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Saturday, December 30, 2006

Forex Trading - Understanding Forex Charts

By David Shephard

For the majority of Forex traders their trading strategy will be based very largely on technical analysis. This means, amongst other things, that the Forex trader must have a sound knowledge of technical analysis and, in particular, an ability to read charts.

Price charts are used to convey information about Forex prices at specific time intervals, which can range from as little as one minute up to several years. Prices can either be plotted as simple line charts or price variations can be plotted for each time interval to produce a bar or candlestick pattern.

Line charts are particularly suitable for giving a broad overview of price movements. They are normally plotted to show the closing price at each chosen time interval and they are easy to read and clearly define patterns in price movements.

Although not quite as easy to read, bar charts provide far more information. The length of each bar is used to indicate the price spread for a given period, with long bars indicating a large variation between high and low prices. Opening prices will be shown on the left tab of a bar and closing prices on the right tab so that you can see at a glance whether the price has risen or fallen and just what the variation in price was. When printed out bar charts can be difficult to read but most software charts will have a zoom function which makes reading closely spaced bars much easier.

Candlestick charts, which were invented by the Japanese to analyze rice contracts, are similar to bar charts but are easier to read as they are color-coded. Green candlesticks are used to show rising prices and red candlesticks to show falling prices.

When reading candlestick charts the candlestick shapes viewed in relation to one another form various patterns according to the price spread and the proximity are opening to closing prices. Many of these patterns have been given names such as ‘Morning Star' and ‘Dark Cloud Cover' and once you become familiar with these patterns it is easy to pick them out on a chart and to identify trends in the market.

To supplement the information provided by charts a number of technical indicators are also used. These include trend indicators, strength indicators, volatility indicators and cycle indicators and all of these are used to anticipate movements in the market and market volume.

The most commonly used Forex technical indicators include:

Average Directional Movement (ADX). ADX is used to determine whether or not a market is entering an upward or downward trend and just how strong the trend is.

Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MACD). MACD shows the momentum of a market and the relationship between two moving averages. When, for example, the MACD line crossings of the signal line it indicates a strong market.

Stochastic Oscillator. The stochastic oscillator indicates the strength or weakness of a market by comparing a closing price to a price range over a period of time. A high stochastic indicates a currency that is overbought while a low stochastic points to a currency which is oversold.

Relative Strength Indicator (RSI). RSI is a scale from 0 to 100 which indicates the highest and lowest prices over a given time. When prices rise above 70 the currency is considered to be overbought while a price below 30 would indicate a currency which is oversold.

Moving Average. Moving average is the average price for a given time when compared to other prices during similar time periods. For example, the closing prices over a 7 day time period would have a moving average equal to the sum of the 7 closing prices divided by 7.

Bollinger Bands. Bollinger bands are bands that contain the majority of a currency's price. Each band consists of three lines - the upper and lower lines indicate the price movement with the middle line showing the average price. In conditions of high volatility the gap between the upper and lower bands will widen. If a bar or candlestick touches one of the bands then it will indicate either an overbought or an oversold condition.

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Friday, December 29, 2006

The Nuts and Bolts of Online Forex Trading

BY Tony Hosea

The evolution of the foreign exchange trading in the 1970’s brought about different strategies that cope up to fast evolving phase of the market. One of the latest innovations is currency Forex online trading.

One can earn as much money and make a fortune by trading online. Trading doesn’t stop as long as monetary supplies are available. It is being dictated by several currencies that rise and fall against one another. There are 164 currencies and varies from Euro, Dinar, Ruble, Pound, Franc, Real, Yen, Peso, etc. A known fact is that the top currency in the Forex trading is US Dollar. Over $1.5 trillion US dollars are traded regularly. It is also notable that the currency trading leads all other kinds of trading.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to Forex online trading. To start with, here are some of the advantages:

1. Forex currency online trading eliminates the barriers that traditionally exist in other markets. Broker’s ability to trade at the right time is not restricted.

2. Trading can be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

3. The availability of the computers and internet allows for a real time transaction that is more rapid.

4. Lack of discipline by most traders can be eliminated by the use of systems in online trading. Losses which are the results of poor trading methods by certain traders are minimized.

