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Forex Versus Futures
The origins of today's futures market lies in the agriculture markets of the 19th century. At that time, farmers began selling contracts to deliver agricultural products at a later date. This was done to anticipate market needs and stabilize supply...

How Does the Exchange Rate Exactly Works?
The exchange market mechanism can be pretty confusing for a person who doesn't have specialised knowledge in this area. The connection between the exchange rate of a currency and its trade deficit may seem like an undecipherable mystery. In order...

Why is it more profitable for an Indian to take up Work At Home Business?
I am writing this article to help all fellow Indians understand the fundas of working at home. How can you work at home and make money online? And how do you, as an Indian resident advantage more from it. You must ofcourse have guessed it by...

Work from home with e-currency
Are you one of the many people who have spent countless hours searching for unique ways to make money on the internet or trying to make money working at home? Very few people have succeeded at doing so, and most have failed miserably time...

Your Guide to Learning a Forex Trading System
There are a great number of people in America that are interested in investing in order to make a tidy profit. There are many ways to invest and many ways to make profits by investing. One method that has been gaining in popularity is that of...

 
Impress Your Date with Forex Trading Lingo



As in any new skill that you learn, you need to learn the lingo...especially if you wish to woo your love's heart. You, the newbie, must know certain terms like the back of your hand before making your first trade. Some of these terms you've already learned, but it never hurts to have a little review.

Major and Minor Currencies

The seven most frequently traded currencies (USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD, and AUD) are called the major currencies. All other currencies are referred to as minor currencies. Do not worry about the minor currencies, they are for professionals only. Actually, on this site we will only be covering what we call the Fab Five (USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, and CHF). These pairs are the most liquid and are the only currencies we actually trade.

Cross Currency

A cross currency is any pair in which neither currency is the U.S. dollar. These pairs exhibit erratic price behavior since the trader has, in effect, initiated two USD trades. For example, initiating a long (buy) EUR/GBP is equivalent to buying a EUR/USD currency pair and selling a GBP/USD. Cross currency pairs frequently carry a higher transaction cost. The three most frequently traded cross rates are EUR/JPY, GBP/EUR, and GBP/JPY.

Base Currency

The base currency is the first currency in any currency pair. It shows how much the base currency is worth as measured against the second currency. For example, if the USD/CHF rate equals 1.6350, then one USD is worth CHF 1.6350. In the Forex markets, the U.S. dollar is normally considered the "base" currency for quotes, meaning that quotes are expressed as a unit of $1 USD per the other currency quoted in the pair. The primary exceptions to this rule are the British pound, the Euro, and the Australian dollar.

Quote Currency

The quote currency is the second currency in any currency pair. This is frequently called the pip currency and any unrealized profit or loss is expressed in this currency.

Bid Price

The bid is the price at which the market is prepared to buy a specific currency pair in the Forex market. At this price, the trader can sell the base currency. It is shown on the left side of the quotation.



For example, in the quote EUR/USD 1.2812/15, the bid price is 1.2812. This means you can sell on U.S. dollar for 1.2812 Euros.

Ask Price

The ask is the price at which the market is prepared to sell a specific currency pair in the Forex market. At this price, you can buy the base currency. It is shown on the right side of the quotation.



For example, in the quote  EUR/USD 1.2812/15, the ask price is 1.2815. This means you can buy one U.S. dollar for 1.2815 Euros. The ask price is also called the offer price.





The spread is the difference between the bid and ask price. The "big figure quote" is the dealer expression referring to the first few digits of an exchange rate. These digits are often omitted in dealer quotes. For example, the USD/JPY rate might be 118.30/118.34, but would be quoted verbally without the first three digits as "30/34".

Quote Convention

Exchange rates in the Forex market are expressed using the following format:



Base currency / Quote currency        Bid / Ask

Transaction Cost

The critical characteristic of the bid/ask spread is that it is also the transaction cost for a round-turn trade. Round-turn means both a buy (or sell) trade and offsetting sell (or buy) trade of the same size in the same currency pair. In the case of the EUR/USD rate of 1.2812/15, the transaction cost is three pips.



