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For anyone looking to get into forex trading, it is essential first to understand the fundamentals of this market. This article will explore key concepts you must grasp before trading currencies.
So, if you’re new to forex or want a refresher on the basics, read on.
What is forex?
Forex is an abbreviation for Foreign Exchange and refers to buying or selling one currency in exchange for another. The forex market is the world’s most enormous and liquid financial market, with a daily turnover of US$4 trillion.
How does forex trading work?
When you purchase a currency pair, you acquire the base currency while selling the quote currency. For example, if you buy EUR/USD, you are buying euros and selling US dollars. If the price of EUR/USD goes up, the euro has appreciated against the US dollar, and you will profit from your trade. Conversely, if the price of EUR/USD goes down, the euro depreciates against the US dollar, and you will lose your trade.
Forex trading is always done in pairs, as you buy one currency and sell another simultaneously. The most popular currency pairs to trade are EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF. These pairs are also known as the “majors.” There are also several less traded currency pairs, known as the “minors” or “exotics.”
In forex trading, you can buy or sell a currency pair anytime. There is no central exchange where trades occur, like in other markets such as stocks or commodities. Instead, currencies are traded 24 hours a day, five days a week, across a network of banks, dealers, and brokers. This means that you can trade forex any time of day or night.
The benefits of trading Forex
One of the main pros of forex trading is its high liquidity. This means that there is always a large amount of currency available to be bought or sold, and it is easy to find a buyer or seller for your trade. It also means that prices can change quickly in response to news events or economic data releases.
Another advantage of forex trading is its leverage. Leverage allows you to control a more significant amount of currency with a smaller amount of capital. For example, if you have $1,000 in your account and use a leverage of 100:1, you can trade $100,000 worth of currency. While this can help to amplify your trading position, it also magnifies your losses if the market moves against you.
How to start trading forex
If you want to start trading forex, the first step is to open a trading account with a broker that offers forex trading. You can then deposit funds into your account and start trading.
Most brokers offer a demo account which you can use to practise trading before you start using real money. Demo accounts are a great way to learn about forex trading without risking your capital.
When you are ready to start trading with real money, it is crucial to trade responsibly and only risk what you can afford to lose. Remember, leverage can work both ways – it can magnify your advantages and losses.
So, always use stop-loss orders and take-profit orders to limit your losses and lock in your profits.
Forex chart analysis
One of the essential tools in a trader’s toolkit is technical analysis. Technical analysis studies past price data to identify trends and patterns that can be used to predict future price movements.
Charts are the most commonly used tool for technical analysis, and many different types of charts can be used to trade forex. The most popular charts are candlestick charts and bar charts.
When looking at a chart, you should always be aware of the trend. The trend is the overall direction of the market, and it can be either up, down, or sideways. Identifying the trend can help you to make better-informed trading decisions.
Trading strategies
There are many different forex trading strategies that traders can use when tradingthrough Saxo Bank to try to find opportunities in the market. Some common strategies include:
-Trend following
-Scalping
-Range trading
-News trading
-Carry trading
