Base currency:The base currency is the first currency in a currency pair, and the currency that remains constant when determining a currency pair's price. The United States Dollar (USD) and the European Union Euro(EUR) are the dominant base currencies in terms of daily traded volume in the foreign exchange market. The British Pound (GBP), also called sterling or cable, is the third ranking base currency. The USD based pairs are USD/JPY, USD/CHF and USD/CAD; the Euro based pairs are EUR/USD, EUR/JPY, EUR/GBP, and EUR/CHF. The GBP is the base for GBP/USD and GBP/JPY. The Australian Dollar (AUD) is its own base against the USD (AUD/USD).
Basis: The difference between the spot price and the futures price.
Basis point: One hundredth of a percentage point.
Bid /Ask Spread: The difference between the bid and offer (ask) prices; also known as a two-way price.
Cable: Trader term for the British Pound Sterling referring to the Sterling/US Dollar exchange rate. Term began due to the fact that the rate was originally transmitted via a transatlantic cable starting in the mid 1800's.
Central bank: The principal monetary authority of a nation, controlled by the national government. It is responsible for issuing currency, setting monetary policy, interest rates, exchange rate policy and the regulation and supervision of the private banking sector. The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States. Others include the European Central Bank, Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan.
Conversion: The process by which an asset or liability denominated in one currency is exchanged for an asset or liability denominated in another currency.
Cross rates: An exchange rate between two currencies. The cross rate is said to be non-standard in the country where the currency pair is quoted. For example, in the US , a GBP/CHF quote would be considered a cross rate, whereas in the UK or Switzerland it would be one of the primary currency pairs traded.
Currency: A country's unit of exchange issued by their government or central bank whose value is the basis for trade.
Currency (exchange rate) risk: The risk of incurring losses resulting from an adverse change in exchange rates.
Devaluation: Lowering of the value of a country's currency relative to the currencies of other nations. When a nation devalues its currency, the goods it imports become more expensive, while its exports become less expensive abroad and thus more competitive.
Drawdown: The magnitude of a decline in account value, either in percentage or dollar terms, as measured from peak to subsequent trough. For example, if a trader's account increased in value from $10,000 to $20,000, then dropped to $15,000, then increased again to $25,000, that trader would have had a maximum drawdown of $5000 (incurred when the account declined from $20,000 to $15,000) even though that trader's account was never in a loss position from inception.
End of day (mark to market): Mark-to-market values a trader's open position at the end of each working day using the closing market rates or revaluation rates. Generally the revaluation rates are market rates at 5pm EST time. Any profit or loss is booked and the trader will start the next day with the position valued at the prior day's closing rate.
Euro: The currency of the European Monetary Union (EMU), which replaced the European Currency Unit (ECU). The countries currently participating in the EMU are Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Spain.
Exchange rate: The price of one currency stated in terms of another currency. Example: $1 Canadian Dollar (CDN) = $0.7700 US Dollar (USD)
Fixed exchange rate: A country's decision to tie the value of its currency to another country's currency, gold (or another commodity) , or a basket of currencies . In practice, even fixed exchange rates fluctuate between definite upper and lower bands, leading to intervention.
Foreign exchange (Forex): The simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another in an over-the-counter market.
G-7: The seven leading industrial countries, being the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Britain, Canada, and Italy.
G-10: G7 plus Belgium , Netherlands and Sweden , a group associated with the IMF discussions. Switzerland is sometimes involved.
G-20: A group composed of the Finance Ministers and central bankers of the following 20 countries: Argentina , Australia , Brazil , Canada , China , France , Germany , India , Indonesia , Italy , Japan , Mexico , Russia , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , South Korea , Turkey , the United Kingdom , the United States and the European Union. The IMF and the World Bank also participate. The G-20 was set up to respond to the financial turmoil of 1997-99 through the development of policies that “promote international financial stability”.
Hedge fund: A private, unregulated investment fund for wealthy investors (minimum investments typically begin at US$1 million) specializing in high risk, short-term speculation on bonds, currencies, stock options and derivatives.
Hedging: A strategy designed to reduce investment risk. Its purpose is to reduce the volatility of a portfolio by investing in alternative instruments that offset the risk in the primary portfolio.
London Inter-Bank Offer Rate or LIBOR: The standard for the interest rate that banks charge each other for loans (usually in Eurodollars ). This rate is applicable to the short-term international interbank deposit market, and applies to very large loans borrowed from one day to five years. This market allows banks with liquidity requirements to borrow quickly from other banks with surpluses, enabling banks to avoid holding excessively large amounts of their asset base as liquid assets. The LIBOR is officially fixed once a day by a small group of large London banks, but the rate changes throughout the day.
Leverage: The degree to which an investor or business is utilizing borrowed money. The amount, expressed as a multiple, by which the notional amount traded exceeds the margin required to trade. For example, if the notional amount traded is $100,000 dollars and the required margin is $2000, the trader can trade with 50 times leverage ($100,000/$2000). For investors, leverage means buying on margin to enhance return on value without increasing investment. Leveraged investing can be extremely risky because you can lose not only your money, but the money you borrowed as well.
