What is Intraday Margin Trading?

Intraday trading, often known as day trading, entails selling shares on the same day to lock in immediate profits from stock price movement. This practice allows traders to borrow funds from their broker to purchase more shares than they have available in cash, hence maximising returns. However, due to the varying stock values on any given day, day trading has inherent risks. Margin trading, computed by considering the client's overall exposure in the current market, can result in significant profits or massive losses in a short period. 

In day trading, no margin allows traders to improve their buying power by purchasing more than they presently have the cash, with their brokerage business covering the difference at interest. Although increased risk entails bigger profits, these gains are not guaranteed. Day traders must meet specific criteria while trading on margin.

What is Margin in Intraday Trading?

Margin in intraday trading refers to a loan made by the broker to the trader that is used to place orders. 

Suppose you have Rs 5000 to put towards shares. You decide to start day trading after opening an online trading account. You do some market research and discover that XYZ Limited’s shares are predicted to increase later today. 

Since you have Rs. 5,000 to invest, you can buy shares worth that sum and sell them at a higher price to make a profit. Let's assume that XYZ Limited's shares now cost Rs. 100 each. Therefore, with the Rs. 5000 you must deposit, you will purchase 50 shares. The share price rises to Rs.105 during the day. You sell the stock and make a 250 Rupee profit.

However, if you had more capital to invest, you might have made more money as you were confident that the price of the shares of XYZ Limited would rise. To enable traders to purchase more than their available cash will allow, stockbrokers provide a margin facility. They provide various margins for various shares.

Utilising the margin facility increases both your potential gains and losses in intraday trading. Additionally, you must follow the broker's maintenance margin requirements and margin calls. Borrowed money, margin calls, and maintenance requirements can all increase losses if the trades turn bad. However, the margin in day trading may be quite helpful to you if you use it correctly and consistently. 

A minimum margin, sometimes referred to as the advance payment to the broker, is required. For instance, if you lose the trading bet and fail to repay the funds that were borrowed, the broker may use this amount to square off the deal.

Margin Requirements by SEBI

SEBI recently modified its intraday margin guidelines to satisfy margin obligations. Previously, the margin need was calculated at the conclusion of the trading day; however, traders must now complete their margin obligations at the start of each new intraday transaction. In addition, the margin requirement for cash market trading in 2020 has been reduced. 

Intraday traders, for example, must deposit around 20% of their overall transaction volume with their broker to use the margin facility. Traders can use any existing securities as collateral.

What are Day Trading Margin Calls?

Day trading margin calls and the online day trading maintenance amount are now required in India for intraday margin trading. If you trade on margin during the day, you must have a specific amount in your account to preserve the margin.

A margin call will be issued if the margin is not maintained in day trading during the same day. To comply with this margin call and return your day trading account to the intraday margin maintenance amount, you will need to either deposit more money into your account or cancel the positions.

After learning the basics of what margin is in intraday trading, continue reading to learn more about margin calls.

When an intraday deal underperforms for any reason, a margin call may cause expenses to spike. For a better understanding of margin in day trading, consider the following example. Take into account a trader who has Rs.40,000 more than is required for margin maintenance.

Under the condition that they trade on a 5x margin (5 x 40,000), it will provide the trader purchasing power of Rs.2,00,000 in day trading. Let's now imagine that the same trader purchases Rs.1,80,000 worth of ABC company stocks at 9:45 a.m. The trader buys XYZ shares worth Rs. 1,60,000 on the same day at 10 o'clock, 15 minutes later. 

In this instance, the trader went above their maximum purchasing power. The trader will receive a day trading margin call on the next trading day, regardless of whether they are ready to sell both of their stock holdings during the afternoon transaction.

Benefits of Intraday Margin Trading

Now that you are aware of what intraday margin is, let's look at some of the benefits it offers while day trading online:

1. You have the option of taking advantage of a profitable trading opportunity if your capital funding is insufficient by using the margin facility.

2. If your stockbroker is on board, you have the option to use the shares in your Demat account as margin collateral.

3. The intraday margin makes it possible for you to purchase more shares with the same amount of capital, increasing your capital's purchasing power.

4. By utilising the intraday margin capability, you may improve and increase ROI.

Drawbacks of Intraday Margin Trading

Everything has drawbacks, and using leverage when day trading online is no different. You should be aware of the following drawbacks of intraday margin:

1. The intraday margin is also in charge of amplifying your losses in addition to generating bigger earnings. You risk losing a significant portion of your cash if one deal goes wrong.

2. Over-leveraging is among the most frequent causes of substantial losses in the stock market. Many new traders who engage in high-margin Internet day trading lose all of their money.

3. You will always need to satisfy the minimum balance requirements. If you don't fulfil these criteria, your broker will close the deal. This will steal away your chance to make a profitable deal.

Conclusion 
Intraday margin trading is a tough trading activity that beginners should learn carefully. Even those with knowledge should use caution while employing margin for the same. Margin offers traders more purchasing power, but it should be utilised carefully for day trading to prevent traders from suffering significant losses. 

Limiting your activities to the parameters established for the margin account can cut down on margin calls and the subsequent need for extra money. Avoid experimenting with a margin account if you are trying day trading for the first time.