Maximum leverage on stocks allowed by the SEC is (I think) 4 to 1. Just take a look at changes in share prices for S&P stocks on even a day like today where the market ended just a shade off. Plenty of stocks were off 1 to 2% making margin levels anything like currencies to be dangerous. Currency trading with high margins can be equally disasterous but at least the market operates 24 hours x 5 days a week so stop losses can be used to limit losses.