Forex Trading the Foreign Exchange FX Currency Markets

FOREX Trading Strategies

To be a successful FOREX trader you need a trading strategy. There is no one set strategy that is good for all traders; rather, each trader needs to develop his or her individual approach to the FOREX. Some traders rely solely on technical analysis while others prefer fundamental analysis, but many successful FOREX traders use a combination of both to get a broad overview of the market and for plotting entry and exit points.

Technical analysis relies on one key concept: Prices move by trends. The common saying in FOREX is 'The trend is your friend.' Market movements have identifiable patterns that have been studied over many years and a thorough understanding of these trends and how they can be read forms the basis of a good trading strategy.

There are many analytical tools available to understand market movements. The beginner FOREX trader is well advised to study each one separately for getting a working knowledge of their concepts and application. Once one has been understood, keep on using it while studying others. Each tool tends to reinforce the others.

Support and resistance levels are used in many FOREX trading strategies. 'Support' refers to the price level that is repeatedly seen as the bottom - when the price reaches this level it tends to rise. Resistance levels are upper prices that the currency rarely trades beyond. Support and resistance levels contain price movements for a period of time.

When currency prices break through support or resistance levels, the prices are expected to continue in that direction. For example, if the price rises above the previous resistance level, it is seen as bullish - the price should continue to rise.

To find support and resistance levels, price charts need to be analyzed for unbroken support and resistance levels. Charts can be analyzed in any time frame; however longer time frames establish more important support/resistance levels. Traders can use support/resistance levels to determine when to enter or exit a transaction.

Moving averages are another common tool in FOREX trading strategies. The simple moving average (SMA) shows the average price in a given period of time over a specified period of time. Moving averages serve to eliminate short term price fluctuations giving a clearer picture of price movements. FOREX traders can plot a SMA to determine when prices have a tendency to rise or fall. If prices cross above the SMA they have a tendency to keep on rising. Conversely, prices below the SMA have a tendency to continue their downward motion.

These are two examples of trading strategies that can be used individually or in combination. In practice, the FOREX trader should have a repertoire of trading tools to examine market conditions and to support the findings of one study or another. If several indicators show that the market is moving in a particular direction the trader can act with more assurance than when relying on a single indicator.

Similarly, fundamental analysis can be used to reinforce technical findings, or vice versa. Ideally, the FOREX trader will take several indicators into account when plotting a trading strategy.

Every trading strategy should provide clear guidelines about when to enter a trade, what to expect in terms of market movement, when to exit a trade, and how much loss can be accepted in case the deal moves against the trader. Following these simple guidelines and learning about technical analysis can help you become a successful FOREX trader.

Forex Trading News

ZuluTrade: Leading Automated Social Forex Trading Platform Now Available to Nord FX Traders - Wed, 16 May 2012 07:03:00 -0700
ZuluTrade.com, the largest social Forex autotrading platform that has revolutionized Forex trading by introducing the rating and following of Forex experts’ performance, announced

Forex Weekly Trading Forecast - 05.21.2012 - Sat, 19 May 2012 00:49:00 -0700
Forex Weekly Trading Forecast - 05.21.2012

How to Trade Forex on the Move with a Forex Trading App - Mon, 14 May 2012 04:19:00 -0700
LONDON, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The City Index forex trading app enables unrestricted access to 37 spot forex markets from the palm of your hand, wherever you are - whenever you want.Available for ...

ThinkForex™ Offers Traders Free Live Forex Trading Accounts - Wed, 09 May 2012 12:58:00 -0700
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ThinkForex™ is now offering free live forex accounts to all forex traders! Open your ThinkForex forex trading account immediately for immediate access ...

How can I Benefit from Trading Forex with the MT4 Android App? - Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:00 -0700
SADDLE RIVER, New Jersey, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The MT4 Android ™ App for FX Solutions LLC is a powerful tool for traders to access the global currency markets from virtually anywhere in the world, ...

RELATED ARTICLES

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