So, you think you are ready to trade? Make sure you read this section to learn how you can go about setting up a forex account so that you can start trading currencies. We'll also mention other factors that you should be aware of before you take this step. We will then discuss how to trade forex and the different types of orders that can be placed. Opening A Forex Brokerage Account Trading forex is similar to the equity market because individuals interested in trading need to open up a trading account.

Like the equity market, each forex account and the services it provides differ, so it is important that you find the right one. Below we will talk about some of the factors that should be considered when selecting a forex account. Leverage Leverage is basically the ability to control large amounts of capital, using very little of your own capital; the higher the leverage, the higher the level of risk.

The amount of leverage on an account differs depending on the account itself, but most use a factor of at least A leverage factor of This leverage also makes your margin, or the amount you have to have in the account to trade a certain amount, very low. Leverage is seen as a major benefit of forex trading, as it allows you to make large gains with a small investment.

However, leverage can also be an extreme negative if a trade moves against you because your losses also are amplified by the leverage. With this kind of leverage, there is the real possibility that you can lose more than you invested - although most firms have protective stops preventing an account from going negative. For this reason, it is vital that you remember this when opening an account and that when you determine your desired leverage you understand the risks involved.

Commissions and Fees Another major benefit of forex accounts is that trading within them is done on a commission-free basis. This is unlike equity accounts, in which you pay the broker a fee for each trade. The reason for this is that you are dealing directly with market makers and do not have to go through other parties like brokers.

This may sound too good to be true, but rest assured that market makers are still making money each time you trade.

Remember the bid and ask from the previous section? Each time a trade is made, it is the market makers that capture the spread between these two. If you are planning on opening a forex account, it is important to know that each firm has different spreads on foreign currency pairs traded through them.

While they will often differ by only a few pips 0. So when opening an account make sure to find out the pip spread that it has on foreign currency pairs you are looking to trade. Other Factors There are a lot of differences between each forex firm and the accounts they offer, so it is important to review each before making a commitment.

Each company will offer different levels of services and programs along with fees above and beyond actual trading costs. Also, due to the less regulated nature of the forex market, it is important to go with a reputable company. For more information on what to look for when opening an account, read Wading Into The Currency Market. If you are not ready to open a "real money" account but want to try your hand at forex trading, read Demo Before You Dive In.

How to Trade Forex Now that you know some important factors to be aware of when opening a forex account, we will take a look at what exactly you can trade within that account. The two main ways to trade in the foreign currency market is the simple buying and selling of currency pairs, where you go long one currency and short another.

The second way is through the purchasing of derivatives that track the movements of a specific currency pair. Both of these techniques are highly similar to techniques in the equities market. The most common way is to simply buy and sell currency pairs, much in the same way most individuals buy and sell stocks. In this case, you are hoping the value of the pair itself changes in a favorable manner.

If you go long a currency pair, you are hoping that the value of the pair increases. This pair rises when the U.

The other option is to use derivative products, such as options and futures, to profit from changes in the value of currencies. If you buy an option on a currency pair, you are gaining the right to purchase a currency pair at a set rate before a set point in time. A futures contract, on the other hand, creates the obligation to buy the currency at a set point in time.

Both of these trading techniques are usually only used by more advanced traders, but it is important to at least be familiar with them. For more on this, try Getting Started in Forex Options and our tutorials, Option Spread Strategies and Options Basics Tutorial. Types of Orders A trader looking to open a new position will likely use either a market order or a limit order.

The incorporation of these order types remains the same as when they are used in the equity markets. A market order gives a forex trader the ability to obtain the currency at whatever exchange rate it is currently trading at in the market, while a limit order allows the trader to specify a certain entry price.

For a brief refresher of these orders, see The Basics of Order Entry. Forex traders who already hold an open position may want to consider using a take-profit order to lock in a profit.

A trader could use a take-profit order, which would automatically close his or her position when the rate reaches 1. Another tool that can be used when traders hold open positions is the stop-loss order. This order allows traders to determine how much the rate can decline before the position is closed and further losses are accumulated. As you can see, the type of orders that you can enter in your forex trading account are similar to those found in equity accounts.

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Having a good understanding of these orders is critical before placing your first trade. If you want to read more, see these frequently asked questions How does the forex market trade 24 hours a day? Dictionary Term Of The Day.

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Sophisticated content for financial advisors around investment strategies, industry trends, and advisor education. Introduction to Currency Trading Forex Tutorial: What is Forex Trading? Reading a Forex Quote and Understanding the Jargon Forex Tutorial: Foreign Exchange Risk and Benefits Forex Tutorial: Forex History and Market Participants Forex Tutorial: When approached as a business, forex trading can be profitable and rewarding.

Find out what you need to do to avoid big losses as a beginner.

Forex Tester 3: trading simulator for backtesting. Best training software that will backtest your strategies. A prediction app for learning on how to trade on the currency market

Even though the odds favor stock trading, forex trading has several advantages to offer a particular type of investor. When trading in forex, all currencies are quoted in pairs. Find out how to read these pairs and what it means when you buy and sell them. Discover the best ways to find a broker who will help you succeed in the forex market.

Instead, a basic lack of knowledge on how to use leverage is at the root of trading losses. With the expected continued world volatility in the near future, there is a lot of money to be made in the forex market.

How can you make the most of it? We go over some of the things you need to understand before you can trade currencies. Traditionally, historical quotes on stocks and indexes were hard to come by for the general public, but this is no longer You may participate in both a b and a k plan.

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