Many would be surprised to learn that the foreign exchange market (Forex) is the largest in the world with trading amounting to $2 trillion each day. It is also the most liquid.

Until recently, however, small investors by and large were unable to enter this market because of the size of transactions and financial requirements to qualify. That has changed, and only a minimal amount of capital is needed, thus opening forex currency trading to just about every investor.

Today, the forex market is one of few that has no investor requirements. As such, it is uniquely suited for beginning investors. Moreover, it is not easily manipulated and is not subject to external controls. Although these represent advantages, newcomers to forex trading can quickly become overwhelmed and confused.

WHAT IS FOREX

Foreign Exchange (FOREX) is the arena where a nation's currency is exchanged for that of another. The foreign exchange market is the largest financial market in the world, with the equivalent of over $1.9 trillion changing hands daily; more than three times the aggregate amount of the US Equity and Treasury markets combined. Unlike other financial markets, the Forex market has no physical location and no central exchange. It operates through a global network of banks, corporations and individuals trading one currency for another. The lack of a physical exchange enables the Forex market to operate on a 24-hour basis, spanning from one zone to another in all the major financial centers.

Traditionally, retail investors' only means of gaining access to the foreign exchange market was through banks that transacted large amounts of currencies for commercial and investment purposes. Trading volume has increased rapidly over time, especially after exchange rates were allowed to float freely in 1971. Today, importers and exporters, international portfolio managers, multinational corporations, speculators, day traders, long-term holders and hedge funds all use the FOREX market to pay for goods and services, transact in financial assets or to reduce the risk of currency movements by hedging their exposure in other markets. MG Financial Group’s combination of low margin and high leverage has changed the way the Interbank currency market operates. We have done this by opening the doors of Forex to retail investors, giving them the professional tools and services needed to trade effectively in an independent atmosphere.

MG Financial Group, now operating in over 100 countries, serves all manner of clients, comprising speculators and strategic traders. Whether it’s day-traders looking for short-term gains, or fund managers wanting to hedge their non-US assets, MG's DealStation™ allows them to participate in FOREX trading by providing a combination of live quotes, Real-Time charts, and news and analysis that attracts traders with an orientation towards fundamental and/or technical analysis.

Forex Trading - Foreign Exchange

FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING

Forex (FOReign EXchange market) becomes one of the most attractive instruments for investment. Forex boundless opportunities, such as absolute liquidity, round-the-clock operation, global scale, up-to-date technologies have created a unique profession -Foreign Exchange Trader. However, the art of making money using Forex trading, despite its simplicity, is not an easy matter. Our resource gives You a chance to become not only forex professional, but achieve real SUCCESS. Every day we offer You particular recommendations in real trade and analytical articles on FOREX basic currency pairs. Includes live forex signals through SMS. Besides, a full version of our forecasts is at your disposal.

introduction to the Forex Market

The Foreign Exchange market, also referred to as the "Forex" or "FX" market is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average turnover of US$1.9 trillion.

"Foreign Exchange" is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. Currencies are traded in pairs, for example Euro/US Dollar (EUR/USD) or US Dollar/Japanese Yen (USD/JPY).

There are two reasons to buy and sell currencies. About 5% of daily turnover is from companies and governments that buy or sell products and services in a foreign country or must convert profits made in foreign currencies into their domestic currency. The other 95% is trading for profit, or speculation.

For speculators, we believe the best trading opportunities are with the most commonly traded (and therefore most liquid) currencies, called "the Majors." Today, more than 85% of all daily transactions involve trading of the Majors, which include the US Dollar, Japanese Yen, Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar.

A true 24-hour market from Sunday 5:00 PM ET to Friday 5:00PM ET, Forex trading begins each day in Sydney, and moves around the globe as the business day begins in each financial center, first to Tokyo, London, and New York. Unlike any other financial market, investors can respond to currency fluctuations caused by economic, social and political events at the time they occur - day or night.

The FX market is considered an Over The Counter (OTC) or 'interbank/interdealer' market, due to the fact that transactions are conducted between two counterparts over the telephone or via an electronic network. Trading is not centralized on an exchange, as with the stock and futures markets.

More information

For more background about the Foreign Exchange market, review the Federal Reserve Banks' "All About the Foreign Exchange Markets in the United States".

The Benefits of Forex Trading

No Short Selling Restrictions
Forex trading always involves buying one currency and selling another, so traders can easily trade in a rising or falling market. There is no Zero Uptick rule or any other restriction against shorting a currency.

At $1.9 Trillion Per Day, Forex is the Most Traded Market in the World
The sheer volume of Forex helps to facilitates price stability in most market conditions. What's more, almost 85% of all currency transactions involve the 7 major currency pairs.

Trade on Your Schedule; Respond to Changes in the Market
Forex is a true 24-hour market, open continuously from 5:00pm ET on Sunday to 5:00 pm on Friday. With three distinct trading sessions in the US, Europe and Asia, you can trade on your own schedule and respond to breaking news.

Keep 100% of Your Trading Profits
FOREX.com charges no commissions or transaction fees, while still offering free access to real-time quotes, news, charts, research, and more. The cost of trading is built into the bid/ask spread. Also, dealing spreads as low as 3 pips (.0003) are available in currency trading. Even at a penny ($.01), the bid/ask on a stock trade is 30x wider, in addition to the brokerage commission.

Up to 200:1 Leverage
With more buying power, you can increase your total return on investment with less cash outlay. Of course, increasing leverage increases risk. With $1,000 cash in a margin account that allows 200:1 leverage (.5%), you can trade up to $200,000 in notional value.

---