CFA CFA Level 1 Maintenance margin vs initial margin

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Maintenance margin vs initial margin

Topic Resolution: Resolved
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    • Avatar of linnete12linnete12
      Participant
        • CFA Level 1
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        When the margin falls below the maintenance margin, should it be brought back to the maintenance margin, or initial margin?

      • Avatar of Zee TanZee Tan
        Keymaster
          • CFA Charterholder
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          The initial margin is the amount a trader must deposit with their broker to initiate a trading position.

          The maintenance margin is the amount of money a trader must have on deposit in their account to maintain their position. This is typically lower than the initial margin (about 50-75%).

          So when the margin falls below the maintenance margin, the investor faces a margin call. The investor needs to top up with additional funds or sell off to meet the maintenance margin requirement, not initial margin.

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