Financing debt rises to $1.53 trillion, U.S. investors increase leverage to chase highs

Odaily Odaily reports that crypto KOL Phyrex posted on platform X, stating that U.S. investors are pursuing stock market highs with increasingly high leverage. As of June, the net credit balance of U.S. brokerage accounts fell by approximately $70 billion in a single month to a negative $1.061 trillion, hitting a record low. During the same period, margin debt increased by about $86 billion to $1.53 trillion, rising for the third consecutive month and setting a new record.

Phyrex pointed out that the continuous deterioration of the net credit balance indicates that investors' cash buffers are shrinking, and their dependence on borrowing to maintain stock positions is increasing. Currently, leverage in the U.S. market is widespread across the entire brokerage system. During an uptrend, rising stock prices increase account net worth, which can further release margin capacity, creating mechanical buying pressure. However, once the market weakens, margin pressure may force investors to add cash or sell stocks, turning the leveraging capital that previously fueled the rally into mechanical selling pressure. Phyrex believes that the U.S. stock market is currently facing both high valuation and high leverage conditions. If the influx of new funds slows down, leveraged positions could further amplify market volatility.