What is Forex (learn forex online)

Introduction

The word "forex" is a contraction of the words "foreign exchange"; it is sometimes abbreviated further, and simply called "FX". Forex provides opportunities for speculation, and that is likely what stimulated your curiosity.

Forex is simply the trading of currencies. In its broadest sense, forex includes all commercial and speculative buying and selling of all the world's currencies, making it the largest market in the world. In a forex trade, one currency is purchased while another currency is simultaneously sold; in other words, one currency is exchanged for the one being bought. The term forex properly refers to all currency trading done anywhere in the world; however, in practice, and in the context of this website, the word is often used to refer specifically to the trading of currencies by speculators.

Astoundingly, the forex market has tripled in size from $1.1 trillion traded per day to $3.2 trillion per day in just over 10 years, and it has only been widely operating for about 20 years, according to the most recent Triennial Survey of the Bank for International Settlements. By comparison, all of the stock exchange activity worldwide is about $2.8 billion per day or about 10 times smaller.

Forex speculation involves risk, and inherent in risk is potential profit; the more at risk, the more potential profit.

The forex market is huge: truly a global marketplace, operating all the time, with just a brief cooling off period on weekends. Due to this size and global scope, prices can be observed and traded, but not easily manipulated.

Forex rates can be affected by events in your backyard or anywhere in the world. When such events affect the value of a currency, the currency value can often tend to trend in a particular direction for a period of time. Analysis of historical forex market action in light of current market conditions (known as technical analysis), possibly combined with consideration of global events and markets (fundamental analysis) can help the forex speculator gain insight into currency markets that might allow the trader to project future price movements. However, such insight and potential success in forex speculation requires experience, commitment, discipline and a perhaps a special type of intelligence, and will come only at an investment in time, experience and financial loss. forex trading is not for everyone, but it can afford an opportunity for excitement and profit for the right person.

Where Does Forex Trade?

Particularly for private speculators, forex trading occurs online. Most private forex traders participate from home or office, over their Internet-connected desktop or laptop computers. In fact, the Internet helps explain the dramatic growth of foreign currency speculation. Individual traders, perhaps just like you, all over the world can participate in this online market. Traditionally, futures and equities trading only occurred in established exchanges, where parties can meet and agree to a trade. Over time, these exchanges have become subject to stringent regulations to monitor and moderate activity. Forex is termed "off-exchange trading", or "OTC" (over-the-counter) as each party deals directly with each other, where ever they may be. With this freedom comes some risk, As well, it is subject to very limited regulations.

How Does the Forex Market Work?

Until the 1970's, and for the previous 100 years, the value of most currencies was tied in some way to the value of gold. In 1944 this "gold standard" was replaced by the Bretton Woods Agreement which valued the United States dollar against gold, and all other currencies against the US dollar. In 1975 that agreement fell apart and a system of floating exchange rates was widely adopted, leading to fluctuations in currency values in an open market-and laying the foundation for foreign exchange speculation.

Today, trading in foreign currencies by speculators usually takes place through a forex broker or dealer, who provides the trading platform to transact forex trades. Such trades occur in currency pairs, such as USD/JPY (United States Dollars/Japanese Yen). Note that two currencies are always involved in a forex trade, with one being purchased while the other is being sold.

The forex trader will generally hold the purchased currency (called a position) for a period of time, intending to profit when the prices of the two currencies change favorably. The transaction is completed, or the position is closed, when the opposite currency is bought and the other sold. Profit is calculated by the difference in the buying and selling price.

Different brokers offer different services, and traders need to be careful their broker is serving their best interests. Each broker provides demonstration or practice accounts, where a new trader can play with virtual money until they feel comfortable opening a real account. Analysis can be completed and orders are placed online, at the trader's request.

Why Trade Forex?

The profit potential is why participants enter the market. But why would a speculator choose to trade forex instead of equities or futures?
Forex offers several advantages over speculative trading in futures, stocks and other equities. Eight major currency pairs dominate most currency trading, so it is a much simpler market to follow for most traders. The vast majority of trades involve the United States Dollar, while the Euro, British Pound and Japanese Yen are also widely traded.

Although most currency speculation occurs between a relatively small number of currencies, many brokerages offer trading in a much wider range of less commonly-traded currencies.

Some prospective traders looking to participate in speculation are attracted by the low account balances required to open a forex account with some brokerages.