Lesson: Foreign exchange

Example of a Forex Trade

A trader thinks that the European Central Bank (ECB) will be easing its monetary policy in the coming months as the Eurozone’s economy slows. As a result, the trader bets that the euro will fall against the U.S. dollar and sells short €100,000 at an exchange rate of 1.15. Over the next several weeks the ECB signals that it may indeed ease its monetary policy. That causes the exchange rate for the euro to fall to 1.10 versus the dollar. This creates a profit for the trader of $5,000.
By shorting €100,000, the trader took in $115,000 for the short sale. When the euro fell, and the trader covered the short, it cost the trader only $110,000 to repurchase the currency. The difference between the money received on the short sale and the buy to cover it is the profit.


Had the euro strengthened versus the dollar, it would have resulted in a loss.

Pros and Cons of Forex

Pros

The forex was once the exclusive province of banks and other financial institutions. The internet has blasted the doors wide open.
Entry costs are low and the marketplace is open around the clock. There are many choices of forex trading platforms, including some that cater to beginners. There also are online forex trading courses that teach the basics.

Cons

Those financial institutions and the traders who work for them are still there, alongside the neophytes working from home. They have deep pockets, sophisticated software that tracks currency price movements, and teams of analysts to examine the economic factors that make currency rates move.
Currency trading is a fast-moving, volatile arena. It's risky business and can be made riskier by the use of leverage to increase the size of bets.
It's an easy way to lose money fast. Anyone willing to jump into the Forex should get the necessary training in advance, and start slowly with a minimal stake.