With terms like uptrend and downtrend, pips, zero-sum game, and Bull and Bear markets, the lingo alone in the Forex market can cause some people to run away screaming. Understand, though, that any new avenue you explore is going to have unusual scenery. Once you comprehend the small things and learn the lay of the land, you will begin trading for dollars. This article can put you on the right track.
The first step in becoming a Forex trader is to find a broker. Without a broker you can’t get into the market to begin trading. Your broker should charge a reasonable commission on your profits. Also take into account the minimum and maximum amount the broker will let you deposit or withdraw at any one time.
Try not to become convinced by popular opinion or what a friend thinks is going to happen in the market. You should study the market and use your analysis to determine where you want to invest your money. Sometimes, you may get lucky with a tip, but solid analysis will win out in the long run.
If you don’t understand a currency, don’t trade in it. Understanding the reasons behind why you are making a trade are paramount to a successful trade. A trade may look profitable from the outside, but if you don’t understand the reasons behind it, you could lose out. Learn your currency pairs before risking money in the market.
When you get into forex market trading, first learn to read action in currency prices directly. There are many complex analytical tools and indicators available to forex traders. When you are starting out, though, it is better to get a feel for the raw action of the market. Leave the tricky formulas alone until you get experienced.
To protect the money you invest in the forex market you can use a margin stop. Rather than tracking some feature of the market, the margin stop is tied to your account. You set a certain percentage of your initial capital, and if your total investment portfolio loses that percentage of its value your margin stop order cuts off all trading. This can preserve the core of your investment if your strategy turns sour.
Think about the risk/reward ratio. Before you enter any trade, you must consider how much money you could possibly lose, versus how much you stand to gain. Only then should you make the decision as to whether the trade is worth it. A good risk/reward ratio is 1:3, meaning that the chances to lose are 3 times lower than the chance to gain.
Even more so than with other investment opportunities, forex is not a place to park money that a trader cannot afford to lose. Emotion is the enemy of the successful forex trader, and it is impossible to overcome emotion when the trader is using capital that he or she needs to pay bills and living expenses.
It’s unfamiliar territory to be sure, but Forex is a landscape you can learn with the right information and the right focus. Use what you’ve learned in this article to your advantage and begin by informing yourself fully on the market in general before you attempt to invest your capital. Start slow and then grow.
