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Money borrowed from a broker to buy securities.
Margin is money borrowed from your broker to buy investments, using your account as collateral. It is a form of leverage. If prices fall too far, the broker can demand more money (a margin call) or sell your positions.
With $5,000 of your own and $5,000 on margin, you buy $10,000 of stock; a 30% fall leaves you with $2,000 of your money.
Margin magnifies losses and charges interest. Total margin debt in the market is also watched as a sign of speculation.
Try it: Liquidation Calculator