The purchasing of one currency while simultaneously selling another is called FOREX TRADING. In other words, the currency being sold is being exchanged for the one being bought. Trading of currencies is typically done in pairs. Trading of the Euro to the US Dollar or the US Dollar to the Japanese Yen are examples. The most liquid and biggest currency pairs comprise the bulk of the FOREX TRADING volume. These are the US Dollar, the Euro, the British Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Swiss Franc, the Australian Dollar, and the Canadian Dollar. Trading of these currencies are in such huge volumes that they alone compose 85% of daily FOREX TRADING. Trade and investment between companies across different countries necessitated the emergence of FOREX TRADING.

No matter how you choose to make money with your investments - whether it be with trading stocks, forex option trading, or stock trading programs – you should know there are some benefits of choosing forex trading. Three major features of FOREX TRADING are huge trading volumes, decentralized system, and virtually uninterrupted trading hours. High profits are attained due to the huge volumes of trading foreign currencies. The average daily turnover of US$3.2 trillion makes it the most traded fixed income market. Unlike the stock market, FOREX TRADING does not have a centralized exchange. Transactions are undertaken by participants thru the telephone and an electronic network. Lastly, FOREX TRADING happens practically 24 hours a day except weekends. Opening at the start of the business day in Sydney, it moves on to Tokyo, then London, then New York. Because of this, participants and investors are able to monitor and respond to market fluctuations day or night.

Financial institutions of different levels participate in FOREX TRADING. These financial institutions include central banks, investment firms, commercial banks, remittance companies, and commercial companies. Investment firms and commercial banks trade either in behalf of their clients or for their own accounts. FOREX TRADING by central banks are done in their respective economies’ interests. Central banks can use their vast forex reserves to stabilize the market or a currency. Participation of remittance companies happen due to the flow of money from countries with a huge population of migrant workers to these workers’ home countries. Trading participation of commercial companies is comparatively lower as their FOREX TRADING is being done as a consequence of paying for goods or services. Retail traders or individuals may also participate in FOREX TRADING but is done through banks.

Participants of FOREX TRADING have developed and used several strategies in maximizing profits just like in any market. The candlestick charting strategy is one of the most common strategies. Developed by a Japanese rice trader in the 18th century, candlestick charts were used to predict market and price movements in the rice exchange at that time. Today, a candlestick chart is one indispensable tool for decision making in the stock, forex, and commodities markets.