Currency Trading Information

Forex Market Overview


"FX" is an abbreviation of "forex" or "foreign exchange." Foreign exchange is the largest and most liquid market in the world trading approximately $2 trillion every day (that's over 30 times the daily volume of NASDAQ and NYSE combined). The forex market is a cash interbank/interdealer market. In simplest terms, this means the foreign currencies traded in the forex market are traded directly between banks, foreign currency dealers and forex investors wishing either to diversify, speculate or to hedge foreign currency risk. The forex market is not a "market" in the traditional sense due to the fact that there is no centralized location for fx trading activity and, therefore, trades placed in the forex market are considered over-the-counter (OTC). Forex trading between parties occurs through computer terminals, exchanges and over telephones at thousands of locations worldwide. CFOS/FX clients can trade through online forex trading platforms and/or over the telephone directly with a forex broker on our trading desk.

Until recently the forex market has not been available to the small speculator. The large minimum foreign currency transaction sizes and financial requirements left this market in the hands of banks, major foreign currency dealers and the occasional large fx speculator. Now, with the ability to leverage large positions with a relatively small amount of capital (margin), the forex market is now more liquid than ever and available to most investors.

Five major currencies dominate trading in the foreign exchange markets: the U.S. Dollar, Eurocurrency, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and British Pound. The foreign currencies are traded in pairs, also known as crosses, in the forex spot market. For example, purchasing the EUR/USD in the forex spot market simply means the purchaser is buying the Eurocurrency and selling the U.S. Dollar in anticipation of the Eurocurrency gaining value in relation to the U.S. Dollar. Similarly, the seller of a EUR/USD contract would be selling the Eurocurrency against the U.S. Dollar. Official figures show the U.S. Dollar is on one side of 83% of all spot foreign exchange transactions. The "spot" market simply refers to a currency contract with a prompt valuation date requiring settlement within two business days.

Over the past several decades, an increase in international trade and foreign investment has made the economies of the world more interrelated. New opportunities for investors have also been created with the fall of communism and the dramatic growth of the Asian and Latin American economies. Today, supply and demand for a particular currency is the driving factor in determining exchange rates. Many factors such as regularly reported economic figures and unexpected news reports, such as disasters or political instabilities, could also alter the desirability of holding a particular currency, thus influencing international supply and demand for that currency. It should come as no surprise that many shrewd investors have already taken advantage of the fluctuation in exchange rates to profit handsomely.

John Nobile - Senior Account Executive
CFOS/FX - Online Forex Spot and Option Brokerage


MORE RESOURCES:

Top Currency Trading Ideas for the Week of June 30, 2008
Daily FX, NY - Jun 30, 2008
Expect a dollar rally to begin the week. This opportunity should be used to establish / add to long standing USD bearish positions. ...


EXCHANGE RATES | Upsurge continues in dollar, euro, pound vs rupee
The Post, Pakistan - 4 hours ago
LAHORE: Upsurge continued in the rates of major currencies including greenback, euro, pound sterling and the Australian dollar versus rupee in the open ...


My Top Seven Currency-Trading Tricks
Sovereign Society, FL - Jun 25, 2008
If you're a stock trader or an avid financial news junkie, then you already have an edge over other beginning currency traders. ...


Range-Based Currency Trading Signals Offer Attractive Setups in ...
Daily FX, NY - Jun 23, 2008
Market volatility edged lower through the past week of trade, suggesting that we may continue to see Rangebound market conditions through the near term. ...


Top 10 Currency Trading Tips From Deutsche Bank
Seeking Alpha, NY - Jun 15, 2008
In currency trading, as in any form of active investment, it is important to understand how you arrive at your investment decisions. ...
Strategies for Currency Investors Seeking Alpha
all 2 news articles


Top Currency Trading Ideas for the Week of June 16, 2008
Daily FX, NY - Jun 16, 2008
The EURUSD and GBPUSD appear to have finally bottomed for at least a few weeks. Near term, the pairs should advance slightly more before undergoing very ...


How to Trade DailyFX+ Currency Trading Signals in the Week Ahead
Daily FX, NY - Jun 9, 2008
... entering a period with larger currency price movements, forcing us to make fairly substantial shifts in our outlook for our currency trading strategies. ...


Top Currency Trading Ideas for the Week of June 9, 2008
Daily FX, NY - Jun 9, 2008
The USD will likely head to yearly lows against a number of currencies (except for the CAD) in the coming weeks and months. After the large moves last week, ...


Sify

Oil Prices Jump Over $143 Over Weak Dollar
AHN - Jun 30, 2008
In currency trading, the yen changed hands at 105.11 yen per US dollar in Asia. In late New York on late Friday, the Japanese currency was at 106.17 yen ...
Over $140 a Barrel Philadelphia Inquirer
all 2,451 news articles


Dollar gains in currency trading
Forbes, NY - Jun 23, 2008
AP 06.23.08, 4:27 PM ET The dollar rose against the euro and other currencies Monday as a new report suggested German business confidence fell in June, ...

Currency-Trading - Google News

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