What is Foreign Exchange?
The Foreign Exchange market, also referred to as the "Forex" market, is the most traded financial market in the world, with a daily average turnover of approximately US$3.2 trillion. Foreign Exchange is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. The world's currencies are on a floating exchange rate and are always traded in pairs, for example Euro/Dollar or Dollar/Yen.
FX Trading is not centralized on an exchange, as with the stock and futures markets. The FX market is considered an Over the Counter (OTC) or 'Interbank' market, due to the fact that transactions are conducted between two counterparts over the telephone or via an electronic network.
FX Trading is not centralized on an exchange, as with the stock and futures markets. The FX market is considered an Over the Counter (OTC) or 'Interbank' market, due to the fact that transactions are conducted between two counterparts over the telephone or via an electronic network.
The Forex market is called an 'Interbank' market due to the fact that historically it has been dominated by banks, including central banks, commercial banks, and investment banks. However, the percentage of other market participants is rapidly growing, and now includes large multinational corporations, global money managers, registered dealers, international money brokers, futures and options traders, and individual investors.
The Forex market is called an 'Interbank' market due to the fact that historically it has been dominated by banks, including central banks, commercial banks, and investment banks. However, the percentage of other market participants is rapidly growing, and now includes large multinational corporations, global money managers, registered dealers, international money brokers, futures and options traders, and individual investors.
When is the FX market open for trading?
A true 24-hour market from Sunday 5:00 PM ET to Friday 5:00 PM ET, Forex trading begins each day in
A true 24-hour market from Sunday 5:00 PM ET to Friday 5:00 PM ET, Forex trading begins each day in
What are the most commonly traded currencies in the FX markets?
The most often traded or 'liquid' currencies are those of countries with stable governments, respected central banks, and low inflation. Today, over 85% of all daily transactions involve trading of the major currencies, which include the US Dollar (USD) , Japanese Yen (JPY) , Euro (EUR) , British Pound (GBP), Swiss Franc (CHF) , Canadian Dollar (CAD) and the Australian Dollar (AUD).
The most often traded or 'liquid' currencies are those of countries with stable governments, respected central banks, and low inflation. Today, over 85% of all daily transactions involve trading of the major currencies, which include the US Dollar (USD) , Japanese Yen (JPY) , Euro (EUR) , British Pound (GBP), Swiss Franc (CHF) , Canadian Dollar (CAD) and the Australian Dollar (AUD).
Margin is essentially collateral for a position. It allows traders to take on leveraged positions with a fraction of the equity necessary to fund the trade. In the equity markets, the usual margin allowed is 50% which means an investor has double the buying power. In the forex market leverage ranges from 1% to 2%, giving investors the high leverage needed to trade actively. Of course, trading on margin can increase your risk.
Margin is essentially collateral for a position. It allows traders to take on leveraged positions with a fraction of the equity necessary to fund the trade. In the equity markets, the usual margin allowed is 50% which means an investor has double the buying power. In the forex market leverage ranges from 1% to 2%, giving investors the high leverage needed to trade actively. Of course, trading on margin can increase your risk.
In trading parlance, a long position is one in which a trader buys a currency at one price and aims to sell it later at a higher price. In this scenario, the trader benefits from a rising market. A short position is one in which the trader sells a currency in anticipation that it will depreciate. In this scenario, the trader benefits from a declining market. However, it is important to remember that every FX position requires an trader to go long in one currency and short the other.
In trading parlance, a long position is one in which a trader buys a currency at one price and aims to sell it later at a higher price. In this scenario, the trader benefits from a rising market. A short position is one in which the trader sells a currency in anticipation that it will depreciate. In this scenario, the trader benefits from a declining market. However, it is important to remember that every FX position requires an trader to go long in one currency and short the other.
How are currency prices determined?
Currency prices are affected by a variety of economic and political conditions, most importantly interest rates, inflation and political stability. Moreover, governments sometimes participate in the Forex market to influence the value of their currencies, either by flooding the market with their domestic currency in an attempt to lower the price, or conversely buying in order to raise the price. This is known as Central Bank intervention. Any of these factors, as well as large market orders, can cause high volatility in currency prices. However, the size and volume of the Forex market makes it virtually impossible for any one entity to "drive" the market for any length of time.
