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“How To” Start Trading The Forex Market?
By: Martin Maier
What Is FOREX or FOREX MARKET? PART I
The Foreign Exchange market (also referred to as the Forex or FX market) is the
largest financial market in the world, with over $1.5 trillion changing hands
every day.
That is larger than all US equity and Treasury markets combined!
Unlike other financial markets that operate at a centralized location (i.e.
stock exchange), the worldwide Forex market has no central location. It is a
global electronic network of banks, financial institutions and individual
traders, all involved in the buying and selling of national currencies. Another
major feature of the Forex market is that it operates 24 hours a day,
corresponding to the opening and closing of financial centers in countries all
across the world, starting each day in Sydney, then Tokyo, London and New York.
At any time, in any location, there are buyers and sellers, making the Forex
market the most liquid market in the world.
Traditionally, access to the Forex market has been made available only to banks
and other large financial institutions. With advances in technology over the
years, however, the Forex market is now available to everybody, from banks to
money managers to individual traders trading retail accounts. The time to get
involved in this exciting, global market has never been better than now. Open an
account and become an active player in the largest market on the planet.
The Forex Market is very different than trading currencies on the futures
market, and a lot easier, than trading stocks or commodities.
Whether you are aware of it or not, you already play a role in the Forex market.
The simple fact that you have money in your pocket makes you an investor in
currency, particularly in the US Dollar. By holding US Dollars, you have elected
not to hold the currencies of other nations. Your purchases of stocks, bonds or
other investments, along with money deposited in your bank account, represent
investments that rely heavily on the integrity of the value of their denominated
currency ¨the US Dollar. Due to the changing value of the US Dollar and the
resulting fluctuations in exchange rates, your investments may change in value,
affecting your overall financial status. With this in mind, it should be no
surprise that many investors have taken advantage of the fluctuation in Exchange
Rates, using the volatility of the Foreign Exchange market as a way to increase
their capital.
Example: suppose you had $1000 and bought Euros when the exchange rate was 1.50
Euros to the dollar. You would then have 1500 Euros. If the value of Euros
against the US dollar increased then you would sell (exchange) your Euros for
dollars and have more dollars than you started with.
Example:
You might see the following:
EUR/USD last trade 1.5000 means
One Euro is worth $1.50 US dollars.
The first currency (in this example, the EURO) is referred to as the base
currency and the second (/USD) as the counter or quote currency.
The FOREX plays a vital role in the world economy and there will always be a
tremendous need for the exchange of currencies. International trade increases as
technology and communication increases. As long as there is international trade,
there will be a FOREX market. The FX market has to exist so a country like
Germany can sell products in the United States and be able to receive Euros in
exchange for US Dollar.
RISK WARNING:
Risks of currency trading
Margined currency trading is an extremely risky form of investment and is only
suitable for individuals and institutions capable of handling the potential
losses it entails. An account with an broker allows you to trade foreign
currencies on a highly leveraged basis (up to about 400 times your account
equity).The funds in an account that is trading at maximum leverage may be
completely lost if the position(s) held in the account experiences even a one
percent swing in value. Given the possibility of losing one's entire investment,
speculation in the foreign exchange market should only be conducted with risk
capital funds that, if lost, will not significantly affect the investors
financial well-being.
About the Author:
Veteran Trader Martin Maier is the Founder of
http://www.fenixcapitalmanagement.com
He is the developer of various futures and commodities trading programs and his
systems have been ranked and rated by various large American Investment Profile
Rating Companies such as STAR and MAR. |