Just three months ago bankers, brokers and financial traders were perceived by the majority of Russian citizens as space aliens. The future appeared set for many years ahead. Then the crisis made some corrections. For the first time in seven years employment agencies became flooded with the former "celestial beings".
A series of publications was issued by several financial industry magazines saying that highly qualified financial professionals would get to do things unfamiliar to them. This situation should not be overly dramatized, though. The former participants of the securities market can apply their knowledge and experience to world currency market as Eugene A. Sokolinsky, the director of "Akmos Trade" (http://www.akmos.ru) dealing center thinks.He says:
An article by A. Zaitsev "Should you trade futures on the Internet?" appeared in "RCB" magazine 16'98. I would like to express my disagreement with a few of his ideas.
Showing posts with label FOREX TRADER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FOREX TRADER. Show all posts
Thursday, January 22, 2009
FOREX : What Is It And How Does It Work?
The Foreign Exchange market, also referred to as the "FOREX" is the biggest and largest financial market in the world. It has a daily average turnover of US$1.9 trillion- just imagine that amount of money! Don't you want to join this trillion-dollar industry?FOREX is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. Currencies are traded in pairs, for example Euro/US Dollar (EUR/USD) or US Dollar/Japanese Yen (USD/JPY). So basically, FOREX is trading.There are two reasons to buy and sell currencies. About 5% of daily turnover is from companies and governments that buy or sell products and services in a foreign country or must convert profits made in foreign currencies into their domestic currency.The other 95% is trading for profit, or what you call speculation. Investors frequently trade on information they believe to be superior and relevant, when in fact it is not and is fully discounted by the market.On one side of each speculative stock trade is a participant who believes he has superior information and on the other side is another participant who believes his information is superior.For speculators, the best trading opportunities are with the most commonly traded (and therefore most liquid- meaning its in cash or convertible to cash) currencies, called "the Majors." Today, more than 85% of all daily transactions involve trading of the Majors.A true 24-hour market, FOREX trading begins each day in Sydney, and moves around the globe as the business day begins in each financial center, first to Tokyo, London, and New York. Unlike any other financial market, investors can respond to currency fluctuations caused by economic, social and political events at the time they occur - real time- day or night.The FOREX market is considered an Over The Counter (OTC) or 'interbank' market. This is because the transactions are conducted between two counterparts over the telephone or via an electronic network. Trading is not centralized on an exchange compared to stocks and futures markets.Understanding FOREX quotesReading a FOREX quote may seem a bit confusing at first. However, it's really quite simple if you remember two things: 1) The first currency listed first is the base currency and 2) the value of the base currency is always 1.The US dollar is the centerpiece of the FOREX market and is normally considered the 'base' currency for quotes. In the "Majors", this includes USD/JPY, USD/CHF and USD/CAD. For these currencies and many others, quotes are expressed as a unit of $1 USD per the second currency quoted in the pair. For example, a quote of USD/JPY 110.01 means that one U.S. dollar is equal to 110.01 Japanese yen.When the U.S. dollar is the base unit and a currency quote goes up, it means the dollar has appreciated in value and the other currency has weakened. If the USD/JPY quote we previously mentioned increases to 113.01, the dollar is stronger because it will now buy more yen than before.The three exceptions to this rule are the British pound (GBP), the Australian dollar (AUD) and the Euro (EUR). In these cases, you might see a quote such as GBP/USD 1.7366, meaning that one British pound equals 1.7366 U.S. dollars.In these three currency pairs, where the U.S. dollar is not the base rate, a rising quote means a weakening dollar, as it now takes more U.S. dollars to equal one pound, euro or Australian dollar.In other words, if a currency quote goes higher, that increases the value of the base currency. A lower quote means the base currency is weakening.Currency pairs that do not involve the U.S. dollar are called cross currencies, but the premise is the same. For example, a quote of EUR/JPY 127.95 signifies that one Euro is equal to 127.95 Japanese yen.When trading FOREX you will often see a two-sided quote, consisting of a 'bid' and 'offer'. The 'bid' is the price at which you can sell the base currency (at the same time buying the counter currency). The 'ask' is the price at which you can buy the base currency (at the same time selling the counter currency).
FOREX TRADING
Forex Trading is the act of trading currencies from different countries against each other. Forex is acronym of Foreign Exchange.
For example, in Europe the currency in circulation is called the Euro (EUR) and in the United States the currency in circulation is called the US Dollar (USD). An example of a forex trade is to buy the Euro while simultaneously selling US Dollar. This is called going long on the EUR/USD.
