Margin Call Definition. What is a Margin Call? It is a request from a broker or dealer for additional funds, other collateral, or instructions to liquidate positions at the point which margin maintenance levels are breached. The broker acts in this way to mitigate their risk on a position that has moved against the forex trader. Margin, commonly referred to as Leverage in forex trading, is the ratio of the amount used in a transaction to the required security deposit. A broker will advance these funds depending upon the amount of the initial margin and maintenance deposit on hand and their appraisal of their risk of loss in the transaction. A forex trader utilizes Leverage to increase the potential for a higher return on their invested capital. However, they also increases the potential for loss at the same time if they use these borrowed funds unwisely. Leverage can magnify both gains and losses. Since leverage does involve increased risk, a forex trader should be extra cautious when using it. They should also be skeptical of brokers that promote the usage of enormous amounts of leverage. The potential for fraud exists with these brokers since price/spread manipulation can be easily disguised and used by an unscrupulous broker to steal the funds in your accounts.
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