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What do “unsettled funds” mean?
How is money actually made from the buying or selling of options?I have $20k of imaginary gains from trading last year due to wash sale rules. Should/can I take mark to market?Interactive Brokers Margin AccountsAre wash sale rules different for stocks and ETFs / Mutual Funds?Option Trading / Demo AccountDoes the pattern day trader rule apply to non-US citizens?U.S. wash sale rules involving sells using specified lotsHow to understand wash sale loss and disallowed lossDoes RBC Direct Investing allow to buy BMO ETF funds?What do I need to do, tax-wise, for a sudden windfall?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I sold my ETFs today in a non-margin account in an online trading platform.
99.99% of my account currently consists of unsettled funds. What does it mean that they are "unsettled funds"? Does it mean that the trading platform hasn't sold them yet?
- If the trading platform hasn't sold them yet, can my P/L change from what is displayed presently, once the actual sale occurs?
- If the trading platform has sold them already, why doesn't it allow me to buy a different security today from the cash from the sale?
united-states investing selling online-brokerage profitability
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
add a comment |
I sold my ETFs today in a non-margin account in an online trading platform.
99.99% of my account currently consists of unsettled funds. What does it mean that they are "unsettled funds"? Does it mean that the trading platform hasn't sold them yet?
- If the trading platform hasn't sold them yet, can my P/L change from what is displayed presently, once the actual sale occurs?
- If the trading platform has sold them already, why doesn't it allow me to buy a different security today from the cash from the sale?
united-states investing selling online-brokerage profitability
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
add a comment |
I sold my ETFs today in a non-margin account in an online trading platform.
99.99% of my account currently consists of unsettled funds. What does it mean that they are "unsettled funds"? Does it mean that the trading platform hasn't sold them yet?
- If the trading platform hasn't sold them yet, can my P/L change from what is displayed presently, once the actual sale occurs?
- If the trading platform has sold them already, why doesn't it allow me to buy a different security today from the cash from the sale?
united-states investing selling online-brokerage profitability
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
I sold my ETFs today in a non-margin account in an online trading platform.
99.99% of my account currently consists of unsettled funds. What does it mean that they are "unsettled funds"? Does it mean that the trading platform hasn't sold them yet?
- If the trading platform hasn't sold them yet, can my P/L change from what is displayed presently, once the actual sale occurs?
- If the trading platform has sold them already, why doesn't it allow me to buy a different security today from the cash from the sale?
united-states investing selling online-brokerage profitability
united-states investing selling online-brokerage profitability
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
edited 8 hours ago
Zesty
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
ZestyZesty
26411 bronze badges
26411 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
The term "unsettled funds" is a legal term, defined by legislation and judicial decisions and enforced/monitored by the SEC. The intuition is the idea that while a financial transaction on a security may be processed at one point in time, the "settlement" of the cash takes time and could end up reversed or delayed (such as for rule violations, investigation, etc.). As such, if you trade with that money then the legal argument is that you were actually making trades with purchases you didn't really have the cash for with 100% certainty, and thus you were effectively engaging in a risky activity using extended credit. In a cash account, as distinct from a margin account, this can be a rule violation according to the SEC, because the whole definition of a cash account is you can only buy things you have the cash for with no credit involvement and no risk of making a trade you don't have the money to fully cover.
Depending on the nature of the security you sold, the legal amount of time it takes to settle is generally 1-3 days, but you should look for your trading platform's "Unsettled Funds Rule" policy to see. As an example, Ally gives this explanation for stocks and options, and Trading Direct gives a "Cash Account Trading: Unsettled Funds Rule Summary" here. Fidelity gives more detail on ETF settlement periods, including the different classes ETF-like securities, here (2 days settlement for ETF, less for other security types.
99%+ of the time, unsettled funds are your money, and having funds as unsettled does not mean that the transaction of selling/buying did not occur and is not closed - it just means the funds have not been allowed time to "settle". Think if it like the time it takes a check to clear, basically.
Buying/selling with unsettled funds in a cash account can be an SEC rule violation (the particulars being apparently somewhat complicated), so you just have to wait the 1-3 days for the funds to become defined as settled before you can make additional transactions.
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
1
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
2
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
1
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
add a comment |
You sold your ETF shares so the transaction is complete. Poof! Your shares are gone.
Equities have a T+2 settlement date. Since it's a Cash Account, that means that the proceeds from your sale will be available for trading in two days.
In a margin account, your broker would allow you to buy other securities immediately.
