[This post is contributed by Prachi Pandya, founding proprietress of
Corporate Attorneys and Vanessa
Fernandes, an intern at Corporate Attorneys]
Corporate Attorneys and Vanessa
Fernandes, an intern at Corporate Attorneys]
Despite being termed as a weapon of mass destruction by Warren Buffet, derivatives
are still an integral part of stock market trading. Whilst purchasing equity,
one has to pay the entire value of the shares purchased within the settlement
period of two days. Unlike equity, while dealing in derivatives, one has to pay
only a minimum amount to purchase it. This minimum amount is prescribed by the
stock exchange, which is called the ‘margin’.
are still an integral part of stock market trading. Whilst purchasing equity,
one has to pay the entire value of the shares purchased within the settlement
period of two days. Unlike equity, while dealing in derivatives, one has to pay
only a minimum amount to purchase it. This minimum amount is prescribed by the
stock exchange, which is called the ‘margin’.
Stockbrokers are required to collect margin from their constituents for
the derivative instruments purchased by the latter. This margin money is then
required to be paid by the stock broker to the relevant stock exchange. There
are several types of margins payable by the investor depending upon the
derivative product purchased.
the derivative instruments purchased by the latter. This margin money is then
required to be paid by the stock broker to the relevant stock exchange. There
are several types of margins payable by the investor depending upon the
derivative product purchased.
The most important margin is the ‘Initial Margin’. Initial margin, which
is prescribed by the stock exchange, is a minimum amount of money payable by
the investor to the broker for the derivative instrument purchased by the
investor.
is prescribed by the stock exchange, is a minimum amount of money payable by
the investor to the broker for the derivative instrument purchased by the
investor.
Another important margin is ‘Mark to Market’ margin, which the broker is
required to collect at the end of the trading day. Additionally, stock brokers
themselves also have the option to collect additional margin over and above that
prescribed by the stock exchange in order to cover themselves from any
volatility occurring in the stock market.
required to collect at the end of the trading day. Additionally, stock brokers
themselves also have the option to collect additional margin over and above that
prescribed by the stock exchange in order to cover themselves from any
volatility occurring in the stock market.
The most common issue / question in disputes between the broker and its constituent
involving derivative trades is “whether the collection of margin is mandatory?”
involving derivative trades is “whether the collection of margin is mandatory?”
There are several cases wherein it is observed that when a constituent
is dealing in derivatives, the broker does not collect the minimum margin or
mark to market margin at the end of each trading day. Owing to this, the debit balance
or the amount payable by the investor to the broker considerably swells up over
a period of time. There are cases wherein the debit balance payable by the
constituent swells up to crores of rupees.
is dealing in derivatives, the broker does not collect the minimum margin or
mark to market margin at the end of each trading day. Owing to this, the debit balance
or the amount payable by the investor to the broker considerably swells up over
a period of time. There are cases wherein the debit balance payable by the
constituent swells up to crores of rupees.
The pertinent questions that need to be addressed are:
– Whether collection of
margin is mandatory for a broker prior to placing trades in the derivative
segment, for and on behalf of its constituent?
margin is mandatory for a broker prior to placing trades in the derivative
segment, for and on behalf of its constituent?
– Whether the broker has
any discretion in deciding the amount of margin to be collected from its
constituent?
any discretion in deciding the amount of margin to be collected from its
constituent?
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and other stock exchanges have their own
regulations which govern the issue of margin. For example, NSE’s Regulation (on
Derivatives) 3.10 provides for “Margin Collection from the Constituents”. Regulation
3.10(a) inter alia states “The Trading Members must demand from its
constituents the Margin Deposit which the member has to provide under these
Trading Regulations in respect of the business done by the Members for such constituents.”
regulations which govern the issue of margin. For example, NSE’s Regulation (on
Derivatives) 3.10 provides for “Margin Collection from the Constituents”. Regulation
3.10(a) inter alia states “The Trading Members must demand from its
constituents the Margin Deposit which the member has to provide under these
Trading Regulations in respect of the business done by the Members for such constituents.”
The said regulation further states “Trading
member shall buy and / or sell derivative contracts on behalf of the
constituents only on the receipt of margin of minimum such percentage as the
Relevant Authority may decide from time to time ….. Trading Member. The Trading
member may collect higher margins from constituents, as he deems fit.”
member shall buy and / or sell derivative contracts on behalf of the
constituents only on the receipt of margin of minimum such percentage as the
Relevant Authority may decide from time to time ….. Trading Member. The Trading
member may collect higher margins from constituents, as he deems fit.”
