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What is a Stop Out?

Tim avatar
Written by Tim
Updated over 4 months ago

A Stop Out is the automatic closure of open positions when your account's margin level falls below a certain threshold. This mechanism helps protect your account from falling into a negative balance.


How the Stop Out works:

When you have active trades, your platform displays your margin level, calculated as:

Margin Level (%) = (Equity / Used Margin) × 100

  • Equity = Account balance + floating (unrealized) P/L

  • This calculation does not include any funds in your WorldTrade wallet


Stop Out Threshold Example:

At Atmexx, the Stop Out level is set at 50% across all account types and platforms.

Scenario:

  • Initial deposit: $1,000

  • Used margin: $100

  • Equity drops to: $50

  • Margin Level: (50 / 100) × 100 = 50%
    ✅ A Stop Out will be triggered, and positions will start closing automatically


Real Trade Example:

  • Asset: Brent Crude Oil, 100 barrels (0.1 lot)

  • Entry price: $55

  • Leverage: 1:10

  • Account balance: $600

  • Total position value: $55 × 100 = $5,500

  • Required margin: 10% → $550

  • Free margin: $600 – $550 = $50

To trigger a Stop Out at 50% margin level:

  • Equity needs to fall to $275

  • Loss needed: $600 – $275 = $325

  • Per-barrel loss: $325 / 100 = $3.25

  • Stop Out price: $55 – $3.25 = $51.75 (Bid price)

So, if the market drops to $51.75, your position will be closed due to a Stop Out.


Additional Notes:

  • Stop Outs help prevent negative balances, but during high volatility or market gaps, slippage may occur, and positions might be closed at less favorable prices.

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