Futures mechanics
What is Maintenance Margin and what happens immediately when account equity drops below this threshold?
By Easy Money Scanner · Educational reference · Not investment advice
The short answer
Maintenance margin is the minimum equity level that must be sustained; falling below it triggers a margin call for additional funds.
How it works
Exchanges and brokers monitor equity continuously; breaches can prompt forced liquidation of positions without prior trader notice in some cases.
An example
Equity below the maintenance threshold prompts a broker margin call or auto-liquidation.
Risk & limitations
Automatic liquidation can occur quickly, sometimes without advance warning to the trader.
Examples are hypothetical, not trade recommendations. US contract and regulatory references do not automatically apply in Canada. Rules, margin requirements and broker policies can change; confirm them with the relevant authority and your broker.