Benefits of Currency Trading vs Equity Trading

Filed Under (Forex Trading - What You Should Know) by Trader on 29-03-2008

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extracted from Oanda TXTrade (fxtrade.oanda.com/learn/what_is_forex/index.shtml)


Historically, currency trading has been a “closed” market, reserved primarily for major banks, multi-national corporations, and other large organizations. These institutions trade in large transaction sizes and high volumes and it has been next to impossible for smaller-scale, individual investors to participate in an equal and competitive manner.


This all changed however, as new technologies such as OANDA’s proprietary FXTrade platform have made it possible for smaller investors to participate directly in the forex market. By lowering these traditional barriers, the forex marketplace is now open to a new group of forex investors.


Forex trading is rapidly winning favour as an alternative investment opportunity thanks not only to new trading tools pioneered by OANDA, but also because forex trading has several inherent benefits when compared to equity trading. This page lists some of these benefits.


Continuous, 24-hour Trading

The currency exchange market is a true 24-hour market, operating five days a week. Equity trading, on the other hand, is restricted to the operating hours of the various equity exchanges. While after-hours trading for equities has become available to a limited degree through some electronic communication networks (ECNs), there are no guarantees that liquidity will be maintained after-hours or that trades can executed at true “market prices”.


High Liquidity and Greater Efficiency

Key to any efficient market is high liquidity. After all, as a trader, you want to know that you have an active market with plenty of buyers and sellers looking to participate. Trading volumes in the currency market can be one hundred times larger than that of the New York Stock Exchange, and daily dollar amounts traded in foreign currency approaches $3 trillion compared to less than $100 billion for the NYSE. High volumes and “round-the-clock” trading ensures an active market for currency traders and greater liquidity.

The incredible volumes traded in the FX market also contribute to the integrity of the market—it is virtually impossible for an individual or group to manipulate prices. Compare this to the equity markets, where large price movements can be triggered with no warning should a major holder of a stock suddenly decide to reduce their holdings.


Intra-day Volatility

FX trading is centered around a handful of currency pairs referred to colloquially as the big seven. The high volume and liquidity combined with fewer active instruments generates greater intra-day volatility than the equity markets where hundreds of stocks are actively traded. It is this volatility that can be profitability exploited by forex traders.


Low Spreads

Currency trading offers spreads that are much lower than what can be obtained when buying or selling equities, especially during after-hours trading. Although exceptionally tight currency spreads were previously reserved for transactions involving $1 million or more, a shift towards tighter spreads for smaller transactions is gaining traction. Again, OANDA’s FXTrade is an industry leader in offering tight spreads regardless of the size of the trade.


Margin-based Leverage

Leverage—or margin based trading—makes it possible for FX market participants to submit trades valued considerably higher than the deposits in their trading accounts. Typically, margin ratios for trading currencies are higher than those permitted for equities, and this is primarily attributable to the higher level of liquidity within the currency markets.

To illustrate the power of leverage provided through the use of margin, consider a margin ratio of 20:1 coupled with a trading account containing $10,000. This means that you could trade amounts up to $200,000! Trading in larger volumes allows you to take better advantage of even small price movements (but also increases your risk). Read about OANDA’s margin policy.


Profit Potential regardless of Market Direction

By definition, an investor with an open forex position is long one currency and short another. If you determine that a currency is about to fall in value, then you can sell that currency short and go long with another currency. No matter whether you buy or sell a currency pair, however, every trade you make involves the buying of one currency and the selling of another. Therefore, potential exists in the FX market regardless of whether the market is moving up or down.

Short-selling is much less common in the equity markets and there are many rules and regulations that you must abide by when shorting stock. This can make it difficult for you to take advantage of a declining share price or market trend. These same restrictions do not apply to the FX market, thereby allowing you to gain no matter which direction the market heads.


No Commissions or Transaction Costs

A currency transaction typically incurs no commission or transaction fee outside of the quoted spread. This is in stark contrast to the equity market, where commissions for stock trades can range anywhere from $8 to $70 per trade, in addition to the quoted spread.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 28 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 28-03-2008

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EUR/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 1.5710 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 2.0000 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. We are presently reviewing our short-term price target.