For example, in Europe the currency in circulation is called the Euro (EUR) and in the United States the currency in circulation is called the US Dollar (USD). An example of a forex trade is to buy the Euro while simultaneously selling US Dollar. This is called going long on the EUR/USD.
How does Forex Trading Work?
Forex trading is typically done through a broker or market maker. As a forex trader you can choose a currency pair that you feel is going to change in value and place a trade accordingly. For example, if you had purchased 1,000 Euros in January of 2005, it would have cost you around $1,200 USD. Throughout 2005 the Euro’s value vs. the U.S. Dollar’s value increased. At the end of the year 1,000 Euros was worth $1,300 U.S. Dollars. If you had chosen to close your trade at that point, you would have made $100.
Forex trades can be placed through a broker or market maker. Orders can be placed with just a few clicks and the broker then passes the order along to a partner in the Interbank Market to fill your position. When you close your trade, the broker closes the position on the Interbank Market and credits your account with the loss or gain. This can all happen literally within a few seconds
Forex trades can be placed through a broker or market maker. Orders can be placed with just a few clicks and the broker then passes the order along to a partner in the Interbank Market to fill your position. When you close your trade, the broker closes the position on the Interbank Market and credits your account with the loss or gain. This can all happen literally within a few seconds
The Foreign Exchange Market
The Foreign Exchange Market goes by many names—Currency Exchange, Foreign Exchange, Forex, FX—but no matter the term, it is simply the trading of one currency against another. Currencies are traded in the form of currency pairs with pricing based on exchange rates and spreads established by participants in the forex market.
History
The forex market is an inter-bank or inter-dealer network first established in 1971 when many of the world’s major currencies moved towards floating exchange rates. It is considered an over-the-counter (OTC) market, meaning that transactions are conducted between two counter parties that agree to trade via telephone or electronic network. OTC trades are not centralized in one location like some equity stock markets such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the Chicago Options Board Exchange (CBOE) where options and futures are traded.
As FX trading has evolved, several locations have emerged as market leaders. Currently, London, England contributes the greatest share of transactions with over 32% of the total trades. Other trading centers—listed in order of volume— are New York, Tokyo, Zurich, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Paris, and Sydney.
Because these trading centers cover most of the major time zones, FX trading is a true 24-hour market that operates five days a week. For example, as a trader in New York, you have access to the FX market starting Sunday evening when the market opens in Sydney for the start of the trading week. Trading centers around the globe then come online until New York closes at 4:30 PM EST. Of course, by this time, Sydney will have reopened for the next trading day so you can continue to trade around the clock until the New York close on Friday.
History
The forex market is an inter-bank or inter-dealer network first established in 1971 when many of the world’s major currencies moved towards floating exchange rates. It is considered an over-the-counter (OTC) market, meaning that transactions are conducted between two counter parties that agree to trade via telephone or electronic network. OTC trades are not centralized in one location like some equity stock markets such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the Chicago Options Board Exchange (CBOE) where options and futures are traded.
As FX trading has evolved, several locations have emerged as market leaders. Currently, London, England contributes the greatest share of transactions with over 32% of the total trades. Other trading centers—listed in order of volume— are New York, Tokyo, Zurich, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Paris, and Sydney.
Because these trading centers cover most of the major time zones, FX trading is a true 24-hour market that operates five days a week. For example, as a trader in New York, you have access to the FX market starting Sunday evening when the market opens in Sydney for the start of the trading week. Trading centers around the globe then come online until New York closes at 4:30 PM EST. Of course, by this time, Sydney will have reopened for the next trading day so you can continue to trade around the clock until the New York close on Friday.
FXTrade InfoCenter
FXTrade:
Discover how economic indicators affect foreign currency movement. Find out about crude oil crack spreads and other timely topics of interest. Or access OANDA's open order books to see how client price expectations may be affecting the currency markets.
From glossaries to blogs, from currency fundamentals to advanced analysis, from open books to wikis, the OANDA FXTrade InfoCenter is your one-stop site for free currency commentary, news, analysis, and graphical tools to understand the forex market.
Discover how economic indicators affect foreign currency movement. Find out about crude oil crack spreads and other timely topics of interest. Or access OANDA's open order books to see how client price expectations may be affecting the currency markets.
From glossaries to blogs, from currency fundamentals to advanced analysis, from open books to wikis, the OANDA FXTrade InfoCenter is your one-stop site for free currency commentary, news, analysis, and graphical tools to understand the forex market.
