of the real-time monitoring features mentioned here, as well as a table containing definitions of all values, see the TWS Users Guide.

Margin What-Ifs

Margin scenarios provide the margin implications of any transaction before transmitting an order. From the trading window, right click any order row and select Preview Order/Check Margin. Commission for the trade is also displayed.

Soft Edge Margining

Halifax TWS will automatically liquidate when the account falls below the minimum maintenance margin requirement. To help avoid this scenario, TWS provides pop-up warning messages and color-coded account information as a notification that you are approaching a margin deficiency. This allows you to take action such as entering margin-reducing trades instead of risking liquidations. Read more about Soft Edge Margining.

To help customers monitor margin deficiencies, TWS includes a Soft Edge margining utility, which displays color-coded messages on the Account Screen and pop-up warning messages to notify customers that they are approaching their margin limits. This feature allows you to take action, such as entering margin-reducing trades, to avoid having your positions liquidated. Soft Edge margining colors on the Account screen convey the following information at a glance:

Yellow - You have only a 5% cushion above the margin requirement.

Orange - Your margin cushion is depleted and you have a short time to enter into margin-reducing trades before the platform begins to liquidate your positions. During this time you should be able to enter a trade that will decrease your margin requirement, but not increase.

Red - The platform will shortly start to liquidate positions as necessary to bring your account back within the margin limits.