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Re:Robinhood stock trading app confirms $110M raise at $1.3B... by kcorbitt on Wednesday April 26, 2017 @12:04PM (#14204206)
Actually, if your investments fall in value to the point where it looks like your account is in danger of becoming insolvent, they'll likely immediately sell as many of your assets as it takes to make up the difference, locking in your leveraged losses. This is known as a margin call, and it's very unpleasant to be on the receiving end of one.

The actual risk to the broker is minimal -- they just have to make sure to trigger the sale at a point where the value of all of your holdings (not just what you purchased on margin) is still greater than what you owe them.

Re:Robinhood stock trading app confirms $110M raise at $1.3B... by koolba on Wednesday April 26, 2017 @12:57PM (#14204780)
Exactly. They have the right to liquidate to protect themselves at any time and if it doesn't cover your margin, your still on the hook for the rest.
Re:Robinhood stock trading app confirms $110M raise at $1.3B... by kgwgk on Wednesday April 26, 2017 @12:45PM (#14204656)
I think you may end owing money to the broker, if the margin call cannot be executed in a clean way. That has to be even more unpleasant.