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
1
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The term "unsettled funds" is a legal term, defined by legislation and judicial decisions and enforced/monitored by the SEC. The intuition is the idea that while a financial transaction on a security may be processed at one point in time, the "settlement" of the cash takes time and could end up reversed or delayed (such as for rule violations, investigation, etc.). As such, if you trade with that money then the legal argument is that you were actually making trades with purchases you didn't really have the cash for with 100% certainty, and thus you were effectively engaging in a risky activity using extended credit. In a cash account, as distinct from a margin account, this can be a rule violation according to the SEC, because the whole definition of a cash account is you can only buy things you have the cash for with no credit involvement and no risk of making a trade you don't have the money to fully cover.
Depending on the nature of the security you sold, the legal amount of time it takes to settle is generally 1-3 days, but you should look for your trading platform's "Unsettled Funds Rule" policy to see. As an example, Ally gives this explanation for stocks and options, and Trading Direct gives a "Cash Account Trading: Unsettled Funds Rule Summary" here. Fidelity gives more detail on ETF settlement periods, including the different classes ETF-like securities, here (2 days settlement for ETF, less for other security types.
99%+ of the time, unsettled funds are your money, and having funds as unsettled does not mean that the transaction of selling/buying did not occur and is not closed - it just means the funds have not been allowed time to "settle". Think if it like the time it takes a check to clear, basically.
Buying/selling with unsettled funds in a cash account can be an SEC rule violation (the particulars being apparently somewhat complicated), so you just have to wait the 1-3 days for the funds to become defined as settled before you can make additional transactions.
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
1
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
2
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
1
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
add a comment |
The term "unsettled funds" is a legal term, defined by legislation and judicial decisions and enforced/monitored by the SEC. The intuition is the idea that while a financial transaction on a security may be processed at one point in time, the "settlement" of the cash takes time and could end up reversed or delayed (such as for rule violations, investigation, etc.). As such, if you trade with that money then the legal argument is that you were actually making trades with purchases you didn't really have the cash for with 100% certainty, and thus you were effectively engaging in a risky activity using extended credit. In a cash account, as distinct from a margin account, this can be a rule violation according to the SEC, because the whole definition of a cash account is you can only buy things you have the cash for with no credit involvement and no risk of making a trade you don't have the money to fully cover.
Depending on the nature of the security you sold, the legal amount of time it takes to settle is generally 1-3 days, but you should look for your trading platform's "Unsettled Funds Rule" policy to see. As an example, Ally gives this explanation for stocks and options, and Trading Direct gives a "Cash Account Trading: Unsettled Funds Rule Summary" here. Fidelity gives more detail on ETF settlement periods, including the different classes ETF-like securities, here (2 days settlement for ETF, less for other security types.
99%+ of the time, unsettled funds are your money, and having funds as unsettled does not mean that the transaction of selling/buying did not occur and is not closed - it just means the funds have not been allowed time to "settle". Think if it like the time it takes a check to clear, basically.
Buying/selling with unsettled funds in a cash account can be an SEC rule violation (the particulars being apparently somewhat complicated), so you just have to wait the 1-3 days for the funds to become defined as settled before you can make additional transactions.
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
1
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
2
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
1
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
add a comment |
The term "unsettled funds" is a legal term, defined by legislation and judicial decisions and enforced/monitored by the SEC. The intuition is the idea that while a financial transaction on a security may be processed at one point in time, the "settlement" of the cash takes time and could end up reversed or delayed (such as for rule violations, investigation, etc.). As such, if you trade with that money then the legal argument is that you were actually making trades with purchases you didn't really have the cash for with 100% certainty, and thus you were effectively engaging in a risky activity using extended credit. In a cash account, as distinct from a margin account, this can be a rule violation according to the SEC, because the whole definition of a cash account is you can only buy things you have the cash for with no credit involvement and no risk of making a trade you don't have the money to fully cover.
Depending on the nature of the security you sold, the legal amount of time it takes to settle is generally 1-3 days, but you should look for your trading platform's "Unsettled Funds Rule" policy to see. As an example, Ally gives this explanation for stocks and options, and Trading Direct gives a "Cash Account Trading: Unsettled Funds Rule Summary" here. Fidelity gives more detail on ETF settlement periods, including the different classes ETF-like securities, here (2 days settlement for ETF, less for other security types.
99%+ of the time, unsettled funds are your money, and having funds as unsettled does not mean that the transaction of selling/buying did not occur and is not closed - it just means the funds have not been allowed time to "settle". Think if it like the time it takes a check to clear, basically.
