This section shows activity only for currency pair trades. The "Position" value may reflect the sum of trades executed in the FX market plus conversions to convert non-base funds into your base currency. Consequently these “virtual” postions do not necessarily reflect your real-time FX positions. For the actual currency balance, check the TotalCash field of the Market Value section.
To avoid having currency conversions reflected in this panel, use the FXCONV destination on the order line.
When the FX Portfolio panel is displayed, currency positions will also be displayed in the trading window. To remove currency positions from display, condense the FX Portfolio panel by clicking the arrow to the left of the panel title.
The following table defines the fields available for display in the FX Portfolio section.
Parameter
Description
Contract description
Symbol and description.
Exchange
An exchange on which the pair trades. This may not be the executing exchange for the trade.
Position
The sum of trades executed in the FX market for the selected currency pair.
Unsettled Position
Unsettled currency trades.
Currency
Currency used to buy/sell the FX pair.
Market Value
(Position) x (market price).
Market Price
Real-time price of the position.
Average Price
Average price per contract.
Unrealized P&L
The difference between the trade price and the market price times position, including commission.
Example: BUY 20,000 EUR.USD @ 1.54390
Trade Price = 1.54390
Market Price (current price) = 1.54385
1.54390 – 1.54385 = .00005
.00005 X 20,000 = 1
+ 2.5 commission = -3.50 Unrealized P&L
Realized P&L
Realized profit & loss for the pair.
Liquidate Last
Last liquidation "Yes" or "No" tag. If set to "Yes" this position will be put at the end of the queue to liquidate last in the case of margin requirements. To set, use the right-click menu on the desired position.
Note:While IB provides customers the opportunity to pre-request the order of liquidation in the event of a margin deficiency in their account, such requests are not binding on IB. In the event of a margin deficiency in customer’s IB account, IB retains the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the assets to be liquidated, the amount of assets liquidated, as well as the order and manner of liquidation. Customers are encouraged to consult the IB Customer Agreement and the IB Disclosure of Risks of Margin Trading for further information.
TWS FX Dual Presentation
In TWS, IB presents currency/FX position data in two different areas of the account window. We separate out your actual currency values, which may result from FX trades, conversions, or trading products in another currency, from your direct FX pair trading activity.
Market Value - Real FX Balances
Your account’s actual currency balances are shown in the Market Value – Real FX Balances section of the account window.
FX Portfolio - Virtual FX Position
The FX Portfolio section displays your FX trading activity in currency pairs, and may also reflect “indirect” FX currency conversions designed to close out a non-base currency balance. This view is helpful for FX Traders and allows tracking of a running P&L and average cost, but DOES NOT reflect your actual cash balance in any currency. To manage actual currency positions, refer to the Market Value - Real FX Balances section of the account window.
Automated FX Transaction Decision
When you submit an FX order, TWS will attempt to identify whether you want an FX pair trade or a currency conversion, based on your positions and balances, and will ask you how you want the currency trade to be considered. If you elect “Currency Conversion,” TWS will create the order to reflect this objective. You submit the order manually, and when the order fills your virtual position in the FX Portfolio section will not be affected. Previously, conversions would affect the virtual position and your only option was to manually adjust the position and cost to negate the completed conversion.
If you prefer to let TWSmake this determination without displaying the confirmation box, check Let TWSmake this determination automatically in the future at the bottom of the confirmation box. When you activate this feature, FX trades will display FXCONV as the Destination. You can change the destination on a per-order basis by selecting IDEALPRO. To enable the message again, activate it from the Messages section of Global Configuration. Note that the order is not transmitted automatically.
