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Margin trading, also known as leverage trading, is the process of using borrowed capital to increase the potential return of an investment. This type of trading is increasingly popular in the investment and commodity markets because it allows traders to take larger positions and take on higher risk than would be possible with their own capital.
In margin trading, the amount of money a trader borrows is referred to as the margin. The margin is the amount of money a trader must have in their account in order to be able to act on a particular transaction. Margin trading is a method of trading that gives an investor the ability to increase their potential returns by taking larger positions with less investment capital.
The most common form of margin trading involves the use of futures contracts and options. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell a commodity at a certain date and for a certain price. Options, on the other hand, are derivative contracts that give the holder the right to buy or sell a commodity at a predetermined price. In order to purchase a futures contract or an option, a trader must first open a margin account.
Margin accounts are regulated and approved by the broker or financial institution in which the account is held. The reason for this is to protect the lender from potential losses. The investor who opens the margin account will be required to maintain a certain ratio of cash and securities to their margin balance. This ratio is called the “initial margin requirement”, and it is the amount of cash that must be held in the account in order to maintain the position.
When an investor goes into a margin trading position, they will typically be required to post collateral, such as a warehouse receipt, in order to guarantee the performance of the transaction. This type of collateral is referred to as a “margin call”, and if the value of the collateral falls below the margin requirement, then the investor is required to deposit additional collateral to cover the difference.
In addition to collateral, margin trading also involves the payment of interest on the loan. The interest charged on a margin loan is usually at a rate that is higher than the current prime rate. Additionally, the investor will often be subject to other fees related to the margin loan, such as margin call fees and termination fees.
Overall, margin trading is an attractive way for investors to increase their potential returns. However, it comes with added risk, and it is important for investors to do their research and understand the terms and conditions of their margin loan before engaging in this type of trading. Margin trading is not suitable for all investors, and those who do choose to engage in margin trading should do so with caution.