Most investors are aware of the risks of investing in the stock market, as reflected by the many financial pundits who have warned for years that the world is heading for a major bubble. Those who want to play it safer must now look to the alternative investment markets such as the foreign exchange (Forex) market, which offers a safer and more profitable way to invest than the stock market.
Also known as currency trading or FX trading, Forex is one of the most liquid markets in the world. With nearly five million lots of contracts traded daily, it is among the largest markets in terms of quantity as well as price. Because Forex is such a liquid market, speculators can take advantage of small price fluctuations that may not be relevant to retail investors. Therefore, if you are looking for a more relaxed and less risky way to make money, you could consider forex trading
The Basics Of The Forex Market
The FX market is made up of currency pairs; for example, the Japanese yen (JPY) and the U.S. dollar (USD) are often used in combination. The underlying theory of currency pairs is that both sides are considered to be of equal value and can be used to purchase an equal amount of goods and services within the country of their origin.
Currency pairs are always quoted against each other in relation to a third currency, usually gold or the U.S. dollar. Although any two currencies can be used as the basis of a currency pair, the most popular currency pairs are those denominated in euros (such as the EURO and USD), yen (such as the EURO/JPY and USD/JPY), and the British pound (such as the GBP and USD).
The beauty of currency pairs is that, even though they are based on the value of different currencies, the demand for each currency remains relatively stable. This makes it easier for speculators to find short-term buying and selling opportunities, especially in the forex market where trading occurs almost exclusively on margin. Additionally, because the demand for currencies is stable, firms can raise the price of their stock a few percentage points without losing many customers. This is markedly different from the situation in the stock market, where rising stock prices cause the demand for shares to increase, leading to a drop in the value of the firm’s currencies to maintain equilibrium.
How Is The Forex Market Different From The Other Markets?
Although Forex is based on currencies, it is a bit different from other markets in that it does not represent any specific commodity. For example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a widely followed stock market index that is often used as a comparison to the forex market. However, the DJIA is not made up of any particular company and does not represent a single commodity or industry. The forex market on the other hand is made up of a basket of different currencies and is therefore more representative of the general demand for that type of investment at any given moment.
In addition, Forex is more accessible to individual investors. Whereas the DJIA is available only through financial institutions such as stock brokerage firms, the forex market is open to everyone. This is because individual investors do not need to be large institutions to participate in the market; they can utilize online brokers that provide access to the markets through technologically advanced platforms.
What is the Margin Rule in Forex Trading?
One of the major differences between the forex market and the other alternative investment markets is the margin rule. When traders buy stocks or other securities on margin, there is a credit line attached to the account which the brokerage firm provides to the stock market participant. The brokerage firm then shares in the profits (or losses) of the stock purchased on margin.
In Forex, however, individuals participate in the market mostly through credit cards or loans with their banks. This is where the term “margin” comes from, as traders often use their credit cards to buy currencies or use their bank loans to do the same. When they enter a position on margin in the forex market, they are essentially saying that they do not have enough money in their accounts to cover the cost of the position. This is known as “margin trading”.
Because of this, the margin rule in Forex allows retail and institutional traders to take on more risk than they would be able to if they were dealing with stocks or other securities bought with cash.
Types Of Positions Available
Another key difference between the forex market and other markets is the range of positions that can be taken. In many other markets, such as the stock market or the commodity markets, traders seek to profit from changes in the price of a specific commodity or stock. For example, if the price of gold rises in value, investors may seek to profit from that price movement by buying or selling gold futures or other derivative contracts.
In the case of currencies, however, traders can take on more versatile positions. Whereas in the stock market, traders might want to short sell a few stocks to take advantage of a price decline, in the forex market they can use a variety of instruments to make money from a rise in the price of a currency pair. They can also use many of the same strategies that are used in the stock market, but with currencies, the results may be more unpredictable.
Advantages Of The Forex Market
One of the major advantages of the forex market is the sheer amount of liquidity. Whereas other markets have more than one or two market makers that try to maintain a healthy spread, the forex market has more than five market participants that try to increase the volume of trades. Daily volume is so high in the forex market that there are sometimes more buys than there are sells, creating an imbalance that must be corrected by a market maker. This promotes quick, safe, and accurate price discovery, as well as promotes short-term buying and selling opportunities.
Another major advantage of the forex market is the variety of tools available to traders. Whereas other markets may have just one or two popular brokerage firms that offer online platforms and a few traditional tools, such as the STP® (Stop-Trade-Prevention) Radar that helps prevent market manipulation, the forex market has several popular platforms as well as many independent providers that offer similar types of services.
The variety of tools available to forex traders makes it a much more sophisticated market, especially when compared to other markets whose major players may be content with only a few, basic tools. The availability of advanced tools in the forex market makes it worth the while for sophisticated traders who want to cut down on the risk of entering into a position without the proper tools. In many cases, the use of tools can make the difference between a successful and a failed trade.
Disadvantages Of The Forex Market
Although the forex market has a lot to offer, it is still a very risky market to place large orders in. The reason is that you are giving up control over your capital, and you are relying on a third party to fulfill your order. In most cases, if that third party is unable to do so, you will lose your entire investment.
The lack of diversity in the products offered in the forex market is also a major disadvantage. Because currency pairs are typically based on a very limited number of currencies, traders may be reluctant to put on large positions without the assurance of a short-term profit. Additionally, because the volatility in the market is often extreme, you will need to have a high tolerance for risk to be successful. In some cases, large orders in the forex market can go unfulfilled if unexpected events occur that cause the price to fluctuate significantly. As a result, you may find it more difficult to exit a losing position in the forex market than in other comparable markets.
The key takeaway from the preceding discussion of the differences between the currency markets and the stock markets is that, although there are similarities, the two markets are very different and can’t be viewed as a simple alternative to one another. Forex is a very competitive market where any little edge can make a huge difference. It is important to remember that the majority of individual traders that participate in the forex market are doing so for profit, so expect all trades to be taking place with the intention of making a profit.