Liquidity: The ability of a market to accept large transactions. A function of volume and activity in a market. It is the efficiency and cost effectiveness with which positions can be traded and orders executed. A more liquid market will provide more frequent price quotes at a smaller bid/ask spread.
Long: A position purchasing a particular currency against another currency, anticipating that the value of the purchased currency will appreciate against the second currency.
Margin: Funds that customers must deposit as collateral to cover any potential losses from adverse movements in prices.
Margin Call: A requirement for additional funds or other collateral, from a broker or dealer, to increase margin to a necessary level to guarantee performance on a position that has moved against the customer.
Market Maker: A dealer that supplies prices, and is prepared to buy and sell at those bid and ask prices. All CFTC registered FCMs are market makers.
Pip (tick): The term used in currency markets to represent the smallest incremental move an exchange rate can make. Depending on context, normally one basis point (0.0001 in the case of EUR/USD, GBD/USD, USD/CHF and .01 in the case of USD/JPY).
Position: A view expressed by a trader through the buying or selling of currencies, and can also refer to the amount of currency either owned or owed by an investor.
Premium (cost of carry): The cost or benefit associated with carrying an open position from one day to the next calculated by using the differential in short-term interest rates between the two currencies in the currency pair.
Revaluation: An increase in the foreign exchange value of a currency that is pegged to other currencies or gold.
Revaluation rates: The rate for any period or currency, which is used to revalue a position or book. The revaluation rates are the market rates used when a trader runs an end-of-day to establish profit and loss for the day.
Rollover: The settlement of a deal is rolled forward to another value date with the cost of this process based on the interest rate differential of the two currencies. An overnight swap, specifically the next business day against the following business day.
Short: To sell a currency without actually owning it, and to hold a short position with expectations that the price will decrease so that it can be bought back at a later time at a profit.
Spread: The difference between the bid and offer (ask) prices of a currency; used to measure market liquidity. Narrower spreads usually signify high liquidity.
Spot Price: Current market price. Settlement of spot transactions normally occurs within two business days.
Swaps: A foreign exchange swap is a trade that combines both a spot and a forward transaction into one deal, or two forward trades with different maturity dates.
Uptick: A new price quote that is higher than the preceding quote for the same currency
Types of Foreign Exchange Orders
Types of Foreign Exchange Orders
Entry Orders: An order, stop or limit, initiating an open position and executed when a specific price level is reached and/or broken. The execution is handled by the dealing desk and the order is in effect until cancelled by the client.
Entry Limit Orders: An order initiating an open position to sell as the market rises, or buy as the market falls. The client believes the market will reverse direction at the level of the order.
Entry Stop Orders: An order initiating an open position to sell as the market falls, or buy as the market rises. The client placing the order believes that prices will continue to move in the same direction as the previous momentum after hitting the order level.
Limit Orders: A limit order is an order tied to a specific position for the purpose of locking in the gains from that position. A limit entry order placed on a buy position is an order to sell. A limit order placed on a sell position is an order to buy. A limit order remains in effect until the position is liquidated or cancelled by the client.
Market Order: An order to buy or sell which is to be filled immediately at the prevailing currency price.
OCO (One Cancels the Other): A stop-loss order and a limit order linked to a specific position. One order, the stop, is to prevent additional loss on the position, and one order, the limit is to take profit on the position. When either order is executed, closing the position, the other is automatically cancelled.
Stop-Loss Orders: An order linked to a specific position to close that position and prevent additional losses. A stop-loss order placed on a buy position is an order to sell that position. A stop-loss order on a sell position is an order to buy that position. A stop-loss order remains in effect until the position is liquidated or cancelled by the client.
Entry Limit Orders: An order initiating an open position to sell as the market rises, or buy as the market falls. The client believes the market will reverse direction at the level of the order.
Entry Stop Orders: An order initiating an open position to sell as the market falls, or buy as the market rises. The client placing the order believes that prices will continue to move in the same direction as the previous momentum after hitting the order level.
Limit Orders: A limit order is an order tied to a specific position for the purpose of locking in the gains from that position. A limit entry order placed on a buy position is an order to sell. A limit order placed on a sell position is an order to buy. A limit order remains in effect until the position is liquidated or cancelled by the client.
Market Order: An order to buy or sell which is to be filled immediately at the prevailing currency price.
OCO (One Cancels the Other): A stop-loss order and a limit order linked to a specific position. One order, the stop, is to prevent additional loss on the position, and one order, the limit is to take profit on the position. When either order is executed, closing the position, the other is automatically cancelled.
Stop-Loss Orders: An order linked to a specific position to close that position and prevent additional losses. A stop-loss order placed on a buy position is an order to sell that position. A stop-loss order on a sell position is an order to buy that position. A stop-loss order remains in effect until the position is liquidated or cancelled by the client.
