In the IBKR trading platforms you simply enter a buy or sell order and the IBKR system marks your order as an opening buy or sell or a closing buy or sell. As an example, create a short sell order in the IBKR trading platform and IBKR checks the account's position and marks the order as an opening or closing order. Note that IBKR does not allow clients to simultaneously maintain both a long and short position in a given instrument, any order to sell (buy) will only result in a short (long) position to the extent the order quantity exceeds any existing long (short) position held and which would then be closed by execution of that order.
Where do I mark my order as a Sell to Close?
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How do I sell a stock short?
Procedurally, to sell short, all you need to do is specify your order Action as 'Sell' at the point you create your order. Note that we do not allow you to be both long and short the same security, so if you maintain a long position and enter a sell order, you will close out any long positions to the extent of your sell order and open a short position to the extent, if any, your sell order exceeds a long position. Please note that you must maintain a "Margin" type account with net liquidating equity of at least USD 2,000 for a short sale order to be accepted. Short sales are not allowed in "Cash" type accounts…
How do I short a stock?
If you do not already hold a long position and enter a sell order, your order will be treated as a short sale (as accounts cannot simultaneously hold both a long and short position in the same security…
What actions can I take to manage my options positions?
You can manage your options positions in several ways.
Close It: With this method, you use Order Entry to manually submit an order to sell or buy your option position. Simply tap Close It to see the Order Entry panel. Make changes to any parameter and submit. Note the closing is different from exercising. Closing it simply buys or sells the option contract. Exercising it buys or sells the underlying stock, requiring you to have enough buying power or underlying shares to complete the transaction. …
Can I hold both short and long positions in the same instrument simultaneously?
As IBKR does not allow clients to simultaneously maintain both a long and short position in a given instrument, any order to sell (buy) will only result in a short (long) position to the extent the order quantity exceeds any existing long (short) position held and which would then be closed by execution of that order…