Having a brain fart on figuring out margin used based on stop?

Discussion in 'Forex' started by Pelt, Jun 9, 2022.

  1. Pelt

    Pelt

    It shows the PnL for each pip based on position size... but I already know how to calculate this myself. I mentioned the 4 formulas above for calculating your position size.

    But that's not the info I am looking for. I am looking for the formula for Margin USED, after entering a position, as price moves against your position.

    Think about it this way... if you enter a position... at some point price will move so far against you, that you would use 100% of your margin. The question is... how do you figure out what this point is? For the moment, ignore the threshold the broker sets(oanda is 50%), as thats not the difficult part.

    This will change depending on how much you buy and what leverage you are using.
     
    #11     Jun 9, 2022
  2. cesfx

    cesfx

    X = Balance - [Balance + open PnL - (trade notional value / leverage)]
     
    #12     Jun 9, 2022
  3. cesfx

    cesfx

    Or...?

    X = Balance - {balance + open PnL - [(Base Currency / Account Currency) ✕ Units] / Leverage}

    This should give you Margin Used if I am not mistaken...
    Although we agree it's obvious you won't be allowed to go past your net balance.
     
    #13     Jun 9, 2022
  4. Pelt

    Pelt

    Correct, we don't need to worry about that for this discussion.

    Lemme check out your formulas, will report back in a few.
     
    #14     Jun 9, 2022
  5. The margin required to maintain a position at any level would be the same as if you were to open a position at that level.
     
    #15     Jun 9, 2022
  6. Pelt

    Pelt

    So what is the formula, while factoring in your unrealized?
     
    #16     Jun 9, 2022
  7. #17     Jun 9, 2022
  8. Pelt

    Pelt

    Not saying its wrong, as I could simply be screwing it up, but I'm not getting the correct answer.
     
    #18     Jun 9, 2022
  9. SunTrader

    SunTrader

    Nope. I understood just now, reading first post on, what you are looking for but my FX knowledge is a little bit rusty since its been years since my last trade after switching to currency futures so I can't offer assistance.
     
    #19     Jun 9, 2022
    Pelt likes this.
  10. cesfx

    cesfx

    I put a - for a + there...

    last time I did an equation smartphones were yet to be invented

    Margin=
    10k trade : 50 leverage = 200

    Cash available=
    1k (balance) - (10k units : 50 leverage) = 800

    Margin used =
    1k balance - [1k (balance) - (10k units : 50 leverage)] = 200

    including Pnl, let's assume -100$ to the 200 used margin figure:

    1k balance - [1k (balance) + (-100$ PnL) - (10k units : 50 leverage)] = 300

    Although it's the cash available that changes, margin used stays the same, so...

    cash available=
    1k (balance) + (-100$ PnL) - (10k units : 50 leverage) = 700

    buying power of margin left: 700 x 50 leverage

    add a x50 to the formula if you want to know how much margin power you have left to spare with 100$ drawdown on your 10k trade, 50 leverage:

    50x [1k (balance) + (-100$ PnL) - (10k units : 50 leverage)] = 35k
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2022
    #20     Jun 9, 2022
    Pelt and SunTrader like this.