Forex Calculation
Forex Calculation
Although the trading platform automatically does the profit and loss calculation for you in real time, it is important to understand how these equations are derived. Equations for calculating major currency pairs:
The equation for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and AUD/USD [direct currency pairs] is as follows:
P / L = ( closing rate - opening rate ) x lot size x number of lots
The equation for USD/JPY, USD/CHF and USD/CAD [indirect currency pairs] is as follows:
P / L = ( closing rate - opening rate ) / closing rate x lot size x number of lots
In a 100,000 units/contract size account, 1 pip results $10 profit/loss in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, approximately $9 in USD/JPY, and $8 in USD/CHF.
In a 10,000 units/contract size account, 1 pip results $1 profit/loss in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, approximately $0.9 in USD/JPY, and $0.8 in USD/CHF.
NOTE: Buy = Long = Ask = Offer ; Sell = Short = Bid
Calculation Example:
The current bid/ask price for EUR/USD is 1.2322/1.2325, meaning to purchase every unit of Euro, you need 1.2325 units of U.S. dollar or sell every unit of Euro, you need 1.2322 units of U.S. dollar.
Let's assume that you decide the Euro is undervalued against U.S. dollar. To profit from your strategy, you would buy Euro (sell dollar) at 1.2325. Thus when the price of Euro rises, you would sell Euro (purchase U.S. dollar) for a profit.
You bought 100,000 units of Euro at 1.2325.
Some time later, EUR/USD price is at 1.2355/1.2358 just like you expected. So you decide to sell Euro (puchase U.S. dollar) or close your position for a profit.
In this senario, your profit is 1.2355 - 1.2325 = 30 pips.
Equation:
( 1.2355 [ closing rate ] - 1.2325 [ opening rate ] ) x 100,000 [ unit / lot ] x 1 [ lot ] = $300 [ profit ]
What is Pip/Point?
Pip (or point) is the term used in currency market to represent the smallest incremental move an exchange rate can make. Depending on context, normally one basis point (0.0001 in the case of EUR/USD, GBD/USD, USD/CHF and .01 in the case of USD/JPY).
What is Lot Size ?
Lot or Contract is the standard unit of trading on certain exchanges. For example : 10000 (mini account) or 100000 (standard account)
The equation for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and AUD/USD [direct currency pairs] is as follows:
P / L = ( closing rate - opening rate ) x lot size x number of lots
The equation for USD/JPY, USD/CHF and USD/CAD [indirect currency pairs] is as follows:
P / L = ( closing rate - opening rate ) / closing rate x lot size x number of lots
In a 100,000 units/contract size account, 1 pip results $10 profit/loss in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, approximately $9 in USD/JPY, and $8 in USD/CHF.
In a 10,000 units/contract size account, 1 pip results $1 profit/loss in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, approximately $0.9 in USD/JPY, and $0.8 in USD/CHF.
NOTE: Buy = Long = Ask = Offer ; Sell = Short = Bid
Calculation Example:
The current bid/ask price for EUR/USD is 1.2322/1.2325, meaning to purchase every unit of Euro, you need 1.2325 units of U.S. dollar or sell every unit of Euro, you need 1.2322 units of U.S. dollar.
Let's assume that you decide the Euro is undervalued against U.S. dollar. To profit from your strategy, you would buy Euro (sell dollar) at 1.2325. Thus when the price of Euro rises, you would sell Euro (purchase U.S. dollar) for a profit.
You bought 100,000 units of Euro at 1.2325.
Some time later, EUR/USD price is at 1.2355/1.2358 just like you expected. So you decide to sell Euro (puchase U.S. dollar) or close your position for a profit.
In this senario, your profit is 1.2355 - 1.2325 = 30 pips.
Equation:
( 1.2355 [ closing rate ] - 1.2325 [ opening rate ] ) x 100,000 [ unit / lot ] x 1 [ lot ] = $300 [ profit ]
What is Pip/Point?
Pip (or point) is the term used in currency market to represent the smallest incremental move an exchange rate can make. Depending on context, normally one basis point (0.0001 in the case of EUR/USD, GBD/USD, USD/CHF and .01 in the case of USD/JPY).
What is Lot Size ?
Lot or Contract is the standard unit of trading on certain exchanges. For example : 10000 (mini account) or 100000 (standard account)
Utilizing Stop Loss Order
Utilizing Stop Loss Order
A stop-loss is an order linked to a specific position for the purpose of closing that position and preventing the position from accruing additional losses. A stop-loss order placed on a Buy (or Long) position is a stop-loss order to Sell and close that position. A stop-loss order placed on a Sell (or Short) position is a stop-loss order to Buy and close that position. A stop-loss order remains in effect until the position is liquidated or the client cancels the stop-loss order. As an example, if an investor is Long (Buy) USD at 120.27, they might wish to put in a stop-loss order to Sell at 119.49, which would limit the loss on the position to the difference between the two rates (120.27-119.49) should the dollar depreciate below 119.49. A stop-loss would not be executed and the position would remain open until the market trades at the stop-loss level. Stop-loss orders are an essential tool for controlling your risk in currency trading.
