Forex Currency Trading

Derivatives of the Forex trading system are spot trading, futures trading, forwards trading, options trading and swap trades. Many inexperienced Forex traders tend to focus on spot trading. Spot transactions are over-the-counter transactions, handled outside of an organized exchange.

Spot Trading – Spot trading in the Forex trading system is what is termed Forex. A Forex currency trade is a simple simultaneous transaction that involves the exchange of one currency for another. Forex currency trades may be settled within 2 days, except in Canada where exchanges may be settled within one-day.

There are two parties and two positions with any trade. The party who delivers a commodity holds a short position. The party who receives the delivered commodity holds a long position. In other words, the seller holds the short position and the buyer holds the long position. There are no restrictions and limitations in Forex spot trading as long as there are parties willing to a trade and liquidity in the currencies being traded. Spot trades incur a transaction charge per trade called a margin or spread. A margin is calculated as the difference between the current bid price and the asking price.

Forwards Trading – A forwards trade is a trade in which the traded commodity has a date of delivery some time in the future. Typically, a forward contract may have a date of delivery one, two, three, six or twelve months into the future. Traders use forwards to take advantage of interest rate differences between countries and this difference is usually factored into the cost of a forwards trade. The value of a forward is determined by the difference in interest rates offered by the countries whose currency is involved in the trade. The cost of a forward may be higher or lower than the current spot price of a currency. When a higher price is charged for a forward, it is called a premium while a lower price is a discount.

Futures Trading – A futures trade is similar to a forward trade where a buyer and seller trade currencies for a predetermined price, at some time in the future. The difference between a futures and forward trade is that futures are traded on a regulated exchange and forwards are not. Futures trades incur round-turn commissions that are generally higher than the margins required for spot trading. You must make a deposit on futures to serve as a margin or bond for the trade. If market events indicate that a currency will increase in value over the term of a future, a lower price will have more worth when it is traded. The difference between the price for a future and the market price of currency is added or subtracted from the margin value. You must replenish any loss in margin in order to continue to hold a position in the trade.

Options Trading – Options are a form of currency trading where you are given the option to buy a specific amount of currency before a specified date. Options differ form forwards and futures because options give you the right to buy or not buy. Generally, traders will seek options when there is an indication of stability in currency exchange rates while speculators may assume the risk in hopes of making a profit. As a buyer, you are required to pay a premium for options and that premium is forfeited if you fail to exercise the option. Premium prices are established based upon how likely the market perceives that the option will be exercised. Premiums may be calculated as the difference between the current spot price and a future strike price or they may be involve more complex calculations, based on market conditions and the timeframe before the expiry date.

Options include both a call and a put. The right to buy currency is a call option while the right to sell currency is put option. The option to buy US dollars and sell Japanese yen, for example, is a yen call and dollar put. The price that the buyer agrees to pay is called the strike price or exercise price and the amount of currency that may be bought or sold is called the principal. Options may be purchased on an exchange or over-the-counter and then bought and resold. US style options are purchased on an exchange and have a strike price, expiry date and contract size. Options bought over-the-counter are bought in interbank. Options offered in the interbank market are usually European style options where the terms of the contract are negotiated between the seller and buyer.

Swaps – A swap is a combination of a spot and forwards trade. A swap involves the trade of currency on a specified date and an agreement to trade it back at a later date. A swap provides you with an alternative to borrowing foreign currency. If you need liquidity in a currency, you may swap for the needed currency. This involves a spot transaction to initiate a trade and a forward transaction to buy back the currency in the future. Large banks and corporations tend to favor swaps. Individual investors rarely engage in swaps.

A basic understanding of the foreign exchange market is not enough, at least when you are past the beginning stages of your trade. Constantly updating yourself is one of the best ways to guarantee higher chances of success and gain. In the trade of currencies, there are three basic factors that affect or regulate a fair currency exchange between two countries. One is the trade balance wherein the import and export flows are the determinants. Second is the based from the capital or funds flow between the two countries and third are the applicable inflation rates.

When doing this for the first time, it is best advised to choose the currencies that you are highly familiar with. This reduces the risk of having to blindly invest, since forex is not about gambling but a precise calculation of different types of analysis. After being familiar with a set of currencies, you can start trying the others as well. Remember not to be overconfident and only do so when you have mastered more than enough strategies to keep you making good decisions.

Forex trading involves the efficient use of tools, knowledge and experience acquired, and is matched with dedication, time and patience. Advice and training on the ins and outs of the forex market can provide a good groundwork for developing your own style. As a trader, you should learn not to rely solely on what others say, but have an opinion of your own based from facts. Becoming an expert trader cannot be acquired instantly, but once your hard work pays off, you can definitely start counting your gains.