Concentration is part of the calculation as well. Schwab uses proprietary logic to make this calculation. The two main terms used in this calculation include:
- Expected Price Range (EPR): The firm's estimate of the maximum expected one-day price range for a given underlying security.
- Point of No Return (PNR): Percentage move in an underlying price in which an account will lose 100% of its equity (Net liquidation value = $0). Beyond this point, the account will become unsecured. PNR does not include equity in a futures account or cross-product correlations.
If the PNR is outside of the EPR, then the risk array will generally default to the Theoretical Intermarket Margining system (TIMS) minimum margin percentage. This applies to both up and down movement. For example, if upside PNR is 60% and EPR is 50%, then margin will generally default to TIMS. Similarly, if downside PNR is –50% and downside EPR is –30%, then margin will generally default to TIMS.
Under the TIMS methodology, equity positions are generally stressed at plus or minus 15%.
If PNRs are outside of the EPR, then the house risk array is used, generally with TIMS percentages. Now, if the converse occurs, that is, when the PNR is inside the EPR range, then a risk concentration exists, and action is taken in real time to increase the portfolio margin requirement. When concentration exists, the margin requirement will be set to the EPR. For example, if upside PNR is 30% and upside EPR is 40%, then the margin requirement will use 40% EPR to calculate the risk array even if the TIMS minimum may be 15%.
The thinkorswim® platform includes PNR and EPR in the Explain Margin window for both portfolio margin and Reg T accounts. The risk arrays used for portfolio margin requirements may also be raised due to low liquidity and market events. The table below displays the PNR and EPR used in a portfolio margin calculation.