Currency prices are affected by a variety of economic and political conditions, most importantly interest rates, inflation and political stability. Moreover, governments sometimes participate in the Forex market to influence the value of their currencies, either by flooding the market with their domestic currency in an attempt to lower the price, or conversely buying in order to raise the price. This is known as Central Bank intervention. Any of these factors, as well as large market orders, can cause high volatility in currency prices. However, the size and volume of the Forex market makes it virtually impossible for any one entity to "drive" the market for any length of time.
How do I manage risk?
The most common risk management tools in FX trading are the limit order and the stop loss order. A limit order places restriction on the maximum price to be paid or the minimum price to be received. A stop loss order ensures a particular position is automatically liquidated at a predetermined price in order to limit potential losses should the market move against a trader's position. Contingent orders may not necessarily limit your risk for losses.
The most common risk management tools in FX trading are the limit order and the stop loss order. A limit order places restriction on the maximum price to be paid or the minimum price to be received. A stop loss order ensures a particular position is automatically liquidated at a predetermined price in order to limit potential losses should the market move against a trader's position. Contingent orders may not necessarily limit your risk for losses.
What kind of trading strategy should I use?
Currency traders make decisions using both technical factors and economic fundamentals. Technical traders use charts, trend lines, support and resistance levels, and numerous patterns and mathematical analyses to identify trading opportunities, whereas fundamentalists predict price movements by interpreting a wide variety of economic information, including news, government-issued indicators and reports, and even rumor. The most dramatic price movements however, occur when unexpected events happen. The event can range from a Central Bank raising domestic interest rates to the outcome of a political election or even an act of war. Nonetheless, more often it is the expectation of an event that drives the market rather than the event itself.
Currency traders make decisions using both technical factors and economic fundamentals. Technical traders use charts, trend lines, support and resistance levels, and numerous patterns and mathematical analyses to identify trading opportunities, whereas fundamentalists predict price movements by interpreting a wide variety of economic information, including news, government-issued indicators and reports, and even rumor. The most dramatic price movements however, occur when unexpected events happen. The event can range from a Central Bank raising domestic interest rates to the outcome of a political election or even an act of war. Nonetheless, more often it is the expectation of an event that drives the market rather than the event itself.
10 % make money, and 90% lose money!
Why? The 90% who enter the market are driven by emotions such as greed and fear. They lack a sound equity management plan and know very little about the techniques of trading. The fact is they are lacking adequate and proper education for the task at hand.
Where money is involved so are emotions. Many people are quite knowledgeable about trading but can't handle the emotions. Your emotions will be your biggest obstacle to successful trading. Not the techniques. To be a successful trader you cannot trade emotionally. You must trade logically. Our egos drive us to be successful 100% of the time, but in reality no one is successful 100% of the time. Not even the professionals. Successful professional traders clearly understand the market is about logic, not emotions. They trade logically, not emotionally and they are the 10% who trade successfully all the time!
Where is the central location of the FX Market?
What is Margin?
What does it mean have a 'long' or 'short' position?
I’m interested in spot forex trading, but would like some additional information?
In the forex market section you can find and do practical understanding of forex trading, there is no better way than to open a demo account, where you can experience what it's like to trade the forex market without risking any capital
What percent of people really earn money on the FOREX?
Why do Professional Traders earn so much money?
Most Professional Traders are part of the 10% earning money. The 10% earning money actually receive the 90% money that is lost . If the 90% are paying the 10%, you can easily figure out that the 10% are being paid quite handsomely.
Can I become a successful Professional Trader?
Absolutely! Trading is a profession that most anyone can learn. However, it doesn't happen over night or in a few weeks. You must go through the same processes of education and mentoring that all professionals go through. Generally, we are becoming conditioned by numerous national ads into believing that trading is simple. If it is that easy why do we hear the horror stories about day traders? Why do 90% of people lose on the FOREX?
What do emotions have to do with It?