Positions & Trade Mechanics
How a trade is actually put on: long, short, margin, leverage, and the order types that get you in and out.
18 terms in this unit.
Long Position
You own the asset and profit when its price rises.
Short Position (Short Selling)
You borrow shares, sell them, and profit if the price falls.
Margin
Borrowing from your broker to buy securities, using the account as collateral.
Cash Account
An account where every purchase is paid for in full, no borrowing.
Leverage
Using borrowed money to increase exposure relative to your own capital.
Initial Margin (Reg T)
The equity you must put up to open a margin position - generally 50%.
Maintenance Margin
The minimum equity percentage you must keep in a margin account.
Margin Call
A demand to add cash or securities after equity falls below maintenance.
Short Squeeze
Rising prices force short sellers to buy back, pushing prices higher still.
Covering (Buy to Cover)
Buying shares back to close out a short position.
Naked Short Selling
Selling short without first borrowing or locating the shares.
Market Order
Execute immediately at whatever price is available.
Limit Order
Trade only at your specified price or better.
Stop Order (Stop Loss)
A dormant order that becomes live once a trigger price is touched.
Bid-Ask Spread
The gap between the best buy price and the best sell price.
Liquidity
How quickly an asset converts to cash without moving its price.
Slippage
The difference between the expected price and the actual fill.
Settlement (T+1)
The day the trade actually closes and cash and shares change hands.