Blog Image

Forex Trading Explained For Beginners: A Step-by-step Guide

Is forex trading profitable? Are you new to forex trading? If so, then you are in the right place. In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide on the basics of foreign exchange.

We will dive into how to start forex trading, developing a strategy, trading hours, and more important things.

WHAT IS FOREX TRADING?

Forex trading, or foreign exchange trading, involves exchanging one currency for another. It's a highly active global market where individuals, companies, and banks collectively engage in approximately $6.6 trillion worth of forex transactions daily.

While some currency exchanges serve practical purposes, profit is the primary motivation for most forex trading participants.

The immense volume of daily currency conversions can lead to significant price fluctuations in certain currencies, making it important to understand the potential volatility before entering the world of forex trading.

Profitability in the forex market depends on whether you have a good strategy and your skills as a trader.

KEY FOREX TRADING TERMS

Spread - The spread is the pip difference between the ask and bid prices, reflecting the costs of brokerage services instead of transaction fees.

Pip - A pip represents the smallest alteration in an exchange rate.

Quote - A quote is a market rate consistently comprising two numbers: the initial represents the bid/selling price, and the second denotes the ask/buying price.

Ask price - The ask price, or the offer price, is on the right side of a quote and signifies the rate at which you can purchase the base currency.

Bid price - It is the value you can sell a currency pair.

HOW TO START FOREX TRADING

Now that you know what forex trading is all about, let us look at the steps to beginning your forex trading journey.

  1. Learn about the forex world: Although not overly complex, engaging in forex trading demands specialized knowledge and that you have a solid commitment to continuous learning.
  2. Establish a brokerage account: To begin your forex trading journey, opening a forex trading account through a brokerage is essential. Numerous brokers facilitate forex trading. We will look at some of the popular ones in this article.
  3. Create a trading strategy: While it's challenging to consistently predict market movements, having a trading strategy will aid you in establishing broad guidelines and a clear roadmap for your trading endeavors.
  4. Maintaining a vigilant eye on your finances: Daily reviewing of your positions is advisable once you initiate trading. Most trading software already offers daily trade summaries. Ensure you have no pending orders and sufficient funds for future trades.
  5. Work on your emotional stability: Starting in forex trading can be emotionally turbulent and leave you with unanswered questions. Develop the discipline to close positions when necessary to manage your emotions effectively.

FOREX BROKERS

A forex broker is a financial services business that grants you access to a platform to purchase and sell foreign currencies.

The term "forex" is a contraction of "foreign exchange," all transactions within this market involve the exchange of two distinct currencies.

Through the services of a forex broker, you initiate a trade by purchasing a currency pair and finalize the trade by selling the same pair. To illustrate, if you seek to convert euros into US dollars, buy the EUR/USD pair, effectively trading euros for US dollars.

You sell the pair to close the trade, converting their US dollars into euros. If the exchange rate is more favorable when you close the trade, you profit; otherwise, you incur a loss.

It is essential for a beginner to pick the best forex trading company. The best companies offer low spreads and low latency, allowing you to maximize your profits.

UNDERSTANDING CURRENCY PAIRS

A currency pair quotes two distinct currencies, with one currency's value compared to the other's. The first currency in the pair, or the base currency, is weighed against the second currency, the quote currency.

Currency pairs express the value of one currency in terms of another, indicating how much of the quote currency is required to get a unit of the base currency. Currencies are identified using ISO currency codes. These are three-letter alphanumeric symbols used in the international market. For example, the ISO code for the US dollar is USD.

Currency pair prices are quoted based on their bid (buy) and ask (sell) prices. The bid price is the rate at which a forex broker buys the base currency in exchange for the quote or counter currency. Conversely, the ask price, or the offer, is the rate at which the broker sells you the base currency for the quote.

When trading currencies, you exchange one currency for another, unlike trading commodities or stocks, where you use cash to acquire units of those assets. Economic indicators such as interest rates, economic growth, and gross domestic product (GDP) affect currency pair prices.

One of the most heavily traded pairs worldwide is EUR/USD, representing the euro against the US dollar. This pair is exceptionally liquid due to its high trading volume

In the quote EUR/USD = 1.1500, one euro equals 1.1500 US dollars. Here, EUR represents the base currency, and USD represents the quote currency. Essentially, 1 euro can be exchanged for 1.15 US dollars or $115 for 100 euros

The number of currency pairs fluctuates with the changing landscape of currencies globally. Currency pairs are categorized based on their daily trading volume. Major currencies are those that trade extensively against the US dollar.

FOREX TRADING HOURS

The forex market operates around the clock on weekdays, enabling you to engage in trading opportunities anytime, day or night. Understanding the market's operating hours is crucial, as it helps you identify optimal trading times based on the four key trading sessions.

The most favorable trading times coincide with periods of high activity when numerous forex traders are actively entering and exiting positions, resulting in substantial trading volume.

These four major trading sessions in the forex market are the Sydney session, the London session, the Tokyo session, and the New York session.

FOREX TRADING STRATEGY

We can categorize forex trading strategies into two main approaches: manual and automated methods for generating trading signals. In manual systems, traders actively monitor computer screens, search for trading signals, and make buy or sell decisions based on their interpretation.

On the other hand, automated systems involve traders developing algorithms that autonomously identify trading signals and take trades. This removes human emotions from the equation and can potentially boost performance.

A trader must have clear entry and exit plans for a successful strategy. You also need to manage your risk. Risk management is important because it determines how long you can survive in the market without blowing your account.

Moreover, your strategy should have set goals. You should know when to close your trades.

For your strategy to work, you must strictly follow all its rules. This discipline will determine whether you make a profit or not.

PROS AND CONS OF ONLINE FOREX TRADING

Here are some of the pros and cons of online forex trading:

Pros

  1. The forex markets boast the highest daily trading volume globally, ensuring ample liquidity for traders.
  2. This liquidity facilitates swift entry and exit from positions in major currencies, typically with minimal spreads, even in most market conditions.
  3. Forex trading operates around the clock, five and a half days a week, from Australia's opening to New York's closing. This extended trading window offers traders numerous opportunities to profit or mitigate losses
  4. Forex trading permits substantial leverage, enabling traders to amplify their starting capital rapidly.
  5. Forex trading shares similarities with traditional trading but requires lower initial investment, making it more accessible than stock trading.
  6. Unlike traditional stock or bond markets, The decentralized nature of the forex market minimizes the risk of manipulation through insider information.

Cons

  1. Leveraged trading can introduce significant volatility to forex trades.
  2. Leverage ratios, often reaching 50:1 or higher with some brokers, must be used judiciously to avoid substantial losses, especially for inexperienced traders.
  3. Successful forex trading necessitates a deep understanding of economic fundamentals and indicators. Traders must comprehend the interconnectedness of various countries' economies to grasp the factors influencing currency values.
  4. Due to their decentralized structure, Forex markets are less regulated than other financial markets. The degree and type of regulation vary depending on the trading jurisdiction.
  5. Forex markets do not offer instruments that provide regular income, such as dividends, which may not appeal to investors seeking consistent returns.

CONCLUSION

Forex trading requires dedication and a strong will to learn. You can commence your forex trading journey today by following the steps above.

New to forex trading? Learn the basics and start trading with Phase Market Forum. With Phase Market Forum, you get fast connections and top-notch liquidity. Moreover, Phase Market Forum has access to quotes that were once exclusive to high-net-worth individuals. Don't miss out!