The words “must demand”, “which the member has to provide” and “buy and
sell derivative contracts only on receipt of minimum margin” in the above
quoted regulation makes it amply clear that the regulation mandates collection
of margin by the broker prior to placing of trades in the derivative segment
for its constituents. It can be safely said that collection of margin is a
“condition precedent” to placing trades in the derivative segment of NSE.
sell derivative contracts only on receipt of minimum margin” in the above
quoted regulation makes it amply clear that the regulation mandates collection
of margin by the broker prior to placing of trades in the derivative segment
for its constituents. It can be safely said that collection of margin is a
“condition precedent” to placing trades in the derivative segment of NSE.
What is discretionary is that a broker is free to collect margin over
and above the margin amounts prescribed by the stock exchange. However, a
broker cannot be said to be having discretion or leeway with regard to
collecting the Initial Margin and Mark to Market margin prescribed by the stock
exchange.
and above the margin amounts prescribed by the stock exchange. However, a
broker cannot be said to be having discretion or leeway with regard to
collecting the Initial Margin and Mark to Market margin prescribed by the stock
exchange.
In fact SEBI and NSE (and other stock exchanges) have issued circulars
which impose penalty on a broker for not collecting the prescribed margin.
which impose penalty on a broker for not collecting the prescribed margin.
The Regulations have further empowered and safeguarded the broker by
providing that if the constituent fails to pay the prescribed margin demanded
by the broker, the broker has the right to square off the constituent’s
position. However, demand is a ‘condition precedent’ prior to broker exercising
his right to square off.
providing that if the constituent fails to pay the prescribed margin demanded
by the broker, the broker has the right to square off the constituent’s
position. However, demand is a ‘condition precedent’ prior to broker exercising
his right to square off.
Further, the Bombay High Court in the case of Bonanza Portfolio Ltd.
v. Mrs. Roshanara Bhinder dated 16 April 2015 has held that the broker
cannot square off open derivative positions without demanding additional
margin. The said order further holds: “In
my view the whole purpose of such bye-laws in the Multi Commodity Exchange of
India Ltd. is to provide safeguard that there is mitigation of loss and thus
makes is mandatory for the broker to square off the transactions immediately
upon there being a shortfall which according to the broker had not been paid by
the constituent inspite of demand.”
v. Mrs. Roshanara Bhinder dated 16 April 2015 has held that the broker
cannot square off open derivative positions without demanding additional
margin. The said order further holds: “In
my view the whole purpose of such bye-laws in the Multi Commodity Exchange of
India Ltd. is to provide safeguard that there is mitigation of loss and thus
makes is mandatory for the broker to square off the transactions immediately
upon there being a shortfall which according to the broker had not been paid by
the constituent inspite of demand.”
The High Court in its order in the case of Kritika Nagpal v.
Geojit Financial Ltd. has held: “The
nature of transaction and the business in question, if provides and gives sole
discretion to the member even to square off and/ or sale of securities, without
any reference and/ or prior notice to the client as stated, just cannot be
permitted to proceed without considering the basic principle of power to
exercise discretion and due notice and/ or intimation before taking such drastic
steps.”
Geojit Financial Ltd. has held: “The
nature of transaction and the business in question, if provides and gives sole
discretion to the member even to square off and/ or sale of securities, without
any reference and/ or prior notice to the client as stated, just cannot be
permitted to proceed without considering the basic principle of power to
exercise discretion and due notice and/ or intimation before taking such drastic
steps.”
To sum up, collection of margin monies prescribed by the stock exchanges
is mandatory. Brokers have the discretion to collect margin monies over and
above prescribed by the stock exchanges. The brokers have to mandatorily make a
demand upon its constituent for shortfall in margin monies on the outstanding
derivative positions of its client. It is only upon failure to meet the margin
call by the constituents that the brokers can square off the open position of
its constituents.
is mandatory. Brokers have the discretion to collect margin monies over and
above prescribed by the stock exchanges. The brokers have to mandatorily make a
demand upon its constituent for shortfall in margin monies on the outstanding
derivative positions of its client. It is only upon failure to meet the margin
call by the constituents that the brokers can square off the open position of
its constituents.
– Prachi Pandya & Vanessa Fernandes