Forex, also known as foreign exchange, FX or currency trading, is a decentralized global market where the world buys and sells currency. The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average daily trading volume exceeding $5 trillion.
The foreign currency exchange offers an abundance of potential opportunities for veteran traders as well as those new to the markets. If you are searching for a target-rich environment for active trading, look no further than the forex.
* USD/ILS is only available for MT4 accounts.
The majors and the commodity pairs are the most liquid and most widely traded currency pairs in the forex market. These pairs and their combinations (EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY and EUR/GBP) make up the vast majority of all trading on the forex. Due to the fact they attract the largest volume of buyers and sellers, spreads are typically the tightest.
However, there are other currency pairs that allow you to take advantage of macroeconomic events in specific international markets, such as the USD/MXN (US Dollar/Mexican Peso).
| Symbol | Country | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| AUD | Australia | Dollar |
| CAD | Canada | Dollar |
| CHF | Switzerland | Franc |
| CNH | China | Yuan |
| EUR | Eurozone | Euro |
| GBP | Great Britain | Pound |
| JPY | Japan | Yen |
| MXN | Mexico | Peso |
| NOK | Norway | Krone |
| NZD | New Zealand | Dollar |
| SEK | Sweden | Krona |
| TRY | Turkey | Lira |
| USD | United States | Dollar |
| ZAR | South Africa | Rand |
The international currency trade furnishes participants with an unparalleled collection of opportunities. Given the depth and liquidity of the forex, it is possible to implement almost any viable strategy with maximum efficiency. From short-term intraday approaches to multi-session swing trading plans, profiting from periodic exchange rate fluctuations can become not only possible but probable.
Perhaps the single most beneficial attribute of the forex is flexibility. Unlike in more conventional trading modules such as stocks, forex trading profits are not limited only to buying low and selling high. You are able to make money from being either long or short a specific market, increasing the number of potential trading opportunities exponentially.
Whether your outlook on a currency is bullish or bearish, you have the ability to capitalise upon the idea. Buy low and sell high or sell high and buy low ― the forex does not limit your trading options or your money-making potential.
As it pertains to any business ― active trading or otherwise ― profit is the difference between gains and losses minus operating expenses. The beauty of forex trading is that quantifying profit is straightforward because expenses are limited, and gains and losses are easily accounted for.
The best way to manage profit is through regularly referencing your trading platform. Software suites such as Trading Station, Metatrader 4, ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader calculate gains and losses on a pip-by-pip basis. As the market moves, your account balance is updated automatically via the functionality of your platform.
At the end of the day, making money is the goal of any trader. With FXCM, you will always know your P&L, freeing up time for active trading.
If you are an active forex trader, then producing positive returns is your job. Fortunately, figuring P&L doesn't have to be an exhaustive task. All you need is your account currency, pair, trade size and opening/closing prices—the Profit Calculator does the rest.
When it comes to risk management in forex trading, it's all about pip value. Knowing how much your trade's pips are worth is key to not overextending your account. The Pip Calculator can help you do just that, automatically. In addition, it is always a good idea to know where your account stands in relation to utilised margin and brokerage requirements. While doing math longhand is a challenge, the Margin Calculator makes short work of even the most intricate positions.
One of the greatest advantages to trading forex in the modern era is access to technology that aids in the application of indicators such as Pivot Points. Pivot points are a go-to technical tool for traders interested in building unique support and resistance levels to use for market entry or exit. Whether you practice a Classic, Woodie's, Demark's, or Camarilla methodology, the Pivot Point Calculator can quickly generate a set of practical values.
One of the largest advantages to trading forex is the minimal amount of capital necessary to get started. Retail traders with limited resources are afforded access to the same markets as institutional participants. In fact, FXCM offers interested individuals the ability to begin trading with as little as $50.
Conventional financial wisdom suggests that it takes a lot of money to participate in the markets. That is the beauty of the forex ― you don't need to be a millionaire to trade. Utilize the potential of your risk capital.
Of course, as you gain experience in the markets, your goals and resources will often change. In order to cater to the needs of the evolving trader, FXCM offers a variety of account types. Rest assured that no matter your resources and trade-related objectives, FXCM can furnish an alternative designed to enhance your trading experience in the forex market.
FXCM is a global leader in the provision of forex and CFD market access. If you are an active trader or a newcomer anxious to get started, our award-winning service suite stands ready to help you achieve your goals in the marketplace.
In addition to these perks, all live account holders enjoy access to FXCM PLUS. Featuring proprietary analytics, FXCM PLUS has everything you need to maximize your performance in the ultra-competitive forex environment.
If you are an active trader, you can be eligible for different tier pricing. Learn More
With FXCM you pay only the spread to trade forex. Reduced pricing is available to high-volume investors.
It is our mission to provide you with the best trading experience. Explore our quality pricing, transparency and execution services.
Our proprietary trading platform provides powerful analytics tools for chart traders and straightforward capabilities for new traders.
1 Leverage: Leverage is a double-edged sword and can dramatically amplify your profits. It can also just as dramatically amplify your losses. Trading foreign exchange/CFDs with any level of leverage may not be suitable for all investors.
