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…..

If you are interested in trading in currencies then you will want to learn all about the Forex market. This market deals with trading in foreign currencies and with trading now done on the internet anyone can trade in this market, though you will need to have plenty of information and knowledge about how to be successful. Originally only banks and other large businesses dealing in finance would participate in Forex trading because it was all done over the phone.

The Forex market worldwide is one of the largest, with billions of dollars being traded every single day. You do not necessarily need a lot of money to begin trading as the number of investors is so large that this keeps the price low. There is also a plus in knowing that brokers do not charge commissions for trades which is common if you’re trading in the stock market.

A basic trade is when you are purchasing one currency with another and then playing the exchange rates. So you will purchase Euros using American dollars and when the exchange rate changes so you will make a profit when you sell the Euros for American dollars and get more back than what you paid.
There are many things that affect the Forex market, so the risk is much higher than trading in stocks and other investments.

Unlike many other markets you can trade on the Forex market at any time as it is always open. As with any industry there is terminology and language that is specific to that industry and you should understand all terms before beginning to trade. This is very important so you minimize your mistakes and misunderstanding and you’ll have less risk of losing your money.

The best way to start is to develop your own trading strategy and this will require quite a bit of research and looking at what is affecting the changes and causing trends.

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.