FX Instructor Forex Blog - Blog
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008
FX Instructor Forex Blog - Blog
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Starting Out - Forex Trading
The forex has been the domain of government central banks, as well as commercial and investment banks. It has also been used for hedge funds by large international corporations. The rules were revised during the 1980s to allow smaller investors to participate using margin accounts. This has opened up an excellent opportunity small investors to reap high returns.
The foreign-exchange ("forex" or "FX") market is the place where currencies are traded. The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average traded value that exceeds $1.8 trillion per day.
The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week, with currencies being traded worldwide among the major financial centers of London, New York, Tokyo, Zurich, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris and Sydney - spanning most time zones. There is no central marketplace for currency exchange. Trade is conducted over-the-counter.
The forex has been the domain of government central banks, as well as commercial and investment banks. It has also been used for hedge funds by large international corporations. The rules were revised during the 1980s to allow smaller investors to participate using margin accounts. It is because of these margin accounts that forex trading has become so popular. When you consider that a 100:1 margin account allows you to control $100,000 of currency for just $1000, this has created an excellent opportunity for making a great deal of money. Of course, such leverage is also a recipe for losing a great deal if you are not properly prepared. Naturally this course is designed to help you become prepared.
FOREX traders usually require a broker to handle transactions. Most brokers are reputable and are associated with large financial institutions such as banks.
Like anything else, you should shop around for the best bang for the buck when looking for a broker. Here are some things you should look for when considering a broker:
A Respectable Quality Institution - Forex brokers are usually associated with lending institutions or large banks. The reason for this is that such institutions have the large amount of capital needed in order to provide the leverage needed. Look for brokers that are registered with the Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This information should be provided on the broker's webpage or its parent company page.
Lowest Spreads - Forex brokers do not charge a commission such as Futures brokers do. They make their money from the spread, which is calculated in "pips". The difference between what you can buy the currency for and what you can sell it for is the spread. PIP stands for Price Interest Point. It is the increment in which the currency pair will trade. For example, if you buy the EUR/USD for 1.2015 and it goes up to 1.2016, it has gone up 1 pip. When looking for a forex broker, find one that offers you the lowest spread for the currency pairs you plan on trading.
Types of Accounts - No two traders are alike. Some have a vast amount of money while others have smaller accounts in which to trade. Look for a forex broker that provides you with some account choices. For example, traders with small accounts or just learning how to trade in the forex should look for what many brokers call the "Mini Account". This type of account requires a small minimum to open, say, $250. This account allows for a high amount of leverage that you will need in order to trade with so little amount of money. In such an account, you can trade with a $1 pip, as opposed to $10 or higher pip value. Standard accounts have higher minimum balance requirements and allow for trading at different leverages. Read carefully the different types of accounts being offered.
Available Leverages - Leverage is important in forex because the price deviations (how you make your money) are merely fractions of a cent. Leverage is the ratio between the capital that is available and actual capital. The leverage depends on what the broker is willing to lend you. For instance, 100:1 ratio means that for every 1 dollar of your money (actual capital) the broker will lend you $100 (available capital). Some brokers offer 250:1 and even 300:1 ratios. The higher the ratio, the more leverage (bang for the buck) you will have. Keep in mind that a high ratio not only gives you more bang for your dollar but it also increases your risk of a margin call. Lower ratio will lower your risk of a margin call, but it will also lower the power of your dollar.
Extra Goodies (Tools, Research) - To get your business brokers provide various free tools and information resources to their customers. You will want to find a broker that will provide you with free real-time price charts as well as an excellent online trading platform. One very popular platform and the one I currently use is FX Trading Station. But shop around and see what is being offered.
The best thing you can do is to ask around on various trading forums where forex traders haunt. This is because there does not exist any blacklist for those brokers that may commit acts of sniping or hunting, which is prematurely buying or selling near preset price points in order to increase profits. Also, make sure that they are happy with the broker's margin rules. Some may be too strict and get you out when the market moves against you although you still have enough capital to hold the position. The position may turn out in your favor had you not been exited by the broker. This can be costly. So ask around!
________________________________________
About the Author
Rick Ratchford is an analyst, trader, author and speaker specializing in the forecasting of market tops and bottoms in the Futures/Commodity and Forex markets. Members of his Precision Trading Membership learn weekly when to expect upcoming tops and bottoms in the major Futures/Commodity and Forex Markets. He has helped many traders since 1996 to better time the markets. For free timing newsletter, go to: http://www.profitmaxtrading.com.
Starting Out in Forex Trading
The forex has been the domain of government central banks, as well as commercial and investment banks. It has also been used for hedge funds by large international corporations. The rules were revised during the 1980s to allow smaller investors to participate using margin accounts. This has opened up an excellent opportunity small investors to reap high returns.
The foreign-exchange ("forex" or "FX") market is the place where currencies are traded. The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average traded value that exceeds $1.8 trillion per day.
The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week, with currencies being traded worldwide among the major financial centers of London, New York, Tokyo, Zurich, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris and Sydney - spanning most time zones. There is no central marketplace for currency exchange. Trade is conducted over-the-counter.
The forex has been the domain of government central banks, as well as commercial and investment banks. It has also been used for hedge funds by large international corporations. The rules were revised during the 1980s to allow smaller investors to participate using margin accounts. It is because of these margin accounts that forex trading has become so popular. When you consider that a 100:1 margin account allows you to control $100,000 of currency for just $1000, this has created an excellent opportunity for making a great deal of money. Of course, such leverage is also a recipe for losing a great deal if you are not properly prepared. Naturally this course is designed to help you become prepared.
FOREX traders usually require a broker to handle transactions. Most brokers are reputable and are associated with large financial institutions such as banks.
Like anything else, you should shop around for the best bang for the buck when looking for a broker. Here are some things you should look for when considering a broker:
A Respectable Quality Institution - Forex brokers are usually associated with lending institutions or large banks. The reason for this is that such institutions have the large amount of capital needed in order to provide the leverage needed. Look for brokers that are registered with the Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This information should be provided on the broker's webpage or its parent company page.
Lowest Spreads - Forex brokers do not charge a commission such as Futures brokers do. They make their money from the spread, which is calculated in "pips". The difference between what you can buy the currency for and what you can sell it for is the spread. PIP stands for Price Interest Point. It is the increment in which the currency pair will trade. For example, if you buy the EUR/USD for 1.2015 and it goes up to 1.2016, it has gone up 1 pip. When looking for a forex broker, find one that offers you the lowest spread for the currency pairs you plan on trading.
Types of Accounts - No two traders are alike. Some have a vast amount of money while others have smaller accounts in which to trade. Look for a forex broker that provides you with some account choices. For example, traders with small accounts or just learning how to trade in the forex should look for what many brokers call the "Mini Account". This type of account requires a small minimum to open, say, $250. This account allows for a high amount of leverage that you will need in order to trade with so little amount of money. In such an account, you can trade with a $1 pip, as opposed to $10 or higher pip value. Standard accounts have higher minimum balance requirements and allow for trading at different leverages. Read carefully the different types of accounts being offered.
Available Leverages - Leverage is important in forex because the price deviations (how you make your money) are merely fractions of a cent. Leverage is the ratio between the capital that is available and actual capital. The leverage depends on what the broker is willing to lend you. For instance, 100:1 ratio means that for every 1 dollar of your money (actual capital) the broker will lend you $100 (available capital). Some brokers offer 250:1 and even 300:1 ratios. The higher the ratio, the more leverage (bang for the buck) you will have. Keep in mind that a high ratio not only gives you more bang for your dollar but it also increases your risk of a margin call. Lower ratio will lower your risk of a margin call, but it will also lower the power of your dollar.
Extra Goodies (Tools, Research) - To get your business brokers provide various free tools and information resources to their customers. You will want to find a broker that will provide you with free real-time price charts as well as an excellent online trading platform. One very popular platform and the one I currently use is FX Trading Station. But shop around and see what is being offered.
The best thing you can do is to ask around on various trading forums where forex traders haunt. This is because there does not exist any blacklist for those brokers that may commit acts of sniping or hunting, which is prematurely buying or selling near preset price points in order to increase profits. Also, make sure that they are happy with the broker's margin rules. Some may be too strict and get you out when the market moves against you although you still have enough capital to hold the position. The position may turn out in your favor had you not been exited by the broker. This can be costly. So ask around!
________________________________________
About the Author
Rick Ratchford is an analyst, trader, author and speaker specializing in the forecasting of market tops and bottoms in the Futures/Commodity and Forex markets. Members of his Precision Trading Membership learn weekly when to expect upcoming tops and bottoms in the major Futures/Commodity and Forex Markets. He has helped many traders since 1996 to better time the markets. For free timing newsletter, go to: http://www.profitmaxtrading.com.
The Risks of Forex Trading
There are definite risks to trading in the forex market. It pays to be knowledgable of these risks. A few tips may be of help to you.
You could lose your investment.
This sounds too obvious to mention, but it's true. There is no guarantee of success. Between the time you place a trade and the time you close your trade, there is much that can still take place. For one thing, fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate will affect your potential profit, the price of your contract, and your potential losses in the deal.
Be aware always that you could lose your entire investiment. Prices can move in a direction that does not favor your position. High leverage can result in losses in excess of your initial deposit. It's also possible that, depending on your agreement with your dealer, you may also end up paying for more losses.
Be wary of anyone stating that your investment is protected. In reality, forex trades are not guaranteed by any organization, nor are your deposits to trade forex contracts insured. If a dealer goes bankrupt, the funds deposited by that dealer in an FDIC-insured bank account may not be protected.
The Internet has its own risks
There is always a possibility, however remote, that an online system failure may occur. This would put you in a very difficult position, keeping you from making new orders, making changes to or canceling existing orders. In light of this risk, it's best to obtain the contact information, such as the telephone numbers and addresses of the companies and individuals you are dealing with online, so you may continue your business with as little disruption as possible.
Any investment carries the risk of fraud, and you should protect yourself against this as well. Scams are prevalent and increasing in number throughout the Internet. Due diligence on your part is definitely in order before you begin, and during trading.
Avoid deals that sound too good
Understand and remember that risk is inherent in forex trading, and anyone who assures you of the opposite is to be avoided. Opportunities that sound too good to be true are worthy of extra caution from you. In fact, it may be best just to stay away from them altogether. Get-rich-quick schemes definitely fall into this catagory, and often tend to be fraudulent.
Before you do business with anyone, be sure you know as much about them as you can, and be satisfied that they are reputable and trustworthy. If you cannot be certain that they are completely legitimate, it is best to not do business with that company or individual. Before you make any trading decisions, consult your financial advisor and consider also the information you've gathered thus far.
This article may be used on your website as is. Please retain this link with the article: http://www.xenocurrencies.com
________________________________________
About the Author
Donald Aday is a writer and webmaster.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Forex Investing at the Right Time - The 10 am Rule and How it works
Sometimes it`s wise not to be the early bird when stock investing, instead wait and see what the day will bring before you take action. The 10 A.M. rule is a great example of this concept, and is an example that protects your capital. Let`s say you want to buy a stock, for whatever reason; a trend play, or a market rally that you think a currently hot sector will participate in.
Sometimes it`s wise not to be the early bird when investing in forex, instead wait and see what the day will bring before you take action. The 10 A.M. rule is a great example of this concept, and is an example that protects your capital. Let`s say you want to buy a forex stock, for whatever reason; a trend play, or a market rally that you think a currently hot sector will participate in. You know that a great time to buy would be on a gap down, but the market is in rally mode and instead of gapping down, the forex stock gaps up. But buying the gap up is a bad trade. Now what do you do?
You use the 10 A.M. rule, and wait until after 10 A.M. for the right forex stock investing time to buy the stock. If the forex stock makes a new high for the day after 10 A.M., then, and only then, should you trade the stock. Of course, you will use stops to protect yourself, like you would on any trade.
Anyone who`s followed the market knows that a forex stock will often gap up early in the morning, only to suddenly sell off and reverse into negative territory. By following the 10 A.M. rule, you avoid the risk of this sudden reversal. If the forex stock does make it to a new high after 10 A.M., there is still trader interest in the forex stock, and it stands a good chance of gaining momentum and heading even higher.
Here is an example of the 10 A.M. rule on a gap up: A forex stock closes the day at $145. After hours, the company announces a two for one forex stock split. The next morning the forex stocks gaps up to open at $161. It trades as high as $166 before 10 A.M. For two hours after 10 A.M. it trades lower and doesn`t reach $166. At 2 P.M., it hits $166.50. The forex stock is now safe to buy, using the 10 A.M. rule.
Using a version of the 10 A.M. rule, you could watch for a hot sector to appear in the morning and follow the forex stocks in the sector that are up for the day. If the forex stocks are still making new highs at midday, they stand a good chance of finishing the day near their ultimate highs for the day, and could be good trading opportunities. This also applies in a down market and to stocks in forex that gap down, opening at prices lower than where they closed the previous day. In this situation, you should not short a forex stock that has gapped down unless and until it makes a new low for the day after 10 A.M.
Using the 10 A.M. rule ensures that you will never end up chasing and buying a forex stock when your chances of making a profitable trade are low. Remember, trading is all about probabilities. The more forex stock investing trades you make with a high probability of success, the more successful you will be. The 10 A.M. rule is a valuable addition to your trading plan, giving you a straightforward way to avoid making costly mistakes and to increase your number of profitable stock investing trades in forex.
________________________________________
David Jenyns is recognized as the leading expert when it
comes to designing profitable forex trading systems.
Discover the "secret formula" of trading that anyone can use
to consistently generate BIG profits from the market by
downloading your FREE copy of David's new Ultimate
Forex Trading Systems course.
Click Here To Download ==> Forex Trading Systems
http://www.ultimate-trading-systems.com/forex.html
________________________________________
About the Author
READ my articles; you'll FIND the most powerful insider trading plans & tips ever put together. Searching for these on your own, is a needle in a haystack (hard to find). I trade everyday & my progressive efforts found the perfect trading card, a set system & plans that really work. These online trading systems are unbelievably powerful, lucrative, reliable, yet simple to use. Until recently, I've kept this formula to myself. NOW, I reveal all.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Day Trading, Forex or Currencies Back Testing - A Way to Improve Your Trading Score
You can draw some useful parallels between running a business and Day Trading, Forex or Currencies trading. For instance, most successful businesses keep statistics on everything from their conversion rate, to their average dollar sale, to the number of people that come in the door.
Businesses do this to keep on top of how they are doing on a day to day basis and businesses must first take score before begining to improve on that score. Using a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan in your trading works exactly the same way.
Now that you`re looking at Day Trading, Forex or Currencies trading as a business, you need to learn some valuable statistics about your system so you can improve it`s performance. You would use a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing method. You can`t improve your system unless you have something to measure it against. How could you expect to improve your trading unless you knew what it was you were looking to improve? You can discover these measurements and other valuable information about your trading system, by using a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan.
There are two ways that you can use a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan to back test a system. You can do it manually, which can be a drawn out and labour intensive process, or you can do it with the aid of some software packages. Unfortunately, I recommend you do it by hand when you first start out. You`ll get a much better feel for your system, and you`ll understand exactly how using a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan works in all its intricacies. Once you have the Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan and the in depth knowledge, you could look at finding a software package that does it for you.
There are a few major statistics on your Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan that you need that you will uncover through back testing. The first statistic you need to become familiar with is the R multiple principal. R stands for risk, the risk you take on any trade when you enter the market. The R multiple of a trade is the ratio of the profit or loss compared to the amount of money risked to make the profit or loss.
Therefore, if you risk $200 dollars in your initial purchase, and you make a profit of $1,000, you have made five times the amount you risked in the trade. You have an R multiple of five. This statistic gives you a good idea of the relative size of your profits to your losses. You can compare the average size of your winning trades with the average size of your losing trades.
The next statistic you`ll find useful is your win to loss ratio. This is how many times you get a winning trade in proportion to how many times you get a losing trade. For example, if you had ten trades, four of those trades were winners, and six were losers, your win to loss ratio is simply four to six. This is your hit rate; you`ll get 40% of your trades correct.
With these two simple statistics, you can calculate the average size of your profits and of your losses, multiply these figures with your win to loss ratio, and calculate on average how much money you make with every dollar you risk.
For those of you who think this sounds like a too much work, particularly using a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan that you need to do to uncover these statistics, consider this scenario: Imagine yourself trading a system that you knew had a win to loss ratio of 60/40. You made profit on every six trades and lost one out of every four. How do you think you would feel, where would your confidence level be, after you traded the system for a little while and you received a string of 11 losses in a row?
Now, you know that this system has a win to loss ratio of six to four. Would you have the confidence to open another trade if your system brought up another buy signal after getting 11 trades wrong?
Unless you use Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan to back tested your system, I doubt that your confidence level will remain high. That trading system may be a fantastic profitable system. However, since you didn`t use your Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan to back test it, you don`t know that historically this system received up to 13 losses in a row, but was still profitable.
Here`s another point you may not have picked up unless you used your Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan. Once you`ve set your money management rules and you begin to trade, you will likely experience a string of losses. Countless times, I`ve had clients who get disheartened by this fact because they don`t understand the nature of setting good management. If you`re adhering to the rules of cutting your losses short and letting your profits run, because you`re cutting your losses short, those trades are going to last for a shorter amount of time.
This means once you begin trading the odds of getting losses early in the game are much higher than getting a winning trade. This is particularly true when you consider that many successful trading systems run on a 40/60 win to loss ratio. However, you will never know the intricacies of your system unless you use a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan and back test it.
Using a Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plan, will help you to understand what works and what doesn`t. It will give you the statistics to gauge the effectiveness of your trades. It fills in your scorecard, and allows you to make improvements. But, you shouldn`t simply believe everything I`ve told you. Instead, you need to prove it to yourself by using some Day Trading, Forex or Currencies back testing plans and back test your system.
________________________________________
About the Author
Discover the "secret formula" of trading that anyone can use.
To consistently generate BIG profits from the market by
downloading your FREE copy of the Ultimate Trading Systems.
Click Here To Signup Now
http://forexcurrencytradingsystems.com/index.php
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