Market volatility has become a constant companion for investment firms. Today’s topsy-turvy market and economic conditions are one of multiple key factors driving the importance of finding better ways to manage cash flows, liquidity, and overall financial stability.

The consistent and heightened market volatility we’ve experienced in recent years has led to a higher frequency of market shocks, such as geopolitical events, economic instability, and the COVID-19 global pandemic. Recent global events demonstrate how quickly market dynamics can shift and lead to significant impacts on margin requirements.

During the pandemic, we witnessed unprecedented spikes in margin call volumes. Research published in the Journal of Financial Markets refers to the period as “some of the largest — and fastest dislocations in history.”¹ The publication highlights sharp increases in margin requirements, with some instances exceeding 300%, while equity markets fell by 30-40%.

More recently, the Russia-Ukraine conflict caused dramatic fluctuations in energy markets, necessitating daily margin simulations for some firms. The margin squeeze caused by acute increases in energy and food prices further underscored the demand for thoughtful risk management practices.

As new events arise, the ability to quickly and accurately assess margin needs can make a big difference in maintaining financial stability. Just recently, China’s launch of its AI tool, DeepSeek, caused a sell-off for techs stocks and put investment firms over-levered in technology plays up against unexpected margins calls.

Counterparty risk has also come to the forefront. In times of market stress, counterparties may be forced to reassess their credit extension policies, potentially leaving firms scrambling to meet new margin requirements. The 2008 financial crisis serves as a stark reminder of how quickly market conditions can deteriorate and create a domino effect of forced liquidations and market inefficiencies.

The role of margin management

Vetted risk management practices can help managers identify the cash flows needed to meet potential margin calls. Margin replication, the process of replicating portfolios or cash flows to meet margin requirements, is a financial lever designed to bring efficiency to the investment process, optimize costs, and right-size data. Margin simulation is another financial tool at an investment manager’s disposal that allows them to forecast margin requirements based on different market scenarios. By replicating the margin calculations their clearinghouses use, firms can better understand, prepare for, and anticipate margin changes — an element that allows investment managers to make more strategic investment decisions.

By regularly monitoring and adjusting margin requirements, firms ease the risk of default and boost the stability of their trading relationships. This is particularly important in the current financial landscape, where the increased use of derivatives and complex financial products has made counterparty risk a major concern.²

Effective margin management also helps firms maintain adequate levels of liquidity. Setting appropriate margin levels help firms understand if they have enough cash and assets on hand to meet obligations and cover potential losses, as sudden price movements can result in large margin calls that could strain a firm's liquidity. Institutions with the right tools in place are in a stronger position to quickly create liquidity and fair better in times of extreme volatility, as they can quickly sell assets or pledge their assets as collateral when margin calls rise.

By closely monitoring margins and adjusting them as needed, firms are in a position of strength to:

Improve counterparty oversight: Counterparty oversight helps keep brokers accountable, ensuring they utilize capital as agreed. This transparency is crucial for maintaining trust and ensuring all parties adhere to their commitments.
Enhance capital attribution: Accurately calculate the cost of capital for each portfolio manager for more informed decision-making. A granular understanding of capital costs also supports better resource allocation and strategic planning.
Strategically expand their portfolio: Accurate margin forecasting provides crucial insights into the true costs of trading. This foresight is invaluable for making informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to manage risk.
Encourage scenario planning: Simulating market scenarios can help you prepare for potential market-moving events, even if they don't materialize.

Why firms are delaying tech modernization

While margin replication and simulation tools offer substantial benefits in managing risk and optimizing capital, many firms are hesitant to fully leverage or even implement the tools. Why? Implementation complexities, a lack of understanding of their full potential, cost considerations, legacy systems, and concerns about data accuracy and model validation all raise questions and doubts. For some, the expected effort to integrate these tools can sometimes outweigh the perceived benefits, particularly for firms with less sophisticated risk management practices.

But let’s look at what could happen without modernized tools. Say a hedge fund receives a margin call from their brokerage firm. The fund must deposit additional cash into their account to meet the higher capital requirements — a stressful and time-sensitive situation. Traditional risk management tools, such as value-at-risk or stress testing, have long helped to assess the potential impact of the margin call. But the tools may not be able to provide an accurate, real-time picture of the fund’s risk exposure. And with so many examples of extreme market volatility in recent years, a full set of tools to optimize margin and manage liquidity requirements and a cadre of professionals to support those ambitions is now a must-have.

Here’s why you shouldn’t delay implementing advanced tools to mitigate margin volatility

Modern margin replication tools offer powerful capabilities to manage market volatility.

Gain a unified "house view" on margin

A unified approach to margin management gives firms a single source of truth for margin calculations to ensure all departments are working with the same information, an element crucial to avoiding costly errors, missteps, and penalties. A unified margin view also ensures that all parts of your organization are aligned in their understanding of capital utilization and risk exposure.

Conduct real-time simulations

Simulate the capital impact of various market scenarios for a clear picture of potential risks and opportunities. Real-time data ensures you make decisions based on the most current information. A holistic approach allows firms to identify and address potential risks before they become major issues, enhancing overall financial stability.

Generate alternative solutions

In volatile markets, the ability to quickly model alternative strategies or positions can be the difference between success and failure. Advanced tools provide the flexibility to explore multiple scenarios, allowing firms to identify the most optimal paths forward.

Be proactive in decision-making

Avoid waiting on counterparties or being caught off-guard by sudden market swings and gain the ability to make timely adjustments to your strategies. With greater transparency into movements that can happen so quickly, front-office teams gain the information they need to better control cash.

The future of margin management

As market volatility continues to challenge investment firms, the value of managing funding sources, optimizing cash, unifying data, and overseeing counterparty exposure will continue to stand out. Sophisticated tools to replicate margin requirements or simulate margin capabilities can help you weather what can feel like an unexpected storm and still continue to identify opportunities for growth and optimization. A unified "house view" of margin serves as the foundation for this approach, reinforcing decision-making and confidence in even the most turbulent market conditions.

The ability to effectively manage margin requirements is critical. Margin replication tools provide the necessary insights and flexibility to thrive during periods of market volatility, ensuring your firm is prepared to maintain financial stability and capitalize on new opportunities. In an environment where market conditions can shift on a dime — or say a major geopolitical event or unexpected global health crisis — these tools are not just a luxury — they are a necessity.

Sources:

1. Contagious margin calls: How COVID-19 threatened global stock market liquidity, Journal of Financial Markets, June 2022.

2. Moving from crisis to reform: Examining the state of counterparty credit risk, McKinsey, October 27, 2023.

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Jordyn Greenblatt