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Finance Concepts Explained
Capital Markets & Investments at Columbia Business School | Simon Oh

How Margin Calls Work (Short Selling)

What happens when your short position moves against you

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Initial State

  • You have $100 in cash.
  • Your broker can locate KKR shares to lend you for short selling.
  • You want to short $200 worth of KKR stock, betting the price will fall.
👤
You (Short Seller)
person
Balance Sheet
in $000s
Assets
Cash
100
Total100
Liabilities
Total0
Equity
Net Worth
100
Total100
🏦
Your Broker
institution
Balance Sheet
in $000s
Assets
Lendable Shares
200
Total200
Liabilities
Due to Lenders
200
Total200
Equity
Total0
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