What is Foreign Exchange Market?

Foreign Exchange (Forex) Markets is simply a place where traders can trade a currency for another currency. It is a place where currencies can be bought and sold rapidly and in real-time.

Well-known banks, large multi-national companies, local governments and other financial institutions use the Forex Market as a medium for exchange.

What makes the Forex Market so popular?

Since currency trading, involve large amount of money, many are attracted to the Forex Market due to the profit they could make in one single successful trade. A lot of traders or companies earned millions in one trading, that’s why it’s impossible not to lure new potential traders who are willing to risk their money in exchange of profit.

Uniqueness of Forex Markets

Forex Markets differ because of the following reasons:

a. Forex Market attracts traders from worldwide markets, thus the volume of trade comes in large quantity.
b. Currencies can be bought and sold quickly, without moving from the company itself, thus saving valuable loss in time and money.
c. Available in every hour of the day (except on Saturdays and Sundays).
d. With the Forex Market, it doesn’t matter wherever you are in the world. There are no geographical boundaries.

Forex Lingo

Here are some of the terms usually used in the forex markets:

1. Rate- selling price of one currency.
2. Bid or Sell Price- the amount which traders can sell currencies.
3. Ask, Buy or Offer Price- the amount which traders can buy currencies.
4. Spread- the bid price minus the ask price.
5. Transaction Cost- the amount charge to you when you make transactions in the Forex Market. It is usually the ask price minus the bid price.

Difference between Forex Market and Stock Exchange Market
The Stock Market trades in stocks, the Forex Market trades in currencies. Both markets involved buying and selling, the only difference is that with the Stock Market, rules are strictly followed. This is to prevent companies from monopolizing stocks. That’s why the Stock Market is highly regulated and has strict environment compared to the Forex Market where there are no such rules and regulations.

How to start trading in the Forex Market?

The best thing to do to begin in the Forex Market is to do research and to talk to an investment company or stock broker that specializes in this market. It is important for you to know what type of Forex Trading they work before you invest your money. Go to the one that has a reputable background and to those whom you could trust your investments.

The profit can be really extreme but always remember that Forex Markets change constantly and it is really very risky to invest here. You could earn a lot today and lose everything tomorrow. So know when is the best time to buy and sell your currencies.

The best advice is that you must play your money smart, think really hard before making very important decisions and be very well informed, that's the key to success in almost any trade or profession.