Buying on margin allows you to borrow money from your broker to purchase more stock than you could with your own cash. While this "leverage" can boost your potential profits during a bull market, it significantly increases the danger to your portfolio when prices drop. 1. Amplified Losses The most significant risk is that leverage works both ways.

: A decline of 50% or more in a half-funded position can result in a loss of 100% or more of your initial capital. 2. You Can Lose More Than You Invested

Unlike a standard cash account where your losses are capped at the amount you paid, a margin account can leave you in debt. If the value of your securities drops sharply, you may lose your entire initial deposit and still owe the broker the remaining balance of the loan, plus interest. 3. The Dreaded "Margin Call" Buying On Margin: The Risks And Rewards Of Margin Trading

: If you buy $10,000 of stock using $5,000 of your own cash and $5,000 in margin, a 25% drop in the stock price ($2,500 loss) actually results in a 50% loss of your initial $5,000 investment.

The Double-Edged Sword: Why Buying on Margin is a High-Risk Strategy