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"Margin" is borrowing money from your broker to buy a stock and using your investment as collateral. Investors generally use margin to increase their purchasing power so that they can own more stock without fully paying for it. But margin exposes investors to the potential for higher losses.

Let's say you buy a stock for $50 and the price of the stock rises to $75. If you bought the stock in a cash account and paid for it in full, you'll earn a 50 percent return on your investment. But if you bought the stock on margin - paying $25 in cash and borrowing $25 from your broker - you'll earn a 100 percent return on the money you invested. Of course, you'll still owe your firm $25 plus interest. The downside to using margin is that if the stock price decreases, substantial losses can mount quickly. For example, let's say the stock you bought for $50 falls to $25. If you fully paid for the stock, you'll lose 50 percent of your money. But if you bought on margin, you'll lose 100 percent, and you still must come up with the interest you owe on the loan.

Margin accounts can be very risky and they are not suitable for everyone. Before opening a margin account, you should fully understand that: * You can lose more money than you have invested; * You may have to deposit additional cash or securities in your account on short notice to cover market losses; * You may be forced to sell some or all of your securities when falling stock prices reduce the value of your securities; and * Your brokerage firm may sell some or all of your securities without consulting you to pay off the loan it made to you. You can protect yourself by knowing how a margin account works and what happens if the price of the stock purchased on margin declines. Know that your firm charges you interest for borrowing money and how that will affect the total return on your investments. Be sure to ask your broker whether it makes sense for you to trade on margin in light of your financial resources, investment objectives, and tolerance for risk

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What is it called when stock is bought for a fraction of its cost and then resold for a profit without the full purchase price never having been paid?

This process is called purchasing on margin. This is actually one of the leading causes of the stock market crash in the 1920's, when the margins were called and they were unable to be paid.


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Carrying stock helps businesses meet customer demand promptly, ensuring that products are available when needed. It also allows for bulk purchasing, which can reduce costs and increase profit margins. Additionally, maintaining inventory can help manage supply chain disruptions and fluctuations in demand, providing a buffer that supports operational efficiency. Finally, having stock on hand can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by minimizing delays in order fulfillment.


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What is it called when stock is bought for a fraction of its cost and then resold for a profit without the full purchase price never having been paid?

This process is called purchasing on margin. This is actually one of the leading causes of the stock market crash in the 1920's, when the margins were called and they were unable to be paid.