Who doesn't wish to grow their money in the ever-rising inflation rates? Everyone does, right? One good way to do this is to invest in Forex Trading, which is undoubtedly one of the most attractive trading markets in the world mainly because of its trading volume and 24/7 open market. But it's risky and volatile at the same time. However, this doesn't mean that you can't increase your earnings. By understanding these five important terms, you can definitely increase your profit margins. So, read here to know everything about these.
Important Forex Terms That Every Trader Should Know To Maximize Profits
-
Percentage in Point (Pip)
The Percentage in Point or Pip is the smallest price movement in a currency pair. It's often used to measure the change in value between two currencies, for example - USD/EUR.
In most currency pairs, a pip is typically the fourth decimal point (0.0001), but in pairs involving the Japanese yen, a pip is the second decimal place (0.01). This Pip is very important, as it is the fundamental unit of measurement in Forex Trading.
So, understanding how Pip works helps traders assess how much they stand to gain or lose on each trade. For example, if the EUR/USD moves from 1.1200 to 1.1250, it has moved 50 pips. In SD/JPY movement from 110.10 to 110.20, that's a 10-pip movement.
-
Lot Size
The next term is Lot Size. Lot is a unit of measurement for the amount of currency being traded. For better understanding, Forex transactions are typically executed in lots, and there are different types of lot sizes:
- Standard lot - In a standard lot, there are 100,000 units of the base currency.
- Mini lot - In Mini lot, there are 10,000 units of the base currency.
- Micro lot - In Micro lot, there are 1,000 units of the base currency.
Also, the lot size determines the position size and, therefore, the profit or loss you can make on each trade. A standard lot is more significant in value, and therefore, each pip movement has a larger impact. Understanding lot sizes allows traders to manage risk effectively and tailor their trades to their account size. For example, If you're trading one standard lot (100,000 units of currency) in EUR/USD, a 1-pip movement equals $10 (assuming USD is the quote currency).
-
Leverage
Leverage allows you to control a larger position than your capital in your account. It's usually expressed as a ratio, such as 50:1, 100:1, or even 500:1. With $1,000 in your account and 100:1 leverage, you can easily control $100,000 worth of currency.
But one thing to remember is that it is a double-edged sword. It magnifies both potential profits and potential losses. This allows traders to trade larger positions than their account balance but also exposes them to greater risk. It's always important to use the leverage responsibly. For example, with 100:1 leverage, you can control $100,000 with only $1,000 in your account. However, if the market moves against you by just 1%, you could lose your entire $1,000. So be mindful of this.
-
Spread
Spread is another very important term in forex trading. It is generally the difference between the buying price (ask price) and the selling price (bid price) of a currency pair. The spread is how brokers make money in addition to any commissions.
So, the spread mainly represents your initial trading cost. A smaller spread means you pay less to enter and exit a trade, which is especially important in Forex, where trades are frequently opened and closed.
Here's an example. If the EUR/USD has an asking price of 1.1200 and a bid price of 1.1198, the spread is two pips.
-
Margin
The last but not the least is Margin. Margin is the amount of capital required to open and maintain a position in the market. In simple words, it is a small fraction of the full position size, and it's often expressed as a percentage of the total trade. Margin is not a fee but rather a security deposit that ensures a trader can cover potential losses.
Now, understanding these margins is important, as these are directly linked to leverage. With higher leverage, the margin requirement is lower, but the risk is greater. Traders must know their margin levels to avoid margin calls, where the broker requires additional funds to cover losses. For example, if you're using 100:1 leverage to trade a $100,000 position, you would need a margin of $1,000 (1% of the total position size).
Which is the best online forex trading platform for forex traders?
Now, after reading the above terms, you must be thinking about the best platform to practice or earn. So, Finsai Trade is the best forex trading platform for forex traders. How? It offers great UI, zero-commission accounts, robust technical analysis tools, and very caring customer support.
Conclusion
However, Forex trading requires more than just an understanding of market charts and indicators. But, by mastering key terms like pips, lot sizes, leverage, and spread, the traders can significantly improve their ability to make informed decisions. Successful traders are those who not only understand the mechanics of the market but who can apply that knowledge effectively. So, good luck!