A demand from a broker for an investor to deposit additional money or securities when the value of securities bought on margin falls below a required minimum level. This protects the broker from losses on leveraged positions.
Combines 'margin' from Latin 'margo' (edge, border) referring to the difference between loan value and security value, and 'call' meaning a demand for payment. The term emerged in early 20th century stock trading as brokers developed systems to manage lending risk.
Margin calls are the financial equivalent of your credit card company freezing your account when you're approaching your limit - except the consequences can force you to sell investments at the worst possible time. Many fortunes have been lost not from bad investments, but from forced selling during margin calls!
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