Risk Management
Risk Management
The Forex Market is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world. Since macroeconomic forces are one of the main drivers of the value of currencies in the global economy, currencies tend to have the most identifiable trend patterns. Therefore, the Forex market is a very attractive market for active traders, and presumably where they should be the most successful. However, success has been limited mainly for the following reasons:
Many traders come with false expectations of the profit potential, and lack the discipline required for trading. Short term trading is not an amateur's game and is not the way most people will achieve quick riches. Simply because Forex trading may seem exotic or less familiar then traditional markets (i.e. equities, futures, etc.), it does not mean that the rules of finance and simple logic are suspended. One cannot hope to make extraordinary gains without taking extraordinary risks, and that means suffering inconsistent trading performance that often leads to large losses. Trading currencies is not easy, and many traders with years of experience still incur periodic losses. One must realize that trading takes time to master and there are absolutely no short cuts to this process.
The most enticing aspect of trading Forex is the high degree of leverage used. Leverage seems very attractive to those who are expecting to turn small amounts of money into large amounts in a short period of time. However, leverage is a double-edged sword. Just because one lot ($10,000) of currency only requires $100 as a minimum margin deposit, it does not mean that a trader with $1,000 in his account should be easily able to trade 10 lots. One lot is $10,000 and should be treated as a $100,000 investment and not the $1000 put up as margin. Most traders analyze the charts correctly and place sensible trades, yet they tend to over leverage themselves (get in with a position that is too big for their portfolio), and as a consequence, often end up forced to exit a position at the wrong time.
For example, if your account value is $10,000 and you place a trade for 1 lot, you are in effect, leveraging yourself 10 to 1, which is a very significant level of leverage. Most professional money managers will leverage no more then 3 or 4 times. Trading in small increments with protective stops on your positions will allow one the opportunity to be successful in Forex trading.
Many traders come with false expectations of the profit potential, and lack the discipline required for trading. Short term trading is not an amateur's game and is not the way most people will achieve quick riches. Simply because Forex trading may seem exotic or less familiar then traditional markets (i.e. equities, futures, etc.), it does not mean that the rules of finance and simple logic are suspended. One cannot hope to make extraordinary gains without taking extraordinary risks, and that means suffering inconsistent trading performance that often leads to large losses. Trading currencies is not easy, and many traders with years of experience still incur periodic losses. One must realize that trading takes time to master and there are absolutely no short cuts to this process.
The most enticing aspect of trading Forex is the high degree of leverage used. Leverage seems very attractive to those who are expecting to turn small amounts of money into large amounts in a short period of time. However, leverage is a double-edged sword. Just because one lot ($10,000) of currency only requires $100 as a minimum margin deposit, it does not mean that a trader with $1,000 in his account should be easily able to trade 10 lots. One lot is $10,000 and should be treated as a $100,000 investment and not the $1000 put up as margin. Most traders analyze the charts correctly and place sensible trades, yet they tend to over leverage themselves (get in with a position that is too big for their portfolio), and as a consequence, often end up forced to exit a position at the wrong time.
For example, if your account value is $10,000 and you place a trade for 1 lot, you are in effect, leveraging yourself 10 to 1, which is a very significant level of leverage. Most professional money managers will leverage no more then 3 or 4 times. Trading in small increments with protective stops on your positions will allow one the opportunity to be successful in Forex trading.
Risk Warning
Risk Warning
Trading foreign currencies is a challenging and potentially profitable opportunity for educated and experienced investors. However, before deciding to participate in the Forex market, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. Most importantly, do not invest money you cannot afford to lose.
There is considerable exposure to risk in any foreign exchange transaction. Any transaction involving currencies involves risks including, but not limited to, the potential for changing political and/or economic conditions that may substantially affect the price or liquidity of a currency. Moreover, the leveraged nature of FX trading means that any market movement will have an effect on your deposited funds proportionally equal to the leverage factor. This may work against you as well as for you. The possibility exists that you could sustain a total loss of initial margin funds and be required to deposit additional funds to maintain your position. If you fail to meet any margin call within the time prescribed, your position will be liquidated and you will be responsible for any resulting losses. Investors may lower their exposure to risk by employing risk-reducing strategies such as 'stop-loss' or 'limit' orders.
There are also risks associated with utilizing an internet-based deal execution software application including, but not limited, to the failure of hardware and software and communications difficulties.
Trading foreign currencies is a challenging and potentially profitable opportunity for educated and experienced investors. However, before deciding to participate in the Forex market, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. Most importantly, do not invest money you cannot afford to lose.