The


formula for calculating the transaction cost is:



            Transaction cost = Ask Price - Bid Price

Pip

A pip is the smallest unit of price for any currency. Nearly all currency pairs consist of five significant digits and most pairs have the decimal point immediately after the first digit, that is, EUR/USD equals 1.2538. In this instance, a single pip equals the smallest change in the fourth decimal place, that is, 0.0001. Therefore, if the quote currency in any pair is USD, then one pip always equal 1/100 of a cent.



One notable exception is the USD/JPY pair where a pip equals $0.01.

Margin

When you open a new margin account with a Forex broker, you must deposit a minimum amount with that broker. This minimum varies from broker to broker and can be as low as $100 to as high as $100,000.



Each time you execute a new trade, a certain percentage of the account balance in the margin account will be earmarked as the initial margin requirement for the new trade based upon the underlying currency pair, its current price, and the number of units traded (called a lot). The lot size always refer to the base currency.



For example, let's say you open a mini-account which provides a 200:1 margin or .5% margin. Mini-accounts usually trade mini-lots which are $10,000. So if you were to open one mini-lot, instead of having to provide the full $10,000, you would only need $50 ($10,000 x .5 = $50).

Leverage

Leverage is the ratio of the amount used in a transaction to the required security deposit (margin). It is the ability to control large dollar amounts of a security with a relatively small amount of capital. Leveraging varies dramatically with different brokers, ranging from 10:1 to 400:1.

Margin + Leverage = Possible Deadly Combination

Trading currencies on margin lets you increase your buying power. If you have $5,000 cash in a margin account that allows 100:1 leverage, you could purchase up to $500,000 worth of currency because you only have to post one percent of the purchase price as collateral. Another way of saying this is that you have $500,000 in buying power.



With more buying power, you can increase your total return on investment with less cash outlay. But be careful, trading on margin magnifies your profits AND losses.

Margin Call

All traders fear the dreaded margin call. This occurs when your broker notifies you that your margin deposits have fallen below the required minimum level because an open position has moved against you.



Trading on margin can be a profitable investment strategy, but it is important that you take the time to understand the risks. You should make sure you fully understand how your margin account works. Be sure to read the margin agreement between you and your broker. Talk to your broker if you have any questions.



The positions in your account could be partially or totally liquidated should the available margin in your account fall below a predetermined threshold. You may not receive a margin call before your positions are liquidated (the ultimate unexpected birthday gift).



Margin calls can be effectively avoided by monitoring your account balance on a very regular basis and by utilizing stop-loss orders (discussed later) on every open position to limit risk. For ease of use, most online trading platforms automatically calculate the profit and loss your open positions.



About the author:

Scottie Pippin is a professor from BabyPips.com's School of Pipsology. BabyPips.com is a free, funny, and easy-to-understand guide for teaching beginners how to trade in the foreign exchange market.

 

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  • 5 reasons to trade forex instead of stocks

  • 6 ways to buy real estate without a deposit

  • advantages of trading forex over stocks and commodities

  • advice for international investors on how to safeguard their profits

  • all the truth around e currency

  • american blind pools

  • an explanation of forex trading

  • an informative forex broker review

  • an open invitation to frustrated forex traders that desire unlimited success in the market part 1

