The Capital Market Authority (CMA), Saudi Arabia’s market regulator, has raised the minimum ratio required to cover margin calls to 34% of the transaction’s total value, from the previous 25%. The initial margin requirement, which enables clients to open margin accounts, will also be raised 50 percent as of Feb. 2017, the CMA added in a statement issued on Thursday. From August 2016, margin trades will be banned on listed companies whose accumulated losses exceed 50% of capital. The Saudi market watchdog clarified that the new measures aim to minimise the risks of trading in securities. (Argaam)