5. Maximum profits are achieved by just following the technicalities of online trading. Once traders gained skills in online trading, they can be assured of stability and good market whether any currency falls or rises.

6. Online trading is accessible anytime and in any place. Traders can save a lot of money and time because middlemen are not required in any transactions; thus commission is omitted. All that is needed is an internet connection; traders can even work at home.

8. A wealth of information regarding Forex currency trading is available via the internet. A right timing for buying or selling a profitable currency can be done with just a click of the mouse. Traders can update themselves and monitor sudden changes in the exchange rate by a technical chart which contains information about the rise and fall of currencies.

As it seems, there are many advantages in trading online, however, there are also certain drawbacks such as:

1. There is an immense quantity of information about online trading that has to be analyzed and learn.

2. Complicated online systems are expensive and can eat all of the investments.

3. Some of the systems are highly technical. It will take time for traders to get used to certain systematic approach to trading.

4. Bad online trading system can prolong transactions thus can lead to unsatisfied or loss of good trading clients.

5. In the absence of middlemen, traders are doing transactions on their own; they may be carried away with the trend. No one will advise them whether buying a particular currency is profitable or not.

In engaging in Forex currency online trading, several important aspects should be taken into account. It is essential to understand the whole trading system. How will one follow and transact in trading if he doesn’t know the discipline involved in it?

Another important factor is the online system one chooses to have good trading methods and faster access to target market. Choosing a fitted system can lead to a win-win situation to both the traders and their market.

Good management of money is also vital in Forex trading. Shortage in cash is one of the reasons why one trading company may incur losses and eventually goes bankrupt.

There are certain drawbacks in online Forex trading but one can get rid of these by choosing the best system. Changes are inevitable and adaptation to advance techniques is a sure means to survive in the trading industry.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro you'll discover the best Online Forex Trading tips, tricks, and techniques as well as valuable tools, resources, and information at http://www.tradingknowhow.com

Monday, December 25, 2006

Forex Trading: Avoid Bruises by Donald Brown

Forex trading involves a highly competitive, fragile and volatile market. Starting out in forex trading can be like stepping into a china shop with your pet bull on a leash. Sooner or later there's going to be a commotion and someone just might get bruised.

If you're a beginner in the forex market, you'll need to prepare yourself in order to survive, let alone become successful. The twenty-four hour forex market is the world's most high-risk market, with incredibly high trading volumes. Decisions must be made in split seconds, and there is no room for weaklings.

It is essential to master the different terminologies, concepts and processes that are involved in forex trading. An educational investment in these diverse and complicated areas will give arm you with the tools and confidence you'll need to succeed in the currency trade. More importantly, this training will allow you to understand whether or not you are out for this highly volatile trade. This is an important decision to make, and should be made honestly and early in your career. There is no point in starting out in your trading career by losing money on forex markets, only to decide later to move on to mutual funds, stocks or commodities trading. Succeeding in forex trading does require intense training. Beginners need to learn how to chart and analyze market movement, and determine the entry and exit points. This is an extremely important skill to acquire, as every forex trader's future depends on his or her ability to control order flows. Forex trading means knowing when to buy and when to sell. When studying forex trading, you'll also learn about margins, bids, order types, rollovers, leveraging and other trading basics. Be sure that you know all of this before entering the market. There is nothing more embarrassing than being at the center of the action and not understanding a common trading term.

Trading philosophies should also be studied before entering into forex trading. Strengthening certain psychological traits like discipline, commitment, patience and risk management, will help your to better handle the certain pressures of trading.

There are several ways to get acquainted with the skills and knowledge required for forex trading. Live seminars, trading books, online webinars and subscription services can all offer the training you need. Each training method has its own advantage, so be sure to research your options and choose the one that meets your needs. Live seminars deliver vital information on a one-to-one basis. Trading books provide a wealth of information that you can easily refer to anytime you need it. Online courses provide 24/7 access to trading knowledge. It's up to you to decide which method suits you best.

