what is a margin call 
a margin call occurs when the percentage of an investor s equity in a margin account falls below the broker s required amount an investor s margin account contains securities bought with a combination of the investor s own money and money that was borrowed from the investor s broker a margin call refers specifically to a broker s demand that an investor deposit additional money or securities into the account so the value of the investor s equity and the account value rise to a minimum value indicated by the maintenance requirement a margin call is usually an indicator that the securities held in the margin account have decreased in value the investor must choose to either deposit additional funds or marginable securities in the account or sell some of the assets held in their account when a margin call occurs investopedia michela buttignol