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About Forex

Unlike other financial markets Forex has no physical location, like stock exchanges, for example. It operates through the electronic network of banks, computer terminals or via telephone. The lack of a physical exchange enables Forex to operate on a 24-hour basis, spanning from one time zone to another across the major financial centers (Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, London, New York etc).

In every financial centre there are many dealers, who buy and sell currencies 24 hours a day during the whole business week. Trading begins in the Far East, New Zealand (Wellington), then Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Moscow, Frankfurt-on-Maine, London and ends in New York and Los Angeles. Below there are approximate trading hours for regional markets (London time):

Japan 19:00-01:30
Continental Europe 01:30-08:00
Great Britain 03:30-10:30
USA 18:30-16:30

 

Forex has some advantages which make it very popular among investors:

  • Liquidity. Forex is one of the largest financial market in the world. According to the Bank for International Settlements, the average daily turnover in global foreign exchange markets is estimated to be $3.98 trillion. Retail Forex, or the “off-exchange market” segment, is estimated to be 2% of the total Forex market or between $50-$60 billion in daily trading volume
  • Flexibility. Forex is a 24-hour market, which offers a major advantage over other markets, for example, stock exchanges which are only open during regional business hours. You can respond to breaking news immediately if the situation requires it and customize your trading schedule.
  • Lower transaction costs. Traditionally there are no commissions or charges on Forex, except for the spread.
  • Margin. Leverage can be a powerful tool. You need to support a deposit of 2,000 US dollars to make a deal with $100,000. Such high leverage combined with rapid rate fluctuations can make this market profitable but at the same time risky: please see Risk Warning.

Alpari (US) offers Internet trading on Forex via the MetaTrader 4 dealing software. We recommend that you read MT4 Trading Manual carefully and open a Free Demo Account  before you start trading with us on a Live Account.


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Risk Warning: Under margin trading conditions even small market movements may have a great impact on the customer's trading account. You must consider that if the market moves against you, you may sustain a total loss greater than the funds deposited. You are responsible for all the risks, financial resources you use and for the chosen trading strategy. Read more.

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