Currency Forex Market Trading - A Brief Guide For You

By Brian Lamonte

Activity in currency Forex market trading has been exploding in recent years. The growth in outsourcing of manufacturing has made currency trading essential. Major corporations that do business overseas must hedge their transactions against wide currency rate fluctuations to protect their profits. Central banks buy and sell currencies in an effort to maintain global price stability. Commercial banks and financial institutions must trade in this this market in order to service the needs of their customers. Traders with a high tolerance for risk also buy and sell in an attempt to make profits.

One of the biggest advantages to trading in the foreign exchange market is the liquidity it provides. There is also buyers and sellers and large turnover. It has been said that liquidity can help make a market trade with more stability. During 2008 the daily activity was over 3 trillion dollars. The volume is growing by double digit percentages each year. Transactions are done OTC which means there is a lot of interaction in this market.

The largest center where currency trading takes place is London. A smaller percentage is handled in New York. Hong Kong and Singapore also have small trading centers. Trading from one center to another overlaps so that transactions can be completed 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

The prices that we pay for every product we buy on a day to day basis is affected by the fluctuations in the currency markets. If raw materials are imported to make products in a local factory, the of the price of the finished product will reflect the differences in exchange rates. When you visit another country the purchasing power of your currency will move up and down.

Speculators attempt to profit in currency Forex market trading. They may have a good feel for what moves the markets and try to capitalize on that move by applying their skills in currency Forex market trading. Currencies are always traded in pairs. The U.S. dollar trades with the Swiss franc. The euro is paired with the dollar. The British pound is paired with the dollar and the 4th major pair is the dollar and the Japanese yen.

The currency listed first in the pair is called the base currency. We will either buy this currency or sell it based on the market conditions. We will use a chart that plots the prices of the two against each other. Suppose we are trading the pound and dollar. Moving up means that the pound is advancing on the dollar. Moving down obviously is the reverse.

Only those people who have a high level of knowledge and tolerance to risk should become active in currency Forex market trading. It is not for the faint of heart. One factor that can substantially increase the risk of trading in this market is the use of leverage. The financial institution that will handle your account will only ask for a small amount to start with. They will loan you money so you will be trading with borrowed money. This can be a major advantage or a nightmare depending on your level of skill.

The most important reason for currency Forex market trading to the individual, is obviously to come out of each trade with more money in your pocket than you went in with. Having a good idea of what factors may cause fluctuations in prices either up or down is essential. The old adage of buying low and selling high works with currencies just like with any other security or commodity. However it doesnt matter whether prices moving up or down with the correct trade a profit can be made. - 29971

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