π In This Guide You Will Learn:
- β Core Terminology (Pips, Lots)
- β How to Read Charts
- β Placing Your First Trade
- β Risk Management Secrets
Introduction to Forex Trading
Forex (Foreign Exchange) is the global marketplace for exchanging national currencies against one another. It is the largest financial market in the world, with over $6 trillion traded daily.
Why Trade Forex?
- 24/5 Market: Trade anytime from Monday to Friday.
- High Liquidity: Buy and sell instantly without waiting for a buyer.
- Leverage: Control large positions with a small deposit (e.g., 1:500 leverage).
Step 1: Learn the Language
Before you risk real money, you must understand the terminology.
πΉ Pip (Percentage in Point)
The smallest price move (usually the 4th decimal place).
- If EUR/USD moves from 1.1050 to 1.1051, that is 1 Pip.
πΉ Lot Size
The volume of your trade.
- Standard Lot: 100,000 units ($10/pip)
- Mini Lot: 10,000 units ($1/pip)
- Micro Lot: 1,000 units ($0.10/pip)
πΉ Leverage
Borrowed capital to increase potential returns.
β οΈ Warning: Leverage amplifies both profits and losses. Use it wisely!
Step 2: The Setup
You cannot trade without a broker. This is your gateway to the markets.
- Choose a Regulated Broker: Safety first. Look for FCA or ASIC licenses.
- Open a Demo Account: Practice with fake money first.
- Download MetaTrader 5 (MT5): The industry standard platform.
Step 3: Placing Your First Trade
Let's say you want to buy EUR/USD. You believe the Euro will get stronger against the Dollar.
- Open your trading platform (e.g., MT5).
- Select EUR/USD from the market watch.
- Analyze the chart.
- Set Your Stop Loss (SL): This is a price level where your trade will close automatically if you are wrong. NEVER trade without a Stop Loss.
- Set Your Take Profit (TP): Where you want to take your money.
- Click Buy.
Summary
Trading is a journey, not a sprint. Start small, learn continuously, and never invest money you cannot afford to lose.