Margin trading lets you borrow money from a broker to buy more securities than you could with cash alone. This approach amplifies both gains and losses, and comes with specific rules about how much you can borrow, what happens if your account value drops, and what costs you'll pay. Understanding how margin accounts work—and the risks involved—matters before you decide whether this strategy fits your situation.
The articles here answer practical questions about how margin accounts function: what initial deposits and ongoing account balances you need to maintain, how interest charges work on borrowed funds, what a margin call is and when it happens, and how losses can exceed your original investment. You'll also find information about the rules that govern margin trading and how it differs from buying securities outright.