There is considerable exposure to risk in any foreign exchange transaction. Any transaction involving currencies involves risks including, but not limited to, the potential for changing political and/or economic conditions that may substantially affect the price or liquidity of a currency. Moreover, the leveraged nature of FX trading means that any market movement will have an effect on your deposited funds proportionally equal to the leverage factor. This may work against you as well as for you. The possibility exists that you could sustain a total loss of initial margin funds and be required to deposit additional funds to maintain your position. If you fail to meet any margin call within the time prescribed, your position will be liquidated and you will be responsible for any resulting losses. Investors may lower their exposure to risk by employing risk-reducing strategies such as 'stop-loss' or 'limit' orders.
There are also risks associated with utilizing an internet-based deal execution software application including, but not limited, to the failure of hardware and software and communications difficulties.
How does a faulty Forex dealer cheat your money?
Forex market is a non-centralized market. There is no common market place for Forex traders and there is no so-call ‘standard’ in foreign currency exchange price. Different Forex dealers offer very different deals to their customers.
As an individual FX trader, you depends solely on the dealer to make a transaction in your trades, thus picking up the right dealer is extremely crucial in your risk.
You may wonder how does a faulty dealer can cheat on your money as all investment call have to go thru your decisions.
Well, here's a typical example:
Often a bad dealer is not totally scams.
They are smart persons that trick money from traders that are not well-aware. These dealers, often known as retail market makers, will often encourage their clients to trade on margin and set stop loss orders, which allow the market makers to close out trades almost at will during busy markets at prices they have set. If the market maker does not offset the trader's position, the loss generated when a stop loss is triggered becomes the market maker's gain.
Trade prices are easily skewed one way or the other depending on the retail trader's position, which is known by the market maker.
Traders can be encouraged to take risky positions just before major economic announcements. If all else fails, the market maker can quote extreme prices (known as spiking) to trigger stop loss orders while the client is at work or asleep.
The vast majority of retail FX traders are not profitable. For those losing retail speculators, much of the funds they had on deposit will be, in some form or another, transferred to the market maker.
Pick the best Forex broker if you value your money!
As you can see, a stop loss order may not always on your side.
Be very clear on who you are dealing with in Forex trading to avoid being cheated. In case you are worry about your money being cheated by dishonest FX broker, why not check out our FX brokers recommendation section and pick a reliable broker yourself!
Understanding the risks in Forex trading
Forex: To trade, or not to trade? Many are reluctant to involve in Forex trading because of its ‘risks’. Generally speaking, there are risks everywhere in our life: Factories may malfunction, customer may not walk-in if you open a shop, stock market may crush, and if you are employed you may get fired during company downsizing. There are risks everywhere! The important issue here is how you learn and maintain your risk. So if you are considering participating in Forex market, you should learn managing the risk involved, instead of being terrified.
Picking up the right Forex dealer
One of the best methods to avoid unnecessary risks is avoid fraud dealer.
Forex is a special trading business with no centralized market. Thus, unlike regulated futures exchanges, there is no central market place for Forex buyers or sellers therefore the price offered by different Forex dealers may vary a lot. When you are trading in Forex market, you are totally relying on the dealer’s integrity for a fair deal.
Further more, you need to select a right Forex dealer to avoid scams. There may be Forex dealers that are not regulated legally and there maybe investment scams, especially on the Internet. Be very careful on who you are dealing with in Forex and always check cautiously on the investment offer.
Stop loss order
The Forex market could move against you. No one can predict with certainty which way exchange rates will go, and the Forex market is volatile. Fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate between the time you place the trade and the time you attempt to liquidate it will affect the price of your Forex contract and the potential profit and losses relating to it. To avoid losing all of your investment capital, you should have a pre-arrangement on your risk profile. A solid risk profile will limit the Forex dealer not to overtake risk that you cannot handle. For example, if you have 100,000 to invest, you can say that you are willing to risk 10,000 of that capital with the potential to gain another 100,000. This can be easily implemented by a fund manager, so your losses can be limited to 10% or 5% of invested capital.
Avoid too high margin trade
Another way to manage your risks well in Forex market is to trade without overleveraged. Forex dealers want you to trade with high leverage values as this means more spread income for them. Also, trading in high leverage may increase your profit or your losing. There are high possibilities that one lose money more than he or she can afford in margin trading.
Forex can be extraordinarily beneficial to a variety of people. It gives huge leverage rates, it gives incompatible liquidity to your money, it gives convenience to trade on the Internet, and it can definitely give you a lot of money if you trade smartly. Like any other trading business, if you are new to it, best advice you can get is to learn and practice more before you test your ‘wings’. Seminars, eBooks, Internet, papers, video courses – all these are handy to get yourself ready. You can also try out your skill on the demo account provided free. After all, Forex trades 24hours a day and there is always money to make in the market, so why not be patience until you are fully ready for it?
Diversification in Forex trading
Diversification is another way to manage risks in Forex market. Trading one currency pair will generate few entry signals. If you wish to lower your risk in Forex market, it would be better to diversify your trades between several currencies.