USD/CHF

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it is below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bearish, and vice versa. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 155.75 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy, and vice versa. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 0.9165 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 27 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 27-03-2008

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EUR/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 1.5710 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 1.9940 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. We are presently reviewing our short-term price target.

USD/CHF

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it is below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bullish, and vice versa. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 155.75 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy, and vice versa. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 0.9165 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 26 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 27-03-2008

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EUR/USD

The pair looks toppish on the charts. We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot. However, if the pair breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to sell the pair based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 1.9940 level, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. We are presently reviewing our short-term price target.

USD/CHF

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot. However, if it fails to break below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to buy the pair based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 99.75 level, provided the global stock market is bullish, and vice versa. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 155.20 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks above the 0.9165 level, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 25 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 25-03-2008

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EUR/USD

The pair looks toppish on the charts. We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot. However, if the pair breaks above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to buy the pair based on TNT signals for small profit. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. We are presently reviewing our short-term price target.

USD/CHF

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 1.0050 level, or sell the pair if it breaks below the 1.0050 level based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 99.75 level, provided the global stock market is bullish, and prices are trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, and vice versa. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals once it breaks above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy, or sell the pair if it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 24 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 24-03-2008

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EUR/USD

The pair looks toppish on the charts. We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot. However, if the pair breaks above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to buy the pair based on TNT signals for small profit. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. We are presently reviewing our short-term price target.

USD/CHF

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, or sell the pair if it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bullish, and prices are trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, and vice versa. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices are trendy and not choppy, and vice versa. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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Welcome Onboard - Batch 9 Students

Filed Under (Dynamite TNT Forex Students) by Trader on 24-03-2008

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Batch 9 Students - Mar 2008

We welcome our Batch 9 students who have just completed their training from 15 to 17 Mar 2008.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 20 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 22-03-2008

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EUR/USD

The pair looks toppish on the charts. However, we are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot. However, if the pair breaks above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to buy the pair based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the 1.9938 level, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. However, if the pair is able to break above the 1.9938 level, we may look to buy based on TNT signals. We are presently reviewing our short-term price target.

USD/CHF

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, or buy the pair if it breaks above the PIPS Weekly Pivot based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bearish, and prices are trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bearish and prices are trendy and not choppy. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 1.0024 level, and vice versa. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the 0.9232 level, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. However, if it breaks above the 0.9232 level, we may look to buy the pair based on TNT signals. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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Daily Forex Market Analysis - 19 Mar 2008

Filed Under (Daily Forex Market Analysis) by Trader on 21-03-2008

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EUR/USD

The pair looks toppish on the charts. However, we are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot. However, if the pair breaks above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to buy the pair based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. Our next price target is at 1.6000, followed by 1.6200 and 1.6500.

GBP/USD

We are looking to sell the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains below the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. However, if the pair is able to break above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to buy based on TNT signals. Our short-term price target for this pair is 2.0400.

USD/CHF

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, or sell the pair if it breaks below the PIPS Weekly Pivot based on TNT signals. For both cases, prices must be trendy and not choppy. The next price target is at 0.9500.

USD/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bullish, and prices are trendy and not choppy. Our short-term price targets at 100.00 and 98.00 have been reached. Our next price target is 95.00.

EUR/JPY

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, provided the global stock market is bullish and prices are trendy and not choppy. We are still reviewing the Short-Term Price Target for this pair.

USD/CAD

We are staying away from this pair for today. Note that the medium-term price target for this pair is 0.9500, followed by 0.9000.

AUD/USD

We are looking to buy the pair based on TNT signals as long as it remains above the 0.9232 level, provided prices must be trendy and not choppy. However, if it fails to break above the PIPS Weekly Pivot, we may look to sell the pair based on TNT signals. Note that our short-term price target at 0.9400 has been reached. We now have 1.0000 as our long-term term price target.

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