Properly Educated Personnel
Qualified staff is necessary to manage hedging processes, particularly for hedging future transactions and engaging in speculative trading. When your company is considering whether to hedge future foreign currency transactions, proper validation of the forecasted foreign currency exposures requires good judgement and investigation skills. Your staff must be qualified and trained to identify and manage these exposures effectively.
Speculative forex transactions carry a higher than average degree of risk, and forex speculation is not a recommended activity for companies (unless it is the prime focus of their business). If your company decides to trade foreign currencies speculatively, be aware of the risks. For example, in addition to the normal volatility, risk can also be associated with factors such as changes in a country's political condition, economic climate, or acts of nature, all of which may substantially affect the price or availability of a given currency. You must, therefore, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and appetite for such risk prior to entering this speculative market. Most importantly, do not invest money that your company is not in a position to lose.
Speculative forex transactions carry a higher than average degree of risk, and forex speculation is not a recommended activity for companies (unless it is the prime focus of their business). If your company decides to trade foreign currencies speculatively, be aware of the risks. For example, in addition to the normal volatility, risk can also be associated with factors such as changes in a country's political condition, economic climate, or acts of nature, all of which may substantially affect the price or availability of a given currency. You must, therefore, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and appetite for such risk prior to entering this speculative market. Most importantly, do not invest money that your company is not in a position to lose.
Counterparty Risk
Every contract carries the risk (for each party) that the counterparty will not live up to its contractual obligations or will default. For example, the provider may not execute the foreign currency transaction as directed. Or, once the forex transaction is executed, there is a risk of default if the provider didn't hedge out the transaction with another customer’s trade or with another forexliquidity provider.
To help manage risk, you must verify counterparty viability before placing any trade with them. For example, verify that the counterparty:
has extremely good credit has a strong capital position has risk management policies which hedge out any net forex exposures to an appropriate liquidity provider. The use of margin accounts should eliminate the counterparty’s exposure to any customer losses
To help manage risk, you must verify counterparty viability before placing any trade with them. For example, verify that the counterparty:
has extremely good credit has a strong capital position has risk management policies which hedge out any net forex exposures to an appropriate liquidity provider. The use of margin accounts should eliminate the counterparty’s exposure to any customer losses
Shortcomings Of being a Forex Trader
Not everyone succeeds with Forex trading. It’s a fact known to all! But the thing to wonder about is that while some achieve more than they aim for, others fail to get back even what they invested.
Although there is no success formula when it comes to Forex Market Trading, certain measures can be taken and a few things kept in mind, which can put struggling traders, a step ahead from their current positions.
A little guidance and information regarding some important aspects of Forex trading will help the traders to know, what to do and what NOT to! It is at times better to recognize the key shortcomings and then keep away from them, in order to grow successfully.
Trade Secret
Traders spend years trying to discover the so called “Trade Secret”. A secret known to just a few other traders, which can turn them into a billionaire, overnight!
There is no such thing as a “Trade Secret”, which can make someone rich overnight. This is because of the fact that in the Forex market, Change is the only thing permanent! Every instant is only one of its kinds. Traders should work on discovering a Forex trading system that suits their own individuality and behavior, so that they can easily follow it.
Go for the thrill
Forex, Currencies and Fiscal matters have always attracted people by being an unpredictable, yet, challenging and exciting arena to explore. People are hence, attracted to becoming a Trader.
But if exploration and adventure are the only reasons for certain traders to join trading in the Forex market, they are soon about to realize how costly this quest turns out for them.
Although there is no success formula when it comes to Forex Market Trading, certain measures can be taken and a few things kept in mind, which can put struggling traders, a step ahead from their current positions.
A little guidance and information regarding some important aspects of Forex trading will help the traders to know, what to do and what NOT to! It is at times better to recognize the key shortcomings and then keep away from them, in order to grow successfully.
Trade Secret
Traders spend years trying to discover the so called “Trade Secret”. A secret known to just a few other traders, which can turn them into a billionaire, overnight!
There is no such thing as a “Trade Secret”, which can make someone rich overnight. This is because of the fact that in the Forex market, Change is the only thing permanent! Every instant is only one of its kinds. Traders should work on discovering a Forex trading system that suits their own individuality and behavior, so that they can easily follow it.
Go for the thrill
Forex, Currencies and Fiscal matters have always attracted people by being an unpredictable, yet, challenging and exciting arena to explore. People are hence, attracted to becoming a Trader.
But if exploration and adventure are the only reasons for certain traders to join trading in the Forex market, they are soon about to realize how costly this quest turns out for them.
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