The most frequent questions asked by new traders are: What is Forex Trading? And, How to trade Forex? The forex markets are the global currency markets accessed by traders via brokers. The difference between the Forex markets and the stock markets is that Forex pairs are not traded on a central exchange like stocks. Forex trading has expanded to include contracts for differences (CFDs) on other assets such as stocks, indices, and commodities, which should not be confused with actual stocks. While CFDs represent the underlying stocks, they have slight differences in that the CFDs can be traded when the actual stock market is closed.
The Forex market is one of the most liquid markets globally, with transactions exceeding 5 trillion dollars. Most of these transactions are made by large financial institutions such as central banks and top investment funds. Traders and investors account for a significant portion of the Forex trades executed each day, with most traders trading the EUR/USD currency pair.
Forex trading is the act of buying one currency while selling another by buying and selling currency pairs. For example, buying the EUR/USD currency pair means buying the euro while selling the US dollar. This principle applies to all currency pairs traded in the Forex markets. There are numerous currency pairs for traders to trade, including major and minor currency pairs and exotic pairs.
Forex trading steps
To invest in the Forex markets and become consistently profitable, you must follow a few steps to increase your chances of success. These steps are detailed below:
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Learn the fundamental principles of foreign exchange trading.
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Know how to predict prices based on support and resistance levels.
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Learn how to use the MetaTrader platform.
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Learn technical analysis, including how to use indicators and charts.
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Identifying the appropriate entry and exit points for specific currency pairs.
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Learn how to manage your risk to limit losses and maximise wins.
If you follow the above steps correctly, you will gain extensive experience trading the Forex markets and becoming a successful trader. Learning the above skills will help you trade multiple instruments since they are universal skills.
Advantages of forex trading or online trading
Trading the forex or foreign exchange market has many advantages that make it different from other investment markets. These factors are listed below and are why many investors prefer to trade these markets instead of traditional investments.
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Trading happens 24 hours, five days a week.
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You can start with minimal capital.
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The Forex markets have high liquidity.
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Traders can make profits from both rising and falling prices.
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You can trade from anywhere in the world at any time.
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Traders can practise trading on a demo account before moving to a real account.
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Forex trading allows for high leverage levels.
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Traders can trade a large selection of major and minor currency pairs.
Therefore, it is a very distinctive market for traders and investors from different countries worldwide as it has many advantages over other investment markets.
Online trading strategies
To achieve success in the forex market or the online trading markets, you must follow a consistent trading strategy aligned with your personality with an edge in the markets. There are numerous trading strategies used by investors globally, and the ones listed below are just a few of these strategies. They include:
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A price breakout strategy.
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The high to low trading strategy
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The Recovery Zone Strategy.
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Moving Average Indicator Strategies.
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Bollinger bands strategy.
Therefore, you must carefully examine and study the state of the markets from all angles. Most traders choose to focus on fundamental or technical analysis, with either strategy having its strengths and weaknesses. However, the best traders incorporate both strategies in their trading routine to maximise their trading results by increasing their profits and reducing their losses.
High-risk investment warning: Trading Foreign Exchange (Forex) and Contracts for Differences (CFDs) is highly speculative, carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You may sustain a loss of some or all of your invested capital, therefore, you should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading on margin. Any opinions, news, research, analysis, prices or other information contained in this presentation is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD corrects lower, returns to 1.1650
EUR/USD could not sustain an earlier move to fresh tops just above 1.1680 on Thursday, coming under fresh selling pressure and revisiting the mid-1.1600s in the latter part of the NA session. The pair’s correction comes in response to an acceptable bounce in the US Dollar.
GBP/USD attempts some consolidation near 1.3350
GBP/USD is alternating gains with losses near 1.3350 on Thursday. The Greenback’s attempts to recover aren't really sticking, upbeat data or not, as traders stay confident that the Fed will deliver a 25 bps rate cut at its final meeting of the year.
USD/JPY stays pressured near 155.00 on Fed-BoJ policy divergence
USD/JPY remains weak near 155.00 in the Asian session on Friday. The pair faces headwinds from expectations of the Fed-BoJ monetary policy divergence, which outweighs the fall in Japanese Household Spending in October. All eyes are on the delayed US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index data for September later on Friday.
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD bulls pause for a breather ahead of the US PCE Price Index
AUD/USD holds above 0.6600 in Friday’s Asian session, remaining close to yesterday's two-month high. Divergent RBA-Fed policy expectations support spot prices amid a broadly weaker US Dollar. However, bulls are pausing ahead of today’s key US PCE Price Index. Still, spot prices remain on track to register strong gains for the second consecutive week.
USD/JPY stays pressured near 155.00 on Fed-BoJ policy divergence
USD/JPY remains weak near 155.00 in the Asian session on Friday. The pair faces headwinds from expectations of the Fed-BoJ monetary policy divergence, which outweighs the fall in Japanese Household Spending in October. All eyes are on the delayed US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index data for September later on Friday.
Gold flat lines near $4,200 ahead of US PCE inflation release
Gold price (XAU/USD) trades on a flat note near $4,205 during the early Asian trading hours on Friday. Rising US Treasury yields and upbeat US jobs data cap upside for the precious metal. Traders might prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the key US inflation data. The US delayed the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index report for September, which will be published later on Friday.
XRP slides amid record on-chain activity, mixed technical signals
Ripple (XRP) is trading under pressure at the time of writing on Thursday, after bulls failed to break the short-term resistance at $2.22. The reversal may extend toward Monday’s low of $1.98, especially if risk-off sentiment persists in the broader cryptocurrency market.
Why the Fed may cut rates in December: Understanding the policy shift
The Fed has gone through a noticeable policy swing in recent months - from initiating a rate cut, to signaling a potential pause, and now shifting once again toward another cut in December. This has created understandable confusion among traders and investors trying to interpret the Fed’s reaction function.
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