The forex trading market is like a vast, unsettled ocean; there are a lot of sharks in there, and you're either going to sink or swim. Train yourself well and you will have a better chance of success.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Learn how not to lose money on forex by Andrew W. Keynes

In an almost ridiculous manner that seems to conflict with logic and reason - forex revenues can really be generated only after initially learning how to lose. A famous singer once sang: "You've got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em".

In this article, I would like to cover the "fold 'em" part. Almost all beginner traders probably will raise an eyebrow, yet learning how to lose is the key to learning how to win.

Let's just say you have already taken that course and read all the background material you could come up with. Incessantly, you went over every word, and as quickly as possible, too. With your mortgage in mind, you decide to wire $2500 to your broker. Your self-directed account is already set up, and you're opting for no forex broker advice. Advice - who even needs it, right? You have your secret weapon: a trading manual that came along as a free gift with the course! You are about to funnel some serious cash from this huge market right into you bank account!

Monday morning. You call in sick so you could kick off your forex trading career. With yesterday's lack of sleep in consideration, working today would have been too tough of a nut in any case. You glimpse through your material one more time, a few minutes prior to opening bell. You plan on trading the E-mini today. The bell rings, and you are off. You are looking to trade the opening gap, that's on page 13. We all know how this one ends... In your mind you have already made the millions, when actually you have mislaid almost 50% of your investment, merely since you lack the appropriate money management skills. This is the most hopeful state of affairs, as many times rookie traders who dive right into the forex pool quickly find themselves completely broke. The proper way to do this would of course be learning the market from head to toe and only then starting with a mini-lot. My advice to you is to consult your broker before any major investment or move.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Top Ten Tips on Choosing a Forex Broker by Jim Smith

Choosing the right Forex broker for you is part of any successful Forex trading strategy. This guide will walk you through the essential information you ned to know.

1. Customer Service
How easy is it to contact the Forex broker's customer service?
Does the Forex broker have online chat, email, and/or telephone customer service?

2. Account Size
What is the required minimum balance to open a trading account?
What is the minimum trade size required by the Forex broker?
If there is unused equity, does it earn interest whilst in your trading account?
Is it possible for you to trade a different standard lot size traded?

3. Transaction Execution
How quickly does the Forex broker execute orders?
Can the Forex broker provide you with automatic execution?
At what point can you request a quote?
If the Forex broker does not agree with your trading style will you be placed on manual order execution?


4. Forex Broker Regulation
Will your trading funds be insured and kept separately from the Forex broker's operating funds?
Is the Forex broker regulated? Which authority regulates the Forex broker?

5. Trading Margin
What is required margin of the Forex broker?
Is the required margin different for standard and mini accounts or the same?
Does the margin ever change? For example, is the required margin different at weekends or dependent on the currency pair being traded?

6. The Spread
How tight is the spread?
Is the spread larger for mini accounts or the same as the spread for standard accounts?
Is the spread variable or fixed?
Does the spread change when news announcements are made? If so by how much?

7. Forex Broker Commissions
Does the Forex broker charge commissions or is the spread alone how the broker makes their profit?

8. Transaction Slippage
What is the usual slippage in a normal and a fast moving Forex market?


9. Trading Platform
How many different currency pairs are you able to trade with the Forex broker's platform?
If you want to use an automated trading system doe the platform include an Application Programming Interface (also known as an API)?
Does the Forex broker's trading platform operate reliably and consistently during news announcements or when a market is moving fast?
What additional features does the trading platform include? For example, trailing stops, mobile trading?

10. Trading Rollover Policy
In order to interest on an overnight position does the Forex broker have any additional conditions or requirements?
In order to earn interest on an overnight position is a specific minimum margin required by the Forex broker?

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Forex Trading Without A Philosophy Is The Road To Ruin

By David Shephard

If you are entering the world of Forex trading for the first time then you may well be starting to trade in the belief, as stated on almost every Forex website you visit, that trading offers a "risk free" profit and "high returns" for a "low investment". Well, there is certainly a grain of truth in these claims, but they do paint a somewhat simplistic view of trading which, in reality, is a little bit more complicated.

