A trading strategy used by forex traders to buy a currency pair and then to hold it for a short period of time in an attempt to make a profit. A forex scalper looks to make a large number of trades and earn a small profit each time. |||Forex scalping generally involves large amounts of leverage so that a small change in a currency equals a respectable profit. Forex scalping system strategies can be manual or automated. A manual system involves a trader sitting at the computer screen, looking for signals and interpreting whether to buy or sell. In an automated trading system, the trader "teaches" the software what signals to look for and how to interpret them. It is thought that automated trading takes human psychology out of trading, which is important in forex scalping because the fast-paced environment can be hard for traders to stomach.
A security that allows currency traders to realize gains without having to purchase the underlying currency pair. By incorporating leverage, forex options magnify returns and set a firm downside risk level. Alternatively, currency trading options can be held alongside the underlying forex pair to lock in profits or minimize risk. In this case, limiting the upside potential is usually necessary for capping the downside as well. |||Not all retail forex brokers provide the opportunity for options trading. As such, retail forex traders should research any broker they intend on using.Because of the risk of loss that is associated with writing options, most retail forex brokers do not allow traders to sell options contracts without high levels of capital for protection.
A security that allows currency traders to realize gains without having to purchase the underlying currency pair. By incorporating leverage, forex options magnify returns and provide a set downside risk. Alternatively, currency trading options can be held alongside the underlying forex pair to lock in profits or minimize risk. In this case, limiting the upside potential is usually necessary for capping the downside as well.Because options contracts implement leverage, traders are able to profit from much smaller moves when using an options contract than a traditional retail forex trade would allow. When combining traditional positions with a forex option, hedging strategies such as straddles, strangles and spreads can be used to minimize the risk of loss in a currency trade.Because of the risk of loss involved in writing options, most retail forex brokers do not allow traders to sell options contracts without high levels of capital for protection. |||Not all retail forex brokers provide the opportunity for option trading. Retail forex traders should research prospective brokers because for traders who intend to trade forex options online, having a broker that allows you to trade options alongside traditional positions is valuable; however, traders can also open a separate account and buy options through a different broker.There are two types of options available to retail forex traders for currency option trading: put/call options and STOP options. The call option gives the buyer the right to purchase a currency pair at a given exchange rate at some time in the future. The put option gives the buyer the right to sell a currency pair at a given exchange rate at some time in the future. Both the put and call options are a right to buy or sell, and not an obligation. If the current exchange rate puts the options out of the money, then the options will expire worthless.Single payment options trading (SPOT) options have a higher premium cost compared to traditional options, but they are easier to set and execute. A currency trader buys a SPOT option by inputing a desired scenario (e.g. "I think EUR/USD will have an exchange rate above 1.5205 15 days from now"), and is quoted a premium. If the buyer purchases this option, the SPOT will automatically pay out if the scenario occurs. Essentially, the option is automatically converted to cash.
A type of brokerage account that is used by beginner traders looking to enter the foreign exchange market. A forex mini account allows the investor to take a smaller position in a currency than if they were to trade the standard lots used by those with a regular account. Generally, a mini account allows the trader to trade contract sizes of 10,000 units rather than the standard 100,000. |||The smaller contract sizes have a broad appeal to beginner investors who do not want to take on a disproportional amount of risk. Generally speaking, mini account holders have access to the same materials as the regular account holders such as charts, trading platforms, support, etc. Those traders who are looking to get started in the forex market should consider opening a mini account because of the smaller contract sizes.
The market in which participants are able to buy, sell, exchange and speculate on currencies. The forex markets is made up of banks, commercial companies, central banks, investment management firms, hedge funds, and retail forex brokers and investors. The currency market is considered to be the largest financial market in the world, processing trillions of dollars worth of transactions each day. Watch: Forex Market Basics |||The foreign exchange markets isn't dominated by a single market exchange, but involves a global network of computers and brokers from around the world. Central banks use their massive buying and selling capabilities to alter exchange rates through their open market activities and in many cases will do so not with profit in mind, but rather for any number of policy reasons. Forex brokers act as market makers as well, and may post bid and ask prices for a currency pair that differs from the most competitive bid in the market.
The hours during which forex market participants are able to buy, sell, exchange and speculate on currencies. The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. International currency markets are made up of banks, commercial companies, central banks, investment management firms, hedge funds, and retail forex brokers and investors around the world. Because this market operates in multiple time zones, it can be accessed at almost any time. |||The international currency market isn't dominated by a single market exchange but involves a global network of exchanges and brokers around the world. Forex trading hours are based on when trading is open in each participating country:New York 8am to 5pm ESTTokyo 7pm to 4am ESTSydney 5pm to 2am ESTLondon 3am to 12 noon ESTAt times when markets overlap, the highest volume of trades occurs.
A set of analyses that a forex day trader uses to determine whether to buy or sell a currency pair at any given time. Forex trading strategies can be based on technical analysis charting tools or fundamental, news-based events. The day trader's currency trading strategy is usually made up of a multitude of signals, which trigger buy or sell decisions. Forex trading strategies are available for free, for a fee or are developed by the traders themselves. Watch: Forex Market Basics |||Forex trading strategies can be either manual or automated. A manual system involves a trader sitting at the computer screen, looking for signals and interpreting whether to buy or sell. An automated trading system involves the trader "teaching" the software what signals to look for and how to interpret them. It is thought that automated trading takes out the human element of psychology that is detrimental to a lot of traders.Both automated and manual day trading strategies are available for purchase over the internet. It is important to note that there is no such thing as the "holy grail" of trading systems. If the system was a perfect money maker, the seller would not want to share it.
A computer program based on a set of forex trading signals that helps determine whether to buy or sell a currency pair at any one time. Forex robots are designed to remove the psychological element of trading, which can be detrimental. |||Automated forex day trading robots are available for traders to purchase over the internet. It is important to note that there is no such thing as the "holy grail" of trading systems, whether automated or not. If the automated system being sold was a perfect money maker, the seller would not want to share it. This is why big financial firms keep their "black box" trading programs under lock and key.