Is Margin The Best Way To Make Money With Stocks?

By Richard Moran

The initial cause of the Great Depression and stock collapse of October 1929 was all the stock that had been purchased on margin. When the stock prices fell many of the people who had purchased on margin could not cover the margin calls and went bust. That of course was before the financial controls imposed by the government in today's market and theoretically that situation could never happen again although many of those who lost money in the past year may disagree. You can still buy stock by putting only a portion of the cost in hard cash down with the balance being covered by your credit standing and therefore on margin.

Cash is still king when it comes to purchasing stock

When you buy stocks outright you pay for your stocks at the time you purchase them. For example, you may purchase one hundred shares of stock at fifty dollars per share costing you five thousand dollars. It is over and done, you own the stocks, and they are free to earn you the money instead of earning someone else money. Since most brokerage firms require you to have a minimum equity of two thousand dollars to begin with before buying on margin, it simply makes sense to drop the number of shares you purchase and own them outright.

Buying on Margin

When you borrow money to buy a car you pay back what you borrowed, plus an interest charge. This is the same with marginal stock. You are borrowing part (usually around 80%) of the stock price from the broker. For this service the broker will charge you interest. If you buy a $100 stock you give the broker $20 and borrow $80. You then pay interest on that $80 until you sell. So theoretically, If the stock goes up to $150 you must give the broker back their $80 plus the interest for the time you held the stock. The great part in using margin (if the stock goes up) is making a $20 investment you have gotten your $20 back plus a $50 profit minus whatever interest is due. Many day traders use this method to make a lot of money by buying and selling stocks quickly - sometimes buying in the morning and selling in the afternoon - hence day trading.

The Real Magic Is Knowing What Stock To Buy

If your interested in margins the best advice is to know your stocks. One bad bet can cost a lost of money. Conversely, it can make you a bundle. History can help with a stocks' rises and falls but circumstances of a particular day can affect a solid stock to a great extent. Think what would happen to the health insurance provider's stock if the government announced universal health care for the citizens of the United States. Everything affects the stock prices - politics, weather, the moods of the people. When a few of the banks borrowed from the government most bank stock whet down, even if they were not borrowers from the fed.

Margin/Cash - so which is the best way?

It comes down to your mindset when it comes to risk. If you will get ulcers worrying about the money you owe on margin it might be a good idea to stay out of the market all together, or buy mutual funds and let someone else worry about the return. Paying cash leaves you in a more flexible position while the margin gives you greater potential. The most important thing is to do your research and invest with your head not your heart. - 23200

About the Author:

Richard Moran is a Business Consultant and writer for Money Helpers. The Blog contains hundreds of articles, charts, and calculators to aid you in your Business health. All the parts of the Blog are free and it is updated on an almost daily basis. If you are looking for any Business information or products they can be found on Money Helpers.