Try simultaneously trade on different pair of currency. Say you have capital of $1,000, instead of putting all your money to long EUR/USD, you can split the money half to long EUR/USD and GBD/USD ($500 each) as these two currencies are highly correlated and tends to move in the same directions.
Conclusion
Needless to say, knowledge is another key of handling your risks well. Before you get into Forex market, the best thing you should do is educate yourself. What drives currency price movement? How to read analysis data? How to read chart indicators? Learn detail about how currency price move and how to trade foreign currency exchange in order to avoid unnecessary risks.
You come to this article probably because of you are new to FOREX and were looking for some readings on the Internet. To be frank, Forex can be very profitable but the risk lie beneath is equally great. But what else in life does not involve risk? You can be fired from your job, factory may malfunctions, stock market may collapse, your boss may runaway with your wages, and hey! These are all risk. Learning in risk management is the key to handle your life.
Trade smartly, and gain the maximum out of Forex – good luck!
Training your Currency Trading skill for better exposure
What is your confident level in forex trading?
Have you weaponed yourself before register into the market? Here is a trading tips that you can follow. When you see the EUR/USD market trend move to a dip bottoms, check the trend history, place the order with stop & limit as ratio 1:4. If its losing, add a position to average the signals.
This will be a good chance for you to maximize for your potential profit. However, What we want you to"consider" is the trading technique. Do you notice that there's something goes wrong with the tips above? Look again, what will be the correct way.
If you were fooled by our trick and did not notice the wrong strategy, you are not weaponed yourself and you need this training. Even if you noted the problem, you must have some reason for having this book in your hands. Perhaps you have had evidence in the past that you do not trade welll. It may be that your brokers have told you that your strategy does not help you make profit.
Read more about Forex Currency Secret
Forex Trading is booming!
Currency Trading has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years as many investors are looking for ways to profit from the lucrative 1.5 trillion currency trading marketplace. And author/professional trader Peter Bain is the ideal authority to help you understand and profit from this complex marketplace. His Forex Course teaches the same system used by banks, financial institutions and professional Forex traders alike to trade currencies on the foreign exchange. For the first time, Peter's making his "Commercial Forex Trading" system available to the public in the form of a video currency trading course. Peter Bain’s video course is a complete trading solution. Let Peter will show you the trading techniques used by the commercial institutions and banks.
To involve in FOREX trading, you must similarly prime your mind to get ideas flowing. The various ideas in your mind are stored in a hierarchical structure. Information is stored together in a group, depending on its meaning. It's hard to bring information about that topic into consciousness when you aren't thinking of a particular topic; it depends on their stagnant and hidden. When you put effort to think carefully about a specific topic, or a closely related topic, and start running througha bunch of possibilities, all kinds of new possibilities become transparent. Various concepts andideas, almost unconsciously are scan through your mind.
This wealth of information combines will create a new. For example, suppose you get an indefinite trading idea about how a set of indicatorsmay forecast the price of a particular stock. Once you get the basic idea in your mind, you can prime your mind to get the creative juices flowing.For instant, scan a set of charts to back test and find support for your hypothesis.
Once you look through the charts, you will prompt to other related information after seeing at the information. Yet the idea soon will leak out, and you'll make a new discovery as this is a basis for a new trading strategy.
The main point is that you must set your thinking processes to create a new idea. When you put on a trade, you have the attention to starts on focus, your senses are heightened, and your perspective will change until you see new ideas. The more ideas you will create new discoveries when the more your mind is active. It is helpful when knowing about the creative process and how to set it in motion gives you power. Unable to think creatively is the reason brings some people down.Actually they can, they just need to know how to do it.
To think creatively, it's vital to be relaxed and free of anxiety. It is also essential to prime your mind in order to start the process.When it’s the time to think of a new trading idea, think creatively. Processing the creative in motion may help you come up with a big idea that will make you huge profits.
As a FOREX trader, you must be able to calculate risk and taking losses, if can’t accept, better don’t trade. Risk means reward, you do like to accept volatility and risk cheerfully. Drawdowns are a part of trading; FOREX trading fun and highly profitable because of the volatile markets. As you become the well-informed FOREX trader, a drawdown is not something to fear, but something to enjoy. Volatility makes a big opportunity!
Where to start learning Forex?
Well, if you're new to all these FX stuffs, you might want to learn A - Z facts and how to start making money in Forex market. Start your Forex learning at our Forex 101 Classroom. Trust us, you don't want to miss the class - after all, you can make so much from FX trading and you don't even need to pay a cent for all the free courses we prepared here.
What beginners need to know about Forex trading?
Being new to FOREX trading? Don’t worry, getting started in FOREX trading is easy and you can always test your skills first in a demo account before you go ‘live’ with real money.
