Multiple choice general knowledge

You may receive a margin call if:

  1. you have a long (buy) futures position and prices increase.

  2. you have a long (buy) futures position and prices decrease.

  3. you have a short (sell) futures position and prices increase.

  4. you have a short (sell) futures position and prices decrease.

  5. both (1) and (4).

  6. both (2) and (3).

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
F Correct answer
Explanation

A margin call occurs when your account balance falls below the maintenance margin requirement. For a long futures position, this happens when prices decrease because you're locked into buying at the higher contract price. For a short position, it happens when prices increase because you must buy back at higher prices to fulfill your obligation. Therefore, both scenarios (2) and (3) correctly describe margin call situations.