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Glossary

Terms, defined plainly

Balance sheetFundamentals
A snapshot on one date of what a company owns, owes, and the residual owners' equity.
Lesson: The three financial statements
LeverageFutures
Notional exposure divided by account equity; scales percentage gains and losses.
Lesson: Leverage and liquidation
Maintenance marginFutures
The minimum equity required to keep a position open; falling below it can trigger a margin call or liquidation.
Lesson: Margin is not risk