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Featured Currency Trading Articles

Forex Trading Online - 7 Reasons You Should!
Copyright 2005 Keith ThompsonForex trading online is a fast way to use your investment capital to it's fullest. The Forex markets offer distinct advantages to the small and large traders alike, making Forex currency trading in many ways preferable to ...

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Why do hundreds of thousands online traders and investors trade the forex market every day, and how do they make money doing it? This two-part report clearly and simply details essential tips on how to avoid typical pitfalls and start making more money in ...

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Choosing A Forex Broker
 

With currency trading becoming ever more popular, the number of brokers is growing at a rapid rate. What should one look at when deciding which broker to open an account with? These are the important points to consider.


Spread


Because currencies, unlike futures and stocks, are not traded through a central exchange, the spread can be different depending on the broker you use, so it's well worth checking a few out before you open an account. Most forex brokers publish live or delayed prices on their websites so you can compare spreads, but check if the spread is fixed or variable. A fixed spread means exactly that - it will always be the same no matter what time of day or night it is. Some brokers use a variable spread, which might appear to be nice and small when the market is quiet, but when things get busy they can widen the spread which means the market must move more in your favor before you start to make a profit. Fixed spreads are generally slightly wider than the variable spreads are when at their narrowest, but over the long term fixed can be safer.


Execution


Some brokers will show live prices on their trading platform, but will they honor them when it comes to pushing the Buy or Sell button? The best way to find out is to open a demo account and give them a test drive. This will also give you the opportunity to see what the speed of execution is like - when you want to buy, you want to buy now, not sit around waiting for ten minutes whilst your order is confirmed!


Trading Platform


Good trading software will show live prices that you can actually trade at, not just indicative quotes. It will offer Limit and Stop orders, and ideally will let you attach these to your entry order. One-Cancels-Other orders are another useful feature - they mean you can set up your trade and then leave the software to get on with it. And the most important feature of all - can you actually understand the platform? Having all the bells and whistles is of no use if you can't use them, so again, get a demo account and give it a go.


Support


Forex is a 24 hour market, so your broker should offer 24 hour support. You might not be trading at 3am, but that could be what time it is in your brokers head office on the other side of the planet, so make sure there will be somebody there to pick up the phone if things go wrong. You should also check if you can close positions over the phone - essential in case your PC or internet connection crash at a critical moment.


Backing


Finally, before opening an account do a little homework and find out about the company. Forex brokers are regulated, but that doesn't mean they all have equal backing. If the market collapses, you want to know that they've got the reserves to cope with it and will still be around when you decide to withdraw your cash. If a broker is elusive when it comes to questions about their parentage and financial backing, then steer clear.


In Conclusion


Choosing a forex broker isn't difficult, but don't rush the decision. Check out a few, and always get a demo account first to make sure you're happy with the way everything works before sending off your opening balance.






Geoff Turnbull is a full time day trader, and a contributor to http://www.forexheaven.com







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Currency Trading News


Maktoob Business (press release)

Dollar Posts Weekly Gain as Stock Plunge Spurs Haven Demand
Bloomberg - Nov 21, 2008
“It’s all about risk in this emotional market,” said Jacob Oubina, a currency strategist at FOREX.com, a unit of online currency trading firm Gain Capital ...
Traders Renew Appetite for Risk as Obama Names Treasury Secretary International Business Times
Yen Advances as Drop in Stocks Reduces Appeal of Carry Trade Bloomberg
Yen Trades Near Three-Week High on Signs US Recession Deepens Bloomberg
Bloomberg - Bloomberg
all 332 news articles

AFP

WSJ(11/11) Currency Trading: Bad Crop: Commodity Currencies
Alibaba News Channel, NEW YORK - Nov 11, 2008
When commodity prices fall, it translates into a shock for the trading position of commodity-exporting nations. Suddenly, the price they earn for their ...
Value Plays in Equity Markets Help Support Euro Rally International Business Times
Euro firms against dollar, pound sinks amid credit turmoil AFP
Yen Falls To New Multi-Day Lows Against Majors RTT News
Bloomberg - Reuters
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Movers: Citi, GM, GAP, Dell, Wal-Mart
BusinessWeek - Nov 21, 2008
Forex Club Try trading Forex today with a free 5000 demo account OR start trading live and get a $100 bonus. Try Currency Trading Learn to Trade FX with a ...

Runaway FX turnover growth tamed by crisis
guardian.co.uk, UK - Nov 21, 2008
London's position as the global hub of currency trading was cemented with figures in April from the Foreign Exchange Joint Standing Committee (JSC) showing ...

Currency Trading Markets Remain Highly Correlated to Dow Jones ...
Daily FX, NY - Nov 18, 2008
Currency trading markets continue very highly correlated to broader risky asset classes, as the common theme of financial market deleveraging creates strong ...
Currency Trading Markets Remain Highly Correlated to Dow Jones ... Daily FX
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Dependence of economy on Forex
BigNews.biz (press release), MA - 22 hours ago
Generally, trading of natural resources such as gold, silver and currency trading are undertaken through the process of forex. It also involves foreign ...

Americans’ ’Hypocrisy’ in Auto Rescue Spurs Me-Too Trading Ire
Bloomberg - Nov 21, 2008
One of the Americans’ biggest gripes involves Japan’s currency, which they claim is kept artificially cheap against the dollar. The Automotive Trade Policy ...