In the past, only big shots like financial institutions, fund managers, and rich people could participate in forex trading. But thanks to the internet, it’s now possible for just about anyone to get in on the action and start trading currencies online.
However, it’s important to remember that forex trading is not without its risks. In fact, studies show that more than 75% of new traders end up losing money. While there are certainly some benefits to forex trading, especially for experienced traders, it’s important to be aware of the potential downsides, particularly if you’re just starting out.
So, if you’re interested in forex trading, stick around to learn more about the pros and cons of this exciting but sometimes volatile market.
What is Forex?
Forex or FX market is a fancy term for the foreign currency exchange market, the biggest capital market in the world. The forex market averages more than $5 billion in daily turnover, which is a lot more than what the U.S. stock market can boast of, with only $260 billion in daily turnover.
The forex market is different from other markets in that currencies trade in pairs. The first currency in a pair is called the base currency, while the second currency is called the counter currency. When you trade a currency pair, you’re basically taking a position on the exchange rate of that pair by agreeing to buy one currency and sell another.
Unlike when you buy stocks or commodities, taking a position in a currency pair means you’re both long one currency and short the other in the pair simultaneously. If you sell the base currency, you’re effectively selling it against the counter currency, and if you buy the base currency, you’re using the counter currency for the purchase.
Trading in the forex market is straightforward because there are no stock splits or dividends to deal with, unlike in the equity market. However, you do have to consider the interest rate differential between the currencies if you hold positions overnight or trade for delivery on dates outside the traditional spot value date.
The forex market is primarily driven by geopolitical events, central bank rate decisions, and major economic data releases that are relevant to a particular currency pair. These factors make currencies more accessible to research than stocks, bonds, or commodities.
The Pros of Forex Trading
If you’re looking to enter the financial markets, forex trading is one of the most accessible and potentially lucrative options. Here are ten reasons why:
1. Easy Account Opening and Demo Trading
Getting started with forex trading has never been easier. With as little as $1 and an internet-connected smart device, you can open a forex trading account from anywhere in the world. Most brokers also offer free demo accounts that you can use to practice trading and test their trading platforms.
2. Leverage and Quick Profits
Forex trading allows you to leverage your positions up to 1000:1, giving you the potential for substantial profits. While retail traders in the U.S. are limited to leverage ratios of 50:1 for major currency pairs, forex positions can still generate quick profits that are immediately available for withdrawal.
3. No Uptick Rules and Both Long and Short Positions
Unlike in some stock markets, forex trading doesn’t have uptick rules that prevent you from going short. You can freely buy or sell currency pairs, taking both long and short positions simultaneously by going long or short the base currency against the counter currency. This gives you more flexibility in your trading strategies.
4. Unmatched Liquidity and Central Bank Oversight
The forex market has unparalleled liquidity, making it easy to enter and exit positions quickly. Additionally, central banks oversee the markets in their national currencies, ensuring stability and reducing the risk of sudden market movements. Even during special circumstances, such as the release of major economic data or geopolitical events, the forex market can still maintain its liquidity.
5. Difficult to Manipulate
The size and depth of the forex market make it difficult to manipulate, even for large corporations and hedge funds. National central banks may intervene to mitigate sharp market movements in their currencies, but even they can have difficulty influencing the overall market.
6. Favorable Trading Costs
Compared to other markets, forex trading costs are often lower, especially for major currency pairs. Tight dealing spreads help to reduce trading costs, while minor and exotic currency pairs may have wider spreads that increase costs.
7. Tax Deductible Losses
If you’re a U.S.-based forex trader, you may be able to deduct all your trading losses for a given year. According to the Internal Revenue Code, forex traders can be taxed as futures and options traders, and under the 60/40 rule, gains and losses can be treated as long-term or short-term capital gains. Check with your accountant to determine which tax plan works best for you.
8. Automated Trading
Many online forex brokers support trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 or 5, which allow you to automate your trading with expert advisor (EA) software. This feature can help you save time and improve your trading strategy.
9. 24/7 Trading
The forex market is open 24 hours a day, from 5 p.m. EST on Sunday to 5 p.m. EST on Friday. Different trading sessions correspond to major global money centers and can provide varying levels of liquidity in certain currency pairs. For example, currency pairs with the Japanese yen, Singapore dollar, and Australasian currencies tend to be more liquid during the Tokyo trading session.
10. Lower Overhead
With high liquidity and lower trading costs, forex trading typically has lower overhead than other financial markets. Forex trading is usually commission-free, and you only need to pay the dealing spread. You can start trading forex with an internet-connected device and a small amount of risk capital to use as a margin deposit.
Cons of Forex Trading
Forex traders can face some adverse conditions that can make successful trading more challenging than it looks at first. Before you jump into forex trading, here are some cons to keep in mind:
1. The Potential for Extreme Volatility
Forex traders hoping to make quick profits may be exposed to sudden and unexpected market volatility that can make it difficult for their trading strategies to be profitable. While all markets can be volatile at times, the forex market is no different, and traders must stay up-to-date on the latest market conditions to avoid potential losses.
2. The Influence of Major Players
The vast majority of trading in the forex market is done by large financial institutions such as banks and hedge funds. These players have access to more information and technology, giving them an advantage in setting prices and influencing market movements. Traders need to be aware of this reality and keep up with the latest market changes to ensure their trading is profitable.
3. Limited Regulatory Oversight
The forex market is an over-the-counter market, which means that trades are not carried out on a centralised exchange, and regulatory oversight is often limited. As a result, traders need to be careful when choosing a broker and conduct a “due-diligence” investigation to ensure their broker has a good reputation and trading practices. Additionally, traders may have less recourse if they feel they have been treated unfairly by their broker due to reduced regulation.
4. Emphasis on Capital Gains
Forex trading typically focuses on obtaining capital gains through the appreciation of one currency in a given currency pair. Unlike stocks and bonds, which often make regularly scheduled interest and dividend payments, forex positions held overnight can yield interest based on the difference in interest rates between the currencies bought and sold.
5. Importance of Macroeconomics and World Events
The forex market consists of national currencies, which means that knowledge of macroeconomics and world events is crucial for achieving consistent profits. Ideally, traders should limit their trading to a few currency pairs and research each country’s fundamentals to make more informed decisions on trades.
6. The Need for Patience and Practice
Successful forex trading requires patience and the ability to wait for good opportunities to arise. Traders also need time to become familiar with the forex market to trade profitably, and using a demo account can be helpful for novice traders with limited experience.
Is Forex Trading for You?
After weighing the pros and cons of forex trading, it’s up to you to decide if it’s the right investment opportunity for you. As with any financial market, trading forex comes with its share of risks, so it may not be suitable for risk-averse individuals. However, if you’re looking to expand your market opportunities and have experience in trading other markets, then forex trading may be worth considering.
It’s essential to remember that most retail forex traders end up losing money. Moreover, leveraging a losing position can result in the loss of your entire account balance. Therefore, forex trading requires a significant amount of learning, discipline, strategic risk-taking, and patience to increase your chances of success. Ultimately, it’s not for everyone, and it’s crucial to understand the risks before deciding to invest.
To learn more, check out the following resources:
