Pips 4 Idiots

Posts Tagged ‘Sheep’

What Affects Currency?

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Many of you like investing in different kinds of investments. One type of investment that you may have is foreign exchange or foreign currency trading. Do you always win the game? Or are you losing money on that? You are not a sheep that simply follow what others do. You need to setup you own foundation on currencies before you can gain your money!

In fact, currency fluctuation can be affected by a number of factors. In the broadest sense, a country’s economic situation and its macroeconomics decisions have the greatest effect on its currency fluctuation. That is why you find the analysts are really familiar with such economical statistics, news and information. Common indices that you should be aware of include Gross National Product 9GNP), interest rates and consumer price index, etc. With the grasp of such information can help you make wise decisions in the forex trading market.

International profits significantly affect the currency trend. International profits are the net amount of income and expenses on foreign economic activities. Under normal circumstances, trade deficit indicates that the demand exceeds the supply for the foreign currency/trade/imports. Under the floating rate system, market demand and supply determine the currency fluctuation. A trade deficit can cause the depreciation of local currency while appreciation of foreign currency, vice versa.

Another point to look at will be the national income. When people’s income increase, they tend to be spending more or they are willing to spend more. As they spend more, this pushes the demand of local currency up. As mentioned before, with the increase in demand, the local currency appreciates.

Even though you see that people’s income is increasing, it does not necessarily mean that the local currency must appreciate. You have to understand the real factor that drives the increase in people’s income. For example, if the increase in income is driven by a series of government policies or demand, you may not see the appreciation of local currency. Why? Usually the government demand is so big that additional foreign imports are required. In this case, the demand on foreign imports or foreign currencies induces appreciations of foreign currencies.

Inflation rate is another fundamental factor that affects currency fluctuation. If a nation has over issued its currency which exceeds the demand in product purchasing, there will be inflation. Inflation decreases the purchasing power of the people and therefore leads to currency depreciation. In general sense, the local currency depreciates means the foreign currencies appreciate.

The main factors affecting currency fluctuation are basically covered here. There are still many other factors causing currency appreciation and depreciation. You should get yourself more well prepared before invest in forex!

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Some Textbook Mistakes in Forex Trading

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Novice and students of forex trading often overlook the obvious: many before them have made fatal mistakes. Making the same wrong decisions all over again just does not make sense. What a serious forex trader should do is to learn from them and up their game.

Relearning these assumptions and wrong steps will increase one’s chances of succeeding in the business. If you are inexperienced, then the experience of others can only enrich you. Always remember no to make these mistakes:

Wrong timing of Stops
While stops are certainly essential in forex trading, the wrong timing can topple your whole strategy. Sure, you might be thinking of putting a cork in your money leak, but the key to doing that is the right timing: the trade should still be leaning in your favor. Proper money management should be at play here. Risk should be at the minimum before placing a trade. Calculate and research your options.

Underestimating the risks of leverages
Okay, you might be thinking of instant profit if you use a 300:1 leverage on a trade. However, are you sure profit will come in? A lot of people think of leverages as free poker chips where in fact, the risks are higher. It is all about making sure you have a good solid hand. Even then, experienced traders are always careful only risk 2-3% of their investment balance on a trade. Asses your risks and gains, do not be dazzled with the money and the excitement.

Relying on signals and indicators too much
It is as if you are just a sheep following a trend. Signals and indicators are just that: assistants and cues that help you make a decision. Remember that your strategy and assets are unique to you, so technical indicators do not always apply to you. You still need to work. There is no magical formula or machine that can do the work for you.

Day trading
Some people might think that day trading holds no or fewer risks, which may be true to some. However, there is a reason why long term trading still holds: it gives you more time to wait out a position that will be in your favor, yielding more profits. Day trading can work, but only to a select few.

Getting sucked in by “miracle” software
There are dozens of so-called powerful platforms and software that tells you can beat the system and reap huge profits. Some of them can help but a lot of them are duds. The main thing to remember is that there is no sole software out there that is foolproof. It’s okay to get indicators and advice from a few, but it all rests in your acumen. Before putting your money where your program’s mouth is, you better test it thoroughly.

The same thing goes for systems and strategy on paper. Even if you have back tested it, would the conditions you have used to test that be the same conditions that will happen in the near future?

Getting overwhelmed with emotions
Forex trading requires objectivity, cool thinking and the ability to make sound decisions. Be too afraid to risk, and you will not profit at all. Be too reckless and you will lose your shirt in no time. Here is a smart thing to do: read up on forex trading psychology. Watch yourself and do not work obsessively. Have a life.

There is a reason why forex trading is so popular yet only a select few have built their careers over it. A lot of beginners have failed, but where they have fallen, you should pick up and do better.