Introduction to Foreign Exchange Markets

The forex market is a non-stop cash market where currencies of nations are traded, typically via brokers. Foreign currencies are constantly and simultaneously bought and sold across local and global markets, hence investments appreciate or depreciate in value based upon currency movements. Foreign exchange market conditions can change at any time in response to real-time events.

The main enticements of currency dealing to private investors and attractions for short-term forex trading are:

• 24-hour trading, 5 days a week with access to global forex dealers
• An enormous liquid market making it easy to trade most currencies
• Volatile markets offering profit opportunities
• Standard instruments for controlling risk exposure
• The ability to profit in rising or falling markets
• Leveraged trading with low margin requirements
• Many options for zero commission trading