Margin Debt Gained Quickly. It's Now At a Record $1.2 Trillion.
Barrons·2025-11-17 19:42
Core Insights - Margin debt has reached a record high of $1.2 trillion, indicating a significant increase in investor borrowing to purchase stocks [1][2] - The rise in margin debt over the past six months is the second largest since March 2000, reflecting a strong correlation with stock market movements [2] Summary by Categories - Margin Debt Trends - Margin debt has surged to an all-time high of $1.18 trillion, marking a substantial increase in investor leverage [2] - The growth in margin debt is indicative of investor behavior, particularly in chasing stock market momentum [2] - Historical Context - The current increase in margin debt is the second largest gain in the last 25 years, following the period ending in March 2000 [2]