Last Updated on 21 October, 2023 by Samuelsson

The world of investing is a high-stakes game, where the returns you reap are directly tied to the capital you put on the line. It’s tempting to explore opportunities for leveraging a larger investing capital, but is trading on margin truly a wise choice?

Trading on margin can be a prudent strategy if you have a clear understanding of the associated risks and are well-prepared to protect your investments. However, it can also prove catastrophic if it leads you to overextend your financial resources, pushing you into risky territory. It’s important to remember that investing itself carries inherent risks, with or without margin.

To make an informed decision about trading on margin, it’s essential to grasp the concept and weigh its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s start by delving into the intricacies of margin trading.

What Is Trading on Margin?

Trading on margin involves buying or selling assets with only a portion of the required capital, while your broker or the exchange covers the rest. In simpler terms, you’re essentially borrowing money to bolster your position in the market.

In stock trading, your broker typically lends you the necessary funds to complete your trade. In contrast, in the futures market, it’s the clearinghouse of the exchange that provides the required balance. To engage in stock trading on margin, you’ll need to open a margin account, distinct from the conventional cash account.

In the United States, the law mandates that a margin account must have a minimum balance of $2,000, and you need to provide at least 50% of the intended investment amount as the initial margin. If your trade is profitable, your trader’s equity, which represents your share of the invested capital, will grow. However, if your trade incurs losses, your equity will decrease. Throughout the trade’s duration, your trader’s equity must not dip below 25% or any maintenance margin specified by your broker.

In simple terms, the initial margin is the sum required to initiate a trade, whereas the maintenance margin comes into play after you’ve entered the trade.

Day Trader Pattern Rule

A key rule that applies to all margin account holders is the pattern day trader rule. In brief, this rule places restrictions on margin accounts with balances under $25,000. However, it primarily regulates day trading activities and doesn’t pose a problem if you intend to hold your positions overnight.

Advantages of Trading on Margin

Trading on margin offers several advantages, including:

1. Higher Potential Returns: Margin trading allows you to magnify the size of your market position, leveraging a larger capital base. The relationship between initial margin and leverage is inversely proportional. The lower your initial deposit (margin), the higher your leverage, and consequently, the greater your potential returns. For instance, if your initial deposit covers 50% of a trade’s total cost, you stand to earn twice as much as you would with a cash account.
2. Diversification Opportunities: Margin trading can free up funds that you can allocate to other investments, diversifying your portfolio. For example, if you intend to invest $2,000 in each of 10 different stocks but have only $10,000, a margin account allows you to achieve this diversification, which isn’t feasible with a cash account.
3. Increased Dividend Income: Dividend payments are made per share. Trading on margin enables you to purchase more shares, potentially leading to higher dividend income from dividend-paying stocks.
4. Accessible Funding for New Opportunities: At times, you may spot a discounted stock that piques your interest, but your available cash falls short. A margin account allows you to easily borrow from your broker to seize such opportunities, such as employee stock option plans.
5. Competitive Interest Rates: The interest rates on margin accounts are often more favorable compared to traditional bank loans or credit card cash advances.
6. Flexible Repayment Schedule: You can hold the loan as long as your equity remains above the maintenance margin, repaying it when you close your trade.

Disadvantages of Trading on Margin

Naturally, where there’s potential for reward, there’s also risk. The drawbacks of trading on margin include:

1. Higher Potential Losses: It’s impossible to predict with certainty whether a trade will move in your favor. If a trade goes against you, losses can be amplified due to margin trading. With a 50% margin, your losses would be twice what they would be with a cash account.
2. Interest Payments: Margin trading essentially involves taking a loan, which comes with an interest cost. You’re obligated to pay interest regardless of whether your investments are profitable. However, this interest expense doesn’t apply to futures trading, as futures contracts involve buying or selling an asset at a future date, rather than holding the asset immediately.
3. Margin Calls: A trader’s worst nightmare in margin trading is receiving a margin call from the broker. A margin call is a demand for additional deposits when your trader’s equity falls below the required maintenance level. Failure to meet a margin call can result in the broker liquidating some or all of your positions to safeguard their interests, effectively removing you from the trade if your account balance can’t cover the initial margin.

Margin Trading in Stocks vs. Margin Trading in Futures

While there are similarities between margin trading in stocks and futures, there are also fundamental differences. In stock trading, you buy an asset (stocks) immediately, and the broker lends you the necessary funds, with the requirement that you contribute an initial margin. In futures trading, as the asset isn’t physically exchanged at the moment (futures are contracts to buy or sell an asset at a future date), the clearinghouse of the exchange covers the contract’s cost but requires collateral (margin) from the trader. Additionally, futures trading typically doesn’t involve interest rates.

There are notable distinctions in leverage as well. To open a margin account with a stockbroker, you must deposit a minimum amount, usually $2,000, which constitutes the initial margin. In futures trading, minimum margin requirements vary among brokers, with some offering micro-accounts that accept as little as $500.

Regulations also differ. In stock trading, the initial margin is typically limited to 50% of the total cost, allowing for a maximum leverage of 1:2. In futures trading, the initial margin requirement varies with the exchanges and contract types, generally offering much higher leverage, such as 20x or 10x.

Furthermore, maintenance margin requirements in stock trading generally stand at 25% of the total market value of the investment, while in futures trading, it fluctuates based on the contract type and is often subject to daily variations.

In Conclusion

Trading on margin can be a powerful tool if used prudently, but it can also be perilous if mismanaged. Remember that, as a loan, you’re obligated to pay interest regardless of your investment’s performance unless you’re dealing with futures contracts. Therefore, a profitable position can still translate into a losing investment.

Before venturing into margin trading, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand the nuances and potential risks. By doing so, you can make informed decisions and manage your investments more effectively. If you found this article informative, you might also enjoy exploring our other articles that address common questions and concerns among traders.