• A margin call occurs when a margin account runs out of funds, usually due to a losing trade.

  • Margin requirements are requirements for additional capital or securities to bring the margin account in line with service requirements.
  • Brokers can force a trader to sell assets, regardless of the market price, to meet a margin requirement if the trader does not deposit funds.
  • Margin calls can also arise when shares rise in price and losses begin to rise on accounts that have shorted the shares.
  • Investors can avoid margin calls by monitoring their capital and keeping enough equity in their account to keep the value above the required maintenance level.