Advantages of Trading FOREX Over Stocks and Commodities
There are many advantages to Trading FOREX as your main income generator. Let's start by something that may be worrying you already.
"Do I need a Diploma or some kind of Certification to trade FOREX?" The answer is this:
When attempting to make more profit than losses on thefluctuation of exchange rates between major currencies(i.e., Trading the FOREX), nobody is going to ask you for adiploma, a formal license or verify the amount of hoursyou've spent studying the Foreign exchange market andbanking industry. All you need is the proper training.
But this is not the only advantage you get when trading FOREX, compared to other ways of investment and speculation; i.e. Stocks and Commodities. You have a whole bunch of advantages over these other options that will be enumerated in the following paragraphs.
The Main Benefits of Trading the FX Spot Market:
1): FOREX is the largest financial market in the world.
With a daily trading volume of over $1.5 trillion, the spotFOREX market can absorb trading sizes that dwarf thecapacity of any other market. In fact, when compared withthe $50 billion daily market for equities or the $30 billionfutures market, it becomes quickly apparent this gives you,and millions of other FOREX traders, almost infinite tradingliquidity and flexibility.
2): FOREX is a TRUE 24-hour market.
The FOREX Market never sleeps. Trading positions can beentered and exited at any moment - around the globe, aroundthe clock, six days a week. There is no waiting for anopening bell as in the case of trading stocks. It is a 24-hour, continuous electronic (ONLINE) currency exchange thatnever closes. This is very desirable for you if you want totrade on a part-time basis, because you can choose when youwant to trade: morning, noon or night.
3): There is never a Bear Market in FOREX.
You can have access to a seamless, mutually-inclusive (two-way) exchange of currencies. Meaning, because currenciestrade in "pairs" (for example, US dollar vs. yen or USdollar vs. Swiss franc), one side of every currency pair(for example, USD/JPY - JPY = YEN) is constantly moving inrelation to the other. Thus, when you buy a particularcurrency, you are actually simultaneously selling the othercurrency in that particular pair. As the market moves, oneof the currencies will increase in value versus the other.Of course, it is up to you to choose the correct currency tobe long or short. Since currency trading always involvesbuying one currency and selling another, there is nostructural bias to the market. This means you have equalpotential to profit in both a rising or falling market.
4): High Leverage - up to 200:1 Leverage.
You are permitted to trade foreign currencies on a highly leveraged basis - up to 200 times your investment with some brokers. This is primarily attributed to the higher levels of liquidity within the currency markets. Standard 100,000-unit currency lots can be traded with as little as 1% margin, or $1,000. Mini FX accounts are permitted to trade with just 0.5% margin -- in other words, just $50 allows you to control a 10,000-unit currency position. Futures traders,who are accustomed to margin requirements generally equal to 5%-8% of the contract value, will immediately recognize that the FOREX market provides much greater leverage, and for stock traders, who must post at least 50% margin, there's nocomparison. If you are looking for an efficient use oftrading capital, this is it!
5): Price Movements Are Highly Predictable.
Although currency prices in the FX market may be volatile,they generally repeat themselves in relatively predictablecycles, creating trends. The strong trends that foreigncurrencies develop are a significant advantage for traderswho use the correct "technical" methods.
Unlike stocks, currencies rarely spend much time in tighttrading ranges and have the tendency to develop strongtrends. Over 80% of volume is speculative in nature and, asa result, the market frequently overshoots and then correctsitself. As a technically-trained trader, you can easilyidentify new trends and breakouts, which provide formultiple opportunities to enter and exit positions.
6:) Commission-free Trading and Low Transaction Cost
When you trade FOREX, through one of our recommended brokers(this info is in our private resources section), you'll doit totally commission-free! These brokers don't chargecommissions to trade or to maintain an account, and thatgoes for all clients trading the FOREX through them,regardless of your account balance or trading volume. EvenMini FX traders can buy and sell currencies online,commission-free.
What about trading fees? There are none of the usual fees towhich futures and equity traders are accustomed -- noexchange or clearing fees, no N_F_A or S_E_C fees. Becausecurrencies trade over-the-counter (OTC), via a globalelectronic network -- in FOREX, what you see is what youget, allowing you to make quick decisions on your tradeswithout having to worry or account for fees that may affectyour profit/loss or slippage.
In the equities markets, you must pay both a commission andexchange fees. The over-the-counter structure of the FXmarket eliminates exchange and clearing fees, which in turnlowers transaction costs.
So, if FOREX broker don't charge commissions, how do theymake money? Like all traded financial products, over-the-counter currency trading involves a bid/ask spread, whichrepresents the prices at which your counterparty is willingto trade. Because the currency market offers round-the-clockliquidity, you receive tight, competitive spreads bothintra-day and night. Stock traders can be more vulnerable toliquidity risk and typically receive wider trading spreads,especially during after-hours trading.
7): Instantaneous Order Execution and Market Transparency.
Market transparency is highly desired in any tradingenvironment. The greater the market transparency, the moreefficient the market becomes. Unlike other markets wheretransparency is compromised (like in the Enron scandal),FOREX markets are highly transparent (i.e., analyzingcountries, and having access to real-time research / news,is easier than companies).
Because of this transparency, as an FX trader, you will beable to exercise risk management strategies in accordance tothe fundamental and technical indicators we teach atRapidForex.com
The FX market offers the highest level of markettransparency out of all the financial markets. Because ofthis, order execution and fill confirmation usually occur injust 1-2 seconds. Markets that do not offer executableprices and force traders to absorb slippage obviouslycompromise the trader's profit potential considerably.
In the forex world, order execution is all-electronic andbecause you'll be trading via an Internet-based platform,instantaneous execution is routine. There are no exchanges,no traditional open-outcry pits, no floor brokers, andconsequently, no delays.
Omar Vargas
Forex trader and freelance writer
http://www.1-forex.com