Distress sale

Distress sale

The selling of assets under adverse conditions, e.g., an investor may have to sell securities to cover a margin call.

Distress Sale

A rapid, urgent sale of assets, often at a loss. Distressed sales often occur when cash is needed to cover immediate needs or debts. They are also associated with margin calls. A common example of a distressed sale is the rapid sale of real estate when the owner can no longer make the mortgage payments; he/she must sell the property immediately to pay off the mortgage, even if it involves losing money on the property. See also: Distressed securities.