Buying/selling with unsettled funds in a cash account can be an SEC rule violation (the particulars being apparently somewhat complicated), so you just have to wait the 1-3 days for the funds to become defined as settled before you can make additional transactions.
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
The term "unsettled funds" is a legal term, defined by legislation and judicial decisions and enforced/monitored by the SEC. The intuition is the idea that while a financial transaction on a security may be processed at one point in time, the "settlement" of the cash takes time and could end up reversed or delayed (such as for rule violations, investigation, etc.). As such, if you trade with that money then the legal argument is that you were actually making trades with purchases you didn't really have the cash for with 100% certainty, and thus you were effectively engaging in a risky activity using extended credit. In a cash account, as distinct from a margin account, this can be a rule violation according to the SEC, because the whole definition of a cash account is you can only buy things you have the cash for with no credit involvement and no risk of making a trade you don't have the money to fully cover.
Depending on the nature of the security you sold, the legal amount of time it takes to settle is generally 1-3 days, but you should look for your trading platform's "Unsettled Funds Rule" policy to see. As an example, Ally gives this explanation for stocks and options, and Trading Direct gives a "Cash Account Trading: Unsettled Funds Rule Summary" here. Fidelity gives more detail on ETF settlement periods, including the different classes ETF-like securities, here (2 days settlement for ETF, less for other security types.
99%+ of the time, unsettled funds are your money, and having funds as unsettled does not mean that the transaction of selling/buying did not occur and is not closed - it just means the funds have not been allowed time to "settle". Think if it like the time it takes a check to clear, basically.
Buying/selling with unsettled funds in a cash account can be an SEC rule violation (the particulars being apparently somewhat complicated), so you just have to wait the 1-3 days for the funds to become defined as settled before you can make additional transactions.
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
edited 8 hours ago
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
BrianHBrianH
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
9,8663 gold badges30 silver badges32 bronze badges
1
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
2
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
1
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
2
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
1
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
1
1
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
That makes sense for individual stocks and bonds, but how do open-ended funds work? I thought that when you sold fund shares that the underlying stock shares (or bonds) went back into the brokerage's "pool" to then be bought by someone else. (Otherwise, how can you sell fractional shares?)
– RonJohn
9 hours ago
2
2
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
Options and futures are T+1. Stocks and ETFs are T+2. Mutual funds bought at an outside broker are T+1. Mutual funds bought from the issuer are immediate (buying and selling a Fidelity fund from Fidelity).
– Bob Baerker
8 hours ago
1
1
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
@RonJohn Good point, I added additional source from Fidelity that covers this. The settlement period differs depending on the type of security, and they say open-end mutual funds settle next day while ETF requires 2.
– BrianH
8 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
"Unsettled" means payment has not been made and legal title has not passed yet (takes 2 days, "T+2" for stock, or 1 day "T+1" for options). It is rare that this process doesn't happen.
– xirt
6 hours ago
add a comment |
You sold your ETF shares so the transaction is complete. Poof! Your shares are gone.
Equities have a T+2 settlement date. Since it's a Cash Account, that means that the proceeds from your sale will be available for trading in two days.
In a margin account, your broker would allow you to buy other securities immediately.
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
1
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
add a comment |
You sold your ETF shares so the transaction is complete. Poof! Your shares are gone.
Equities have a T+2 settlement date. Since it's a Cash Account, that means that the proceeds from your sale will be available for trading in two days.
In a margin account, your broker would allow you to buy other securities immediately.
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
1
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
add a comment |
You sold your ETF shares so the transaction is complete. Poof! Your shares are gone.
Equities have a T+2 settlement date. Since it's a Cash Account, that means that the proceeds from your sale will be available for trading in two days.
In a margin account, your broker would allow you to buy other securities immediately.
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
You sold your ETF shares so the transaction is complete. Poof! Your shares are gone.
Equities have a T+2 settlement date. Since it's a Cash Account, that means that the proceeds from your sale will be available for trading in two days.
In a margin account, your broker would allow you to buy other securities immediately.
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
Bob BaerkerBob Baerker
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
24.8k3 gold badges38 silver badges64 bronze badges
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
1
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
add a comment |
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
1
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
This alone is a huge reason to have a margin account. I wish I knew this. The flexibility of switching from Bull to Bear at will and vice-versa is a great advantage, even if you don't use leverage normally.
– Zesty
6 hours ago
1
1
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
Just make sure that you don't run afoul of the Pattern Day Trader rule (if you have less than the $25k of minimum equity required)
– Bob Baerker
6 hours ago
add a comment |
