Forex for Hedging

Companies doing business in foreign countries are at risk due to fluctuations in currency values when they buy or sell goods and services outside of their domestic market. Foreign exchange markets provide a way to hedge currency risk by fixing a rate at which the transaction will be completed. A trader can buy or sell currencies in the forward or swap markets in…

Forwards and Futures Markets

A forward contract is a private agreement between two parties to buy a currency at a future date and a predetermined price in the OTC markets. In the forwards market, contracts are bought and sold OTC between two parties, who determine the terms of the agreement between themselves. A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to…

What Is Forex Trading?

Forex trading, or FX trading, involves buying and selling different currencies with the aim of making a profit. At its core, forex trading is about capturing the changing values of pairs of currencies. For example, if you think the Euro will increase in value against the U.S. Dollar, a speculator might buy Euros with Dollars. If the…

Who Trades on It?

Currency trading was very difficult for individual investors until it made its way onto the internet. Most currency traders were large multinational corporations, hedge funds, or high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) because forex trading required a lot of capital. Commercial and investment banks still conduct most of the trading in forex markets on behalf of their clients. But there are also opportunities for professional and individual…

Where Is It?

An interesting aspect of world forex markets is that no physical buildings function as trading venues. Instead, it is a series of connected trading terminals and computer networks. Market participants are institutions, investment banks, commercial banks, and retail investors from around the world.

What Is the Forex Market?

The foreign exchange market is where currencies are traded. This international market’s most unique aspect is that it lacks a central marketplace. Instead, currency trading is conducted electronically over the counter (OTC). This means that all transactions occur via computer networks among traders worldwide rather than on one centralized exchange. The market is open 24 hours a day,…