  • ask for more you may get it

  • assessing the opportunities presented by the new iraqi currency

  • avoiding forex related frauds and scams

  • avoiding forex related frauds scams

  • a beginners guide to forex

  • a comprehensive forex broker register

  • a guide to swiss banking part 1

  • a guide to swiss banking part 2

  • a informative forex broker review

  • a look at forex market makers

  • a look at online forex brokers

  • a new and better way for pensions

  • a new and better way with pensions

  • a review of automated forex brokers

  • a short introduction to forex

  • bankers banks the role of central banks in banking crises

  • beginning forex how are lots traded what the heck is a pip

  • benefits of forex trading

  • bollinger bands

  • business and the forex

  • buying your tax haven corporation

  • choosing a forex broker

  • choosing a forex strategy

  • choosing ecurrency exchange training courses what should you look for

  • choosing the right forex broker

  • comments on forex trading account sizes lots and margin calls

  • currency trading an introduction

  • currency trading finding your niche

  • currency trading for internet profits

  • currency trading getting wealthy from currency trading program

  • currency trading how big is this thing

  • currency trading is not the monopoly of the nerds and the geeks

  • currency trading the future of investment

  • currency trading tips for beginners

  • currency trading understanding the basics of currency trading

  • day trading forex market behaviour

  • discover an effective forex trading system

  • discover the biggest trading investing online mistake

  • dont be a victim of cybercrime

  • dxout e currency exchange program and free training

  • emotions a traders worst enemy get rid of fear and greed youll be glad you did

  • energy prices inflation and forex

  • example of a profitable transaction in forex

  • export to america

  • e currency exchange scam

  • e currency exchange trading

  • e currency if forest gump was here this is what he would be doing

  • e gold investing make money with currency trading

  • e gold investments investing smartly with e currency exchange

  • factors influencing a currency pair exchange rate

  • fear and the profitable forex trader

  • financial trading so many markets so little time

  • five reasons you have to start forex trading

  • forexinterbank forex trading course for day traders and small investors focusing on forex pivot point trading

  • forex 101

  • forex 101 make money with currency trading

  • forex and daytrading

  • forex and the anatomy of an elliot wave

  • forex basics make money with money part 1

  • forex benefits of trading the forex market

  • forex benefits over futures

  • forex brokers

  • forex brokers helping to maximize your success

  • forex broker commissions

  • forex broker involvement optional

  • forex capital markets and foreign exchange transactions

  • forex currency trading basics

  • forex day trading

  • forex expertadvisor mechanical trading systems what every trader should know

  • forex glossary

  • forex made easy for everyone

  • forex market offers opportunity and information

  • forex online trading an introduction

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  • forex profits

  • forex scams how to spot them a mile away

  • forex signal services

  • forex trading

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  • forex trading best practices

  • forex trading can be like day trading

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  • forex trading for the little guy

  • forex trading how to create fantastic wealth from forex trading

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  • forex trading margin usage and introduction to hedging

  • forex trading online 7 reasons why you should

  • forex trading online 7 reasons you should

  • forex trading opportunities for individuals

  • forex trading platform

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  • forex trading strategies

  • forex trading the perfect forex trading system

  • forex trading tips

  • forex trading understanding commissions spreads and trading costs

  • forex training follow your gut or your broker

  • forex versus futures

  • forex versus stocks

  • forex what is it and how does it work

  • forex why psychiatrists make better traders than expert economists

  • generate traffic and make money

  • getting a forex trading education

  • gods diplomacy international trade and the macedonian economy

  • going global

  • gold heading to 1 000 an ounce 13 reasons why this can happen

  • gold miningstocks com reports industry expert forecasts for gold stock investment strategies

  • goodbye multi level marketing and hello e currency exhcange

  • go public young cfo go public

  • hawala or the bank that never was

  • hawala or the bank that never was part i

  • home based business opportunity secrets of success in home based business opportunity exposed

  • honest business opportunity or fraud

  • how bollinger bands can tell you what the forex market will do next

  • how can i make money currency trading

  • how does foreign exchange affect your business

  • how does forex compare to other investment markets

  • how does the exchange rate exactly works

  • how do other countries devalue their currencies

  • how is forex trading at home possible

  • how i quickly doubled my money

  • how many forex order types there are and how to use them in your favor

  • how to choose a forex broker

  • how to choose wisely a forex broker

  • how to make big profits with currency trading systems

  • how to profit from ben bernanke a volatile federal reserve

  • how to save money on your overseas property purchase

  • how to sell hobby items by mail

  • how to start trading the forex market

  • how to start trading the forex market part 2

  • how to start trading the forex market part 3

  • how to start trading the forex market part 4

  • how to start trading the forex market part 5

  • how to trade currency

  • if you start your own home business what sort of business would you choose

  • impress your date with forex trading lingo

  • income opportunities for adventurers

  • index

  • interested in forex trading

  • internet marketing vs forex currency trading

  • introduction to bollinger bands a great help in forex trading

  • introduction to forex

  • introduction to forex trading

  • introduction to fundamental analysis forex

  • investing how to profit using formulas

  • investing in forex or investing in stocks understand the benefits and risks of each market