To get started in FOREX trading, we have to get to know what FOREX is. FOREX trading involves buying and selling the different currencies of the world. Buying one currency and selling another at the same time make a FOREX deal.
FOREX market is the largest trading market in the world. It yields an average turnover of $1.9 trillion daily and the figure is nearly 30 times larger than the total volume of equity trades in United States.
Starting in FOREX trading
To start trading on FOREX, one must first learn how to read FOREX quotes. Foreign exchange quotes are always listed in pairs (e.g. USD/JPY 109.2): the first listed currency is known as the base currency with a constant value of 1 unit; while the currency listed in the second is known as counter. In our given example, USD/JPY 109.2 means a dollar of United States Dollar is equal to 109.2 Japanese Yen. In other words, the quote shows the relative value of one currency compare to the other. It means the value USD had been increased when USD/JPY quote goes up
However, a two-sided quote (e.g. EUR/USD 1.2435/1.2440) consisting of a 'bid' and ‘ask’ is often seen. The ‘bid’ price is the price at which you can sell the base currency; while the ‘ask’ price is where you can buy the base currency. The different of ‘bid & ask’ price is commonly known as ‘spread’. In the example of EUR/USD 1.2435/1.2440, this means you can buy 1 Euro Dollar with 1.2440 USD or sell 1 Euro 1.2435. Currency brokers make their profit through these differences of ‘bid & ask’ price and this is how they manage to provide their services to individual investors without charging them commission fees.
If you are new to trading it makes sense to deal in the more popular currencies. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly you do not want to be left with a currency where there is little interest and you may have difficulty selling. Secondly the spread between the bid/ask prices is likely to be narrower, making it easier to make a profit.
Major currency traded in FOREX market
There are seven major currencies, the US dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY) British pound (GBP), Swiss Franc (CHF) Canadian dollar (CAD) and Australian dollar (AUD). The US dollar is the most traded currency followed by the Euro and the Yen. The Euro is the relatively new currency of the European Union although some member states, including the UK, have not changed their currency. Also, if you live in a country using one of the major currencies, when you first start trading it makes sense to begin with that currency. Not only are you familiar and comfortable with the currency, but you are in a better position to judge its strength. The internet has a wealth of information on the financial climate of a country, but if you live there you have access to all newspaper content, as well being in the unique position of experiencing first hand changes at the consumer level.
Major players in FOREX market
Although FOREX trading involves such a big volume of trades nowadays, it is not made available for the publics until year 1998. In the past, the FOREX market was not offered to small speculators or individual traders due to the large minimum business sizes and extremely strict financial requirements. At that time, only banks, big multi-national cooperation and major currency dealers were able to take advantage of the currency exchange market's extraordinary liquidity and strong trending nature of world's main currency exchange rates.
In late 90s, FOREX brokers are allowed to break huge sized inter-bank units into smaller units and offer these units to individual traders like you and me. As a fact in FOREX trading, FOREX is mainly traded in large international bank. According to Wall Street Journal Europe, 73% of the trade volume is covered by the major ten. Deutsche Bank, topping the table, had covered 17% of the total currency trades; followed by UBS in the second and Citi Group in third; taking 12.5% and 7.5% of the market. Other large financial cooperation in the list is HSBC, Barclays, Merril Lynch, J. P. Morgan Chase, Coldman Sachs, ABN Amro, and Morgan Stanley.
Why should I do FOREX business?
Main Question raised in your mind might be: Why should you trade FOREX? There are lots of reasons why you should involve in FOREX trading. FOREX market is truly a global market where it opens 24 hours a day through out the whole week (weekends excluded). With the ease of Internet access, transaction in FOREX can be done in anytime regardless on your location. This gives you the convenience to work on any time, anywhere – which in turns gives you the freedom you cannot have in investing other kind of trading.
More over, trading in FOREX gives you an equal prospective in rising and falling market. As trades are always done in pair of currency pairs, FOREX traders can always find chance to make money in anytime, regardless on the fall or rise period of one single country currency. Also, FOREX trading offers incredibly high leverage rates to the traders. By trading currency in margin up to 200 to 1, you can start off your FOREX trade with minimum capital and huge ROI.
Conclusion
With the flexibility you can get in foreign currency exchange market, FOREX trading suits perfectly into most people investment plans. Like with any new form of trading you need to know what you are doing, especially as there is margin involved. If you are new to FOREX, take all the time you need to learn this new trading skill well -- practice everything you learn with a demo account before you consider going 'live' with your own money.
Forex Beginners 'Must-Do'
It is believe that more than 50% of Forex traders are losing money long term in the foreign currency exchange market. Yet, there are still a lot of Forex traders jump in to the market, trade blindly and lost their money.
Trade after trade, its surprising to see that 'normally-losing' traders keep betting (not investing!) their money into Forex market without reviewing their trading strategy. No matter you are the experienced or the beginners, there are certain 'must-do' when trading Forex to manage the risk wisely and to increase your possibilities in making profits.
'Must-Do 1': Invest in your brain first
If you are serious about investing in Forex market, building up your trading skills and knowledge is the very first step that you must take. Seminars, workshops, video tutorials, online learning, or even books are handful to help us learn from the professional.
Learn to implement technical charting into your trades; learn using indicators to determine the right time to enter/exit the market; brush up your experience by trading with a demo account… all these are effective to ensure your smooth starts and it will definitely reduce your chances of losing money.
Recommended Forex trading course
'Must-Do 2': Getting the right trading system
It is wise to research very well and consider all the various brokers' system available to you before making your choice. By applying certain level of computer automations (such like charting and doing auto trades), trading; a well-designed trading system will reduce your work dramatically. This in turns give you more time to focus on studying the market and plotting your strategy. Also, using auto-trading system will avoid you from doing emotional-trades.
Recommended Forex trading tool
'Must-Do 3': Have a trading plan
As the old says: “Fail to plan is plan to fail”. Trading is like sailing boat middle in the sea; you will not be going anywhere without compass and navigator.
What is the detail objective of the trades? How much profit to expect from the trade? When to get into the market? How much to invest? What price to exit the market? If things do not work out, when do execute the stop loss order? How high is the affordable risk? A good trading plan should at least answers the above questions. Further more, if your trading plan fails, review and modify your trading plan.
Find out your mistakes and learn from them.
'Must-Do 4': Money management
Money management is controlling your risk through the use of protective stops, while balancing your potential for profit against your potential for loss. For example, good money management means you know your profit objective and the odds of being right or wrong, and controlling your risk with protective stops. You are better off with a trade where you might lose $1000 if you are wrong and make $500 if you are right, that would work eight times out of ten, than to take a trade where you would make $1000 if you are right and lose only $500 if you are wrong, but works only one time out of three.
If you are investing using your savings, it's even more important that you manage your money in your trading and in your personal expenses. Chances are high that you miss a good investing chance because of you are lack of capital.
'Must-Do 5': Discipline trading
Trading Forex with discipline is important. Success in Forex trading could not be achieved by plotting out the best trading plan. It is also depends on implementing the trading plan. Be discipline, trade according to your plan and never trade with your emotion no matter you are losing money or winning. Greed will stop you from taking profit at predetermined level; while fear will stop you from making the nice kill in the market.
10 Tips for your success in Forex trading
1. Implement a trading plan.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. A trading plan is especially crucial in Forex trading to stay ‘in-control’ against the emotional stress in speculative situation.
Often, your emotions will blind and lead you to the negative sides: greed causes you to over-ride on a win while fear causes you to cut short in your profits. Hence, a well organized operation has to be predetermined and strictly followed.
2. Trade within your means
If you cannot afford to lose, you cannot afford to win. Losing is a not a must but it is the natural in any trading market. Trading should be always done using excess money in your savings.
Before you start to trade in Forex, we suggest you to put aside some of your income to set up your own investment funds and trade only using that funds.
3. Avoid emotion trading
If you do not have a trading plan, make one. If you have a trading plan, follows it strictly! Never ever attempt to hold your weakened position and hope the market will turn back in your favor direction. You might end up losing all your capital if you keep holding. Move on, stay within your trading plan, and admit your mistakes if things do not turn as you want.
4. Ride on a win and cut your losses
Forex trader should always ride till the market turns around whenever a profit is show; while during losing, never hesitate to admit your mistakes and exit the market. It is human nature to stay long on loses and satisfy with small profits – this is why as we mentioned earlier that a strictly followed trading plan is a must-have.
5. Love the trends
Trends are your friends. Although currency values fluctuate but from the big picture it normally goes in a steady direction. If you are not sure on certain moves, the long term trend is always your primary reference. In long run, trading with the trends improves your odds in the Forex market.
6. Stop looking for leading indicators
There aren't any in the Forex market. While some firms make a lot of money selling software that predicts the future, the reality is that if those products really worked, they wouldn't be giving the secret away.
7. Avoid trading in a thin market
Trade on popular currency pairs and avoid thin market. The lack of public participation will cause difficulties in liquidate your positions. If you are beginners, we suggest the big five: USD/EUR, USD/JPY, USD/GBD, USD/CHF, and EUR/JPY.
8. Avoid trading in too many markets
Do not confuse yourself by overtrading in too many markets especially if you are a beginner. Go for the major currency pairs and drill down your studies in it.
9. Implement a proper trading system
There is hundreds of trading systems available on line. Pick one that you are most comfortable with and stick with it. Stay organized in your trades and fully utilized stop-loss or limit functions in your trades.
10. Keep learning
The best investment is always the investment on your brain. Without a doubt, Forex trading needs much more than just a few guidelines or tips to be successful. Experience, knowledge, capital, fortitude, and even some help of luck are all crucial in one’s success in the FX market. if you lose in a trade, do not lose the experience in it. Learn from your mistakes and regain your position in the next trade.
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