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:

Iceland's Krona Currency Trading Halts as Kaupthing Taken Over
Bloomberg - Oct 9, 2008
By Bo Nielsen Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Trading in the Icelandic krona came to a halt after the government seized control of Kaupthing Bank hf, the nation's ...
Financial Crisis-hit Iceland draws up banking rescue plan Telegraph.co.uk
all 1,618 news articles


Stampede for Yen Saps Asian Currency Trading
Wall Street Journal - Oct 9, 2008
Meanwhile, hedging against foreign-exchange risk has become more difficult as options related to currency trading have become more expensive, Mr. Liu said. ...


Sify

MCX Stock Exchange begins currency trading
Sify, India - Oct 7, 2008
Mumbai: MCX Stock Exchange (MCX-SX) has recorded a turnover of Rs 287.49 crore with 59952 contracts valued at $1000 traded on the first day of currency ...


Sify

RBI, Sebi to relax currency trading norms
Hindu, India - Oct 1, 2008
Mumbai (PTI): The Reserve Bank of India and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) are in discussions to relax the currency trading norms, ...
India Working on Relaxing Currency Trading Rules, Bhave Says Bloomberg
RBI, SEBI mull easing currency-trading norms India Infoline.com
BSE Launches Currency Futures Trading TopNews
Thaindian.com - Thaindian.com
all 151 news articles


MICEX plans to open trading as normal on Mon.
RIA Novosti, Russia - Oct 10, 2008
MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - The Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange plans to begin trading as normal on Monday morning unless the Federal Service for ...


China Banks Cut Currency Trading With Foreign Lenders (Update1)
Bloomberg - Sep 26, 2008
By Judy Chen and Belinda Cao Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) -- China's banks are limiting foreign- exchange transactions with US and European financial companies on ...


Japanese Yen Likely to Gain as Currency Trading Crowds Buy USDJPY
Daily FX, NY - Oct 2, 2008
USDJPY – Our forex positioning indicator continues to forecast US dollar losses against the Japanese Yen, as we see that currency trading crowds continue to ...


Slow take-off for Zimbabwe’s foreign currency trading scheme
The Zimbabwean, Africa - Oct 2, 2008
After a slow take-off for the new foreign currency-trading scheme, a handful of shops started selling in US dollars or South African rands. ...


Currency Trading Signals Catch a Powerful Japanese Yen Rally ...
Daily FX, NY - Oct 2, 2008
Our Forex Trading signals accurately forecasted that the Japanese Yen would gain aggressively against the Euro, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, ...


WKRG-TV

Market turnaround
CNN - Oct 10, 2008
COMEX gold for December delivery rose $14.50 to $901 an ounce. In currency trading, the dollar gained against the euro and the yen.
Dow tumbles 7% CNNMoney.com
Stocks: 5-year lows WKRG-TV
A 5-year low WIBW
CNN
all 25 news articles

Currency-Trading - Google News

home | site map
© 2008