  • investing vs trading who cares anyway

  • investments short term or long term

  • investment formulas what purpose do they serve

  • investors what separates the good traders from the bad traders

  • is forex trading better than stocks

  • is my money safe on the soundness of our banks

  • is our money safe part ii

  • is there any money left in currency trading

  • is this really a recovery

  • is trading e currency a legitimate business

  • learn by hands on forex trading demo accounts vs mini accounts

  • learn currency trade intro to the forex market

  • learn forex

  • learn forex trading a guide for beginners

  • managing bank liquidity in real time

  • managing the forex accounts for you

  • mazu e currency exchange

  • mazu e currency exchange home business

  • mazu e currency exchange program

  • mazu e currency program and sports arbitrage trading reviewed

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  • money laundering in a changed world

  • money laundering in a changed world part ii

  • money smart homeowners use this mortgage strategy every time

  • moving averages basics and how they help forex traders

  • my most recent experiences about e currency exchange trading

  • new business real life dollars buy in game currency

  • new forex trading system gives average traders the edge

  • new opportunities with forex trading

  • online forex

  • online forex trading

  • online shopping the joy of online shopping

  • on the soundness of our banks

  • open source erp for smes

  • option arbitrage in the forex market

  • pivot points in forex mapping your time frame

  • poor mans access to foreign currency trading

  • real life dollars buy virtual game money

  • return on investment guidelines

  • rotator

  • secrets to potentially making money in the forex markets

  • sending signals for trading in forex

  • short introduction to elliot waves as a resource in forex trading

  • should you use a private wealth management broker

  • some reasons why you should trade forex and two important forex concepts you must know

  • start making serious money in the forex market this year

  • staying out of trouble with ebays listing policies

  • stocks or foreign exchange which one

  • stock markets of the world

  • there are real live people behind currency trading

  • the 6 advantages forex trading has over other investments

  • the basics of forex

  • the benefits of trading the forex market

  • the best time to day trade the forex market

  • the china bubble

  • the day trade forex system how to choose an online forex brokerage firm

  • the duty of a forex market maker

  • the forex market explained

  • the forex trading system

  • the history of forex trading

  • the importance of developing your own forex trading system

  • the key to protecting your money

  • the meaning of forex price charts and how to use them

  • the miracle of forex

  • the money jar trap

  • the new world currency

  • the opportunity in exporting

  • the seven most traded currencies in forex

  • the top four forex brokers

  • the uses in forex trading of moving averages and macd

  • three important forex concepts for new traders

  • three reasons to start derivatives trading

  • three reasons why forex trading is great

  • top 10 scams

  • to be or not to be a psychological currency trader

  • trading analysis the big mac

  • trading currency through online forex brokers

  • trading forex to advance your financial position

  • trading profitably on the foreign exchange market

  • trends and profitable trading in the forex markets

  • trying forex trading with the best strategy and approach

  • two great advantages of forex trading

  • two great forex indicators bollinger bands and fibonacci retracements

  • two reasons why many people participate in forex trading

  • welcome to the world of forex trading

  • whats fibonacci forex trading

  • whats the 382 fibonacci ratio in forex trading

  • whats the difference of trading mini lots vs full sized lots in forex

  • whats the fuzz about e currency trading

  • what is a forex broker

  • what is a forex market maker

  • what is forex

  • what is forex trading

  • what is rollover interest in the forex market

  • when is the best time to take your company public

  • wheres the money

  • where to get forex training

  • why demo fx account performance is often better than real account performance

  • why is it more profitable for an indian to take up work at home business

  • will a falling dollar derail your plans for retirement

  • word of mouth marketing examples part three

  • work from home with e currency

  • yes you can start trading forex for free

  • your guide to learning a forex trading system

  • your guide to successful forex trading

  • your mother could make money in forex trading