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.

Look for the next part of What Is FOREX…..

Increase your chances to successfully trading the Forex market by embracing the simplicity of the basic elements necessary to become a successful trader. The following elements are key to your successfully becoming a Forex trader.

TRUST YOURSELF. To become a successful Forex trader, you must trust your judgment as you have in other areas of your life where you have become successful. You must also believe that you have found good Forex trading education that has trained you how to correctly analyze the markets and know the information necessary for you to make good trading decisions. For long term success in trading, you need to be able to make the decision yourself to enter a trade. You must have the belief that you will act in your own best interests before risking any money.

KNOW THE LENGTH OF THE LEARNING CURVE. Experienced traders have the best chance to have profitable trading early in their Forex trading. Unfortunately, you will lose money when you start trade. Sound depressing? Knowing this will give you the confidence to keep going when things do not start with the success you hope for. Grasping the length of the learning curve can keep you on course when you start trading with real money and not think this is something you cannot do.

FIND YOUR PERSONAL TRADING STYLE. There are countless ways to trade the Forex market. Some of the ways to trade are better suited for more individuals that like speed and other are better suited for those who like a slower approach. Only you know what is best for you. Find your style before you trade real money before and while you are demo trading. Knowing which style is for you, before live trading will make you a better trader when real money is on the line.

GET A SOUND TRADING EDUCATION. Nobody can buy a $97 Ebook or $200 course and become a licensed brain surgeon? Would you let someone operate on your brain with that type of education? No. Trading the Forex requires a certain amount of knowledge and offers you the potential to earn 100s of times more money than most doctors. It should be common sense to expect to pay for quality education. You will either pay for quality education that will help you have a better chance to achieve the success you want from trading or you will pay your account to the market and in the end paying much more and learning much less. Onsite Forex trading workshops and the thousands of dollars in costs to attend give you the least bang for your buck, how many of your doctors learned to become a doctor over a weekend? Find a good source of online Forex training and LIVE Forex training.

CONSISTENCY IS THE MAGIC. One thing, one system traded over and over the same way will make you money. Spending time trying to learn everything about trading and every trading system and trading it only a few times is what will lose you money. You do not have to know everything about the Forex market and to be honest it is impossible, just as impossible as it is for every doctor to have all medical knowledge. A good trading system executed consistently over and over again in the same way is what will make you a profitable trader.

Understanding and implementing these elements into your trading will bring you success.

Getting into trading the Forex? Get the right Forex Training online now. Get answers to the top Forex FAQS  and jump in today. Learn all about this exciting market now.