Margin Call
What Is a Margin Call?
A margin call happens when your trading account doesn’t have enough money to keep your trades open. In simple terms, it’s a warning from your firm/broker telling you to add more funds or close some positions because your account balance is too low to cover the required margin.
For example, imagine you open a trade on EURUSD at 1.10201. If the market moves against you and your losses become too large compared to your margin, you could receive a margin call.
Why Does a Margin Call Happen?
A margin call in forex or CFDs usually occurs when:
- Your trades move heavily against you.
- You don’t have enough free balance left to support the open positions.
- Your account equity falls below the firm/broker’s required margin level.
This is why it’s important to understand what is margin call and how it can affect your trading.
How to Avoid a Margin Call?
To avoid a margin call, traders often use tools like a margin calculator or apply the margin call formula. These help estimate how much balance is needed to keep trades safe.
The best way to prevent a margin call is to:
- Use proper risk management.
- Avoid using too much leverage.
- Always keep extra funds in your account.
Other Glossary Terms
M
- Margin
Margin in trading is the portion of funds a trader must set aside as collateral to open and maintain positions, ensuring they can cover potential losses on active trades.
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- Market Maker
A market maker is a broker or institution that provides both buy and sell prices, ensuring constant liquidity so trades execute instantly and markets stay active and efficient.
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