Friday, April 13, 2007

The Risks of Forex Trading

by Donald Aday

There are definite risks to trading in the forex market. It pays to be knowledgable of these risks. A few tips may be of help to you.

You could lose your investment. This sounds too obvious to mention, but it's true. There is no guarantee of success. Between the time you place a trade and the time you close your trade, there is much that can still take place. For one thing, fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate will affect your potential profit, the price of your contract, and your potential losses in the deal.

Good management of your accounts is essential. However, be aware always that you could lose your entire investiment. Prices can move in a direction that does not favor your position. High leverage can result in losses in excess of your initial deposit. It's also possible that, depending on your agreement with your dealer, you may also end up paying for more losses.

Be wary of anyone stating that your investment is protected. In reality, forex trades are not guaranteed by any organization, nor are your deposits to trade forex contracts insured. If a dealer goes bankrupt, the funds deposited by that dealer in an FDIC-insured bank account may not be protected.
The Internet has its own risks. There is always a possibility, however remote, that an online system failure may occur. This would put you in a very difficult position, keeping you from making new orders, making changes to or canceling existing orders. In light of this risk, it's best to obtain the contact information, such as the telephone numbers and addresses of the companies and individuals you are dealing with online, so you may continue your business with as little disruption as possible.

Any investment carries the risk of fraud, and you should protect yourself against this as well. Scams are prevalent and increasing in number throughout the Internet. Due diligence on your part is definitely in order before you begin, and during trading.

Avoid deals that sound too good. Understand and remember that risk is inherent in forex trading, and anyone who assures you of the opposite is to be avoided.
Opportunities that sound too good to be true are worthy of extra caution from you. In fact, it may be best just to stay away from them altogether