margin call

American  

noun

Stock Exchange.

1. a demand from a brokerage house to a customer that more money or securities be deposited in their margin account when the amount in it falls below that stipulated as necessary to cover the stock purchased.

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Etymology

Origin of margin call

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“Hence, if assets bought on margin drop, it takes very little before investors have to raise additional cash to cover the margin calls,” he said.

From MarketWatch

The speed of the decline “suggests that some forced selling occurred as prices dropped quickly and traders faced margin calls,” Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera Investment Management, wrote Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several parishes had taken out mortgages on their church buildings to answer margin calls.

From The Wall Street Journal

That triggered forced selling from margin calls by brokers, driving down security prices for even unlevered investors, who suffered collateral damage.

From Barron's

The cryptocurrency’s struggle may stem from investors who bought around $90,000, now facing potential margin calls.

From Barron's