For most novice traders it is a case of opening an account and then diving straight into trading and, at this point, most newcomers make two mistakes. The first is to begin trading without any clear strategy for the trading decisions that they are making and the second is to let emotion rule their decision making. They pick a currency pair which they feel offers an opportunity for profit and jump straight in afraid that if they don't act now the opportunity will pass them by. They then watch as the market moves against them and close out their position in panic, only to then see the market recover. They've made their first loss and are probably far from happy.

Within the Forex market there are five major trading groups - governments, banks, corporations, investment funds and individual traders. Each of these groups has its own very specific set of objectives and more importantly, with the exception of individual traders, has a very specific set of rules and guidelines for trading and is held accountable for the trading decisions it makes. This leads to very disciplined trading and, more often than not, is why the larger trading groups are so successful.

To succeed in Forex trading the individual trader, having taken the time to study the currency markets and to learn the ins and outs of foreign exchange trading, must adopt a very disciplined approach to trading and must trade to a clearly defined strategy and philosophy.

Trading decision should never be based upon emotion and should only ever be made on the basis of a trader's knowledge and experience and a sound analysis of current market conditions. In particular a trader needs to apply his technical knowledge to the analysis of charts and to carefully and clearly plot out the points at which he will both enter and exit each individual trade. Doing this will not only maximize his profits but, most importantly, it will minimize his losses.

There are certainly substantial profits to be made in the Forex markets by individual traders but, to achieve these profits, two things are required. The first is a knowledge of the Forex market which can only be gained through study and experience. The second is a clear trading philosophy which gives a firm sense of direction to your trading decisions.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

The Benefits Of Using Online Forex Trading

By Ricky Lim

In the past, forex trading was difficult for many individuals as the foreign exchange trading was only permitted for large financial institutions such as banks, big stock brokering companies and such. There was no place for the small investor.

With the advent of computers and the Internet, a new medium has emerged which allows anyone to dabble in forex trading and that is online forex trading.

There are currently numerous sites that offer online forex trading as well as stock trading. These are usually operated by forex trading companies who have professional forex traders to assist you if you are new to forex trading.

Some online forex trading sites also provides a trading starter kit if you open an account with them. Some provide home study courses on forex trading, some even provide training simulators to simulate the actual forex trading procedures. This can be a great new for newbies to learn the trades.

Since forex trading goes on 24 hours a day, your account is managed by professional forex brokers which will help you watch the forex market. It gives you the assurance that your investment is being safeguard.

Another benefit is that it is easier to get access to the latest data and analysis from online forex trading sites. Typically, they will update the stocks and prices in real time. Plus, most sites have a forum or have a live online chat system where you can consult with forex brokers and other investors as well. It is a fast and easy way to contact your forex broker should you need help.

I love online forex trading as it allows me to have access to the latest data analysis right from the comfort of my home. I’m also able to do transactions any time of the day and have access to professional forex brokers anytime. So give it a try.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Introduction to Forex Trading


by John Chen


Although most people outside of the financial world consider the New York Stock exchange to be the pinnacle of financial trading, it is the Foreign Exchange Market that is the true leader. The Forex Market, as this currency exchange is known, has a volume of around 1.5 trillion United States dollars daily. This staggering amount is over one hundred times larger than the volume of the NYSE.

The market is world wide. It is what is known as an "interbank" market where trades are conducted OTC (over the counter), which means they take place directly between the parties involved in the trade rather than through a central exchange. The main centers for the Forex market are located in Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Frankfurt and London. This allows the market to operate virtually 24 hours a day. Put simply, the Forex market is based on trading the currency of one country for the currency of another country. The ratio of the value of one currency to the other rises and falls, and this ratio is what fuels the market. The trades consist of the simultaneous buying of one currency, for example, United States Dollars (USD), and the selling of another, i.e. The European Euro (EUR).

The most important market in Forex trading is called the "spot market" because trades are executed at once, or "on the spot". There are other elements of Forex trading, such as futures trading, and Forward Outrights, which are slightly more complex than spot trading.