Online Trading Academy Team
Online Trading Academy
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Summary
With most trading instruments, you are usually buying or selling one security at a time. With Forex, you are actually trading two at a time! In this lesson we look at the mechanics behind spot Forex trading and also explain the various trading sessions that take place around the clock.
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Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD flat lines around 0.6700 as traders keenly await US NFP report
AUD/USD consolidates around 0.6700 during the Asian session on Friday as traders opt to wait on the sidelines ahead of the latest inflation figures from China. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the US NFP report, which will influence the Fed's rate-cut path and drive the US Dollar. In the meantime, the divergent Fed-RBA outlooks could act as a tailwind for the currency pair. At current levels, spot prices remain on track to end the week on a flattish note.
USD/JPY reacts little to Japan's Household Spending data as focus remains on US NFP
USD/JPY is trading with a positive bias for the fourth consecutive day, hovering near the top end of its weekly range, at around 157.00. Meanwhile, an unexpected rise in Japan's Household Spending keeps the door open for further policy tightening by the BoJ. This marks a significant divergence compared to dovish Fed expectations, which acts as a headwind for the US Dollar and might cap the currency pair ahead of the crucial US NFP report, due later today.
Gold edges lower as bulls opt to wait for the crucial US NFP report
Gold struggles to capitalize on the previous day's goodish move up from the vicinity of the $4,400 mark and attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Friday as bulls seem reluctant ahead of the US NFP report. The critical US employment details will offer more cues about the Fed's rate-cut path, which, in turn, will influence the US Dollar price dynamics and provide a fresh impetus to the non-yielding bullion. In the meantime, dovish Fed expectations and rising geopolitical tensions might continue to act as a tailwind for the XAU/USD.
XRP slides as institutional and retail demand falters
Ripple (XRP) is trading down for the third consecutive day on Thursday amid escalating volatility in the cyrptocurrency market. After peaking at $2.41 on Tuesday, its highest print since November 14 amid the early-year rally, XRP has quickly ran into aggressive profit-taking.
2026 economic outlook: Clear skies but don’t unfasten your seatbelts yet
Most years fade into the background as soon as a new one starts. Not 2025: a year of epochal shifts, in which the macroeconomy was the dog that did not bark. What to expect in 2026? The shocks of 2025 will not be undone, but neither will they be repeated.
Here’s what to watch on Friday, January 9:
The US Dollar (USD) posted decent gains, enough to maintain its optimism unchanged so far this year. Meanwhile, market participants remained cautious ahead of the release of the critical US labour market report at the end of the week.