CFA Level IDerivativesMedium
A trader holds a long futures position on 5,000 bushels of corn. The initial margin is $5,000 and the maintenance margin is $3,500. The futures price falls from $6.00 to $5.65 per bushel. How much must the trader deposit to restore the account to the initial margin level?
- A$3,250
- B$5,000
- C$1,750
- D$1,500
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. $1,750
Loss = 5,000 bushels × $0.35 decline = $1,750. New balance = $5,000 - $1,750 = $3,250, which is below the $3,500 maintenance margin, triggering a margin call. The trader must deposit enough to return the balance to the initial margin of $5,000: $5,000 - $3,250 = $1,750.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is the account balance after the loss, not the required deposit.
- B. This would be the deposit only if the entire account balance were wiped out.
- D. This is the maintenance margin minus the new balance, not the amount needed to reach the initial margin.
Futures Margin Call
When a futures account balance falls below the maintenance margin, the holder must deposit variation margin to bring the balance back up to the initial margin level.
- Margin call triggered when balance < maintenance margin
- Deposit required = initial margin - current balance
- Daily mark-to-market settles gains/losses in futures accounts
Memory trick: Fall below maintenance, top back up to initial — not just to the floor.