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What is a margin account?

Updated: 9/14/2023
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12y ago

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A " Margin Account" is a type brokerage account in which the broker-dealer lends the investor cash, using the account as collateral, to purchase

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Adrien Smith

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Q: What is a margin account?
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Related questions

Is the gross margin an account?

it is not an account.


What is the definition of the buying power of money?

"The money an investor has available to buy securities. In a margin account, the buying power is the total cash held in the brokerage account plus maximum margin available. Also referred to as "excess equity." For example, if you have $1,000 cash in a margin account and the maximum margin rate is 50%, then your total buying power is $2,000. For a non-margin account, the buying power is equal to the amount of cash in the account." From Investopedia.com


Is a monthly payment required on a margin account?

anonymously


What are the different kinds of brokerage account types asked by Bradley Associates Spain?

Yes, actually brokerage houses offer clients a number of different accounts. The most common ones are a cash account, a margin account (cash and margin account), and an option account (cash, margin, and option account). Basically, these accounts represent different levels of credit and trustworthiness of the account holder as evaluated by the brokerage house.


Where can one find information on what a margin account is?

There are several available online sources where one can learn what a margin account is. Just a few of them are Investopedia, Themargintrader, Etrade, and Investingonline.


Can you have margin on an IRA account?

According to IRA regulations, if any part of an IRA is used as collateral, the entire IRA is considered to be distributed. Distribution of such accounts are subject to income taxes and an additional penalties. This is important because margin accounts require that you pledge your account as collateral. Your attempt to convert an IRA account into a margin account will nullify it's "qualified" status. It is for this reason that investment firms will not provide margin for a retirement account. Also, you are not allowed to have/keep a debit balance in a IRA account ***Revision Updated as Feb. 5, 2011 Select few brokerages will grant margin on IRA accounts. However, the margin capability will not be allowed leverage. The alternative purpose for seeking margin account is to avoid the settlement period (3 days, in which, the proceeds and principal cannot be used). Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade allow margining IRAs for settlement avoidances, only. This service has been approved be the Securities Exchange Commission. Bottom line: YES, you can margin an IRA account. NOT, for leveraging purposes.


What is a margin in commodities trading?

A margin in commodities trading, is the amount of money you have to deposit in your brokerage account before trading a futures contract. The margin amount varies on each commodity and fluctuates with the volatility of the markets. There is an initial margin amount required when entering a contract and "maintenance" margin amount that must be kept in the account at all times during the contract holding period, which is typically lower than the initial margin. The balance of your account will fluctuate with gains and losses on the contract and if the balance falls below the "maintenance margin" amount, you get a "margin call", which means you must deposit enough money to meet the margin or close your contract. If you don't do either of these options, the broker will close the position before the balance falls to zero.


Can you sue a broker for buying stocks on margin when not authorized to do so?

when you opened the account you probably opened with margin. If you bought more stock than you had cash for and were leveraged against your will and had to sell out or got a margin call you can go to arbitration. You waived your right to sue wen you opened the account, you have to go arbitration which can work out better for you.


Can you trade on margin and short stocks in your self directed IRA?

According to IRA regulations, if any part of an IRA is used as collateral, the entire IRA is considered to be distributed. Distribution of such accounts are subject to income taxes and an additional penalties. This is important because margin accounts require that you pledge your account as collateral. Your attempt to convert an IRA account into a margin account will nullify it's "qualified" status. It is for this reason that investment firms will not provide margin for a retirement account. Also, because shorting stocks requires the use of a margin account you can not invest in this way either. If you wish to short stock you must open a standard margin account that is not a qualified retirement account.


What is debit adjustment?

The amount in a margin account that is owed to the broker, minus profits on short sales and balances in a special miscellaneous account (SMA). The adjusted debit balance aids an investor in knowing how much he/she owes in the event of a margin call. Under Regulation T, one can borrow up to 50% of the purchase price of securities on margin.


What is a debit adjustment?

The amount in a margin account that is owed to the broker, minus profits on short sales and balances in a special miscellaneous account (SMA). The adjusted debit balance aids an investor in knowing how much he/she owes in the event of a margin call. Under Regulation T, one can borrow up to 50% of the purchase price of securities on margin.


Minimum deposits left with a stockbroker as down payments on securities?

Margin requirements are the minimum deposit that is left with a stockbroker to use as a down payment on securities. When buying on margin, the net value of the account needs to stay above this margin requirement