Pattern Day Trading Rule - The Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

What are the rules for pattern day trading? ›

According to FINRA rules, you're considered a pattern day trader if you execute four or more "day trades" within five business days—provided that the number of day trades represents more than 6 percent of your total trades in the margin account for that same five business day period.

The 3–5–7 rule in trading is a risk management principle that suggests allocating a certain percentage of your trading capital to different trades based on their risk levels. Here's how it typically works: 3% Rule: This suggests risking no more than 3% of your trading capital on any single trade.

Under the PDT rules, you must maintain minimum equity of $25,000 in your margin account prior to day trading on any given day. If the account falls below the $25,000 requirement, you cannot day trade until you are back at or above the $25,000 minimum.

If you make four or more day trades over the course of any five business days, and those trades account for more than 6% of your account activity over the period, your margin account will be flagged as a pattern day trader account.

On average, day traders with $10,000 accounts can make $200-$600 per day, with skilled traders aiming for 2%-5% returns daily.

1. Capital Markets Elite Group (CMEG) If you're looking for a no-PDT broker, Capital Markets Elite Group (CMEG) is a viable option. Since this company operates outside the U.S. (it's based in the Cayman Islands), it's not subject to the same rules as U.S.-based brokerage firms.

Defining a day trade

Pattern day trading restrictions don't apply to cash accounts, they only apply to margin accounts and IRA limited margin accounts. This means you can trade stocks, ETPs, and options in a cash account without worrying about your number of day trades.

The so-called first rule of day trading is never to hold onto a position when the market closes for the day. Win or lose, sell out. Most day traders make it a rule never to hold a losing position overnight in the hope that part or all of the losses can be recouped.

Pattern day trader: Regulations define this as someone with at least $25,000 on account, who executes four or more day trades within five business days, with those trades representing more than six percent of the customer's total trades. This is important for how the brokerage firm handles margin activity.

What happens if you are flagged as a PDT but have over 25,000? ›

When a customer with more than $25,000 is flagged as a PDT, the customer can day trade for unlimited times if he/she has sufficient day-trading buying power(DTBP). Your DTBP is equal to the excess maintenance margin that is available in your account multiplied by two (or by four, brokers can adjust the leverage).

You usually don't have to worry about violating this rule by mistake because your broker will notify you. If you ignore their warnings, they will freeze your brokerage account for 90 days. The Pattern Day Trading rule was implemented back in 2001 as a safety feature to help reduce the risk associated with day trading.

Account suspension: In some cases, a brokerage firm may suspend your account if you repeatedly violate the PDT Rule or other trading rules. The suspension may last for a certain period of time, or the firm may terminate your account altogether.

How Many Trades Can You Have Without 25k? In a cash account, you can trade as often as your funds allow, considering the settlement period. In a margin account, executing four or more day trades in five business days will flag you as a pattern day trader unless you maintain a balance of $25k.

Per FINRA regulation, PDT flags will remain on your account indefinitely, outside of extraordinary circ*mstances. What can I do? Make sure Pattern Day Trade Protection is enabled. These are a series of in-app notifications that let you know when your account is approaching or at risk of a PDT flag.

While the practice is legal, investors who trade the same securities often in a single day are potentially flagged as “pattern day traders" (PDT), which requires adherence to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) requirements.