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  • May
    30

    An Introduction to Foreign Exchange Trading for New Investors

    Welcome back!

    FOREX TRADING stands for the purchasing of one currency at the same time selling another. In simple terms, the currency sold is exchanged for the currency bought. Currencies typically trade in pairs. Trading of the Euro to the US Dollar or the US Dollar to the Japanese Yen are examples. The most liquid and biggest currency pairs comprise the bulk of the FOREX TRADING volume. Major currencies are the US Dollar, the Euro, the British Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Swiss Franc, the Australian Dollar, and the Canadian Dollar. These currencies are traded in huge volumes such that an average of 85% of daily FOREX TRADING is being done with these major currencies. FOREX TRADING came into being due to trade and investment between companies across different countries.

    No matter how you choose to make money with your investments - whether it be with swing trading stocks, investing in stocks, or honest stock – you should know there are some benefits of choosing forex trading. Huge trading volumes, decentralized system, and virtually uninterrupted trading hours are three characteristics of FOREX TRADING. High profits are attained due to the huge volumes of trading foreign currencies. It is in fact the most traded fixed income market with its average daily turnover reaching US$3.2 trillion. Unlike the stock market, FOREX TRADING does not have a centralized exchange. Transactions are undertaken by participants thru the telephone and an electronic network. FOREX TRADING is a 24-hour operation except on weekends. The market typically opens at the start of the business day in Sydney, moving on to Tokyo, then London, then New York. Because of this, participants and investors are able to monitor and respond to market fluctuations day or night.

    Financial institutions of different levels participate in FOREX TRADING. These financial institutions include central banks, investment firms, commercial banks, remittance companies, and commercial companies. Investment firms and commercial banks trade either in behalf of their clients or for their own accounts. Central banks’ participation in FOREX TRADING is often in their respective economies’ interests. Central banks can use their vast forex reserves to stabilize the market or a currency. The flow of money from countries with a huge population of migrant workers to these workers’ home countries ensured the participation of remittance companies. Due to the need to pay for goods and services, FOREX TRADING is done by commercial companies at a comparatively lower level. Retail traders or individuals may also participate in FOREX TRADING but is done through banks.

    Participants of FOREX TRADING have developed and used several strategies in maximizing profits just like in any market. One of the most common strategies is the candlestick charting strategy. Candlestick charts were developed by a Japanese rice trader in the 18th century to predict market and price movements in the rice exchange at that time. Stock, forex, and commodities markets presently use the candlestick chart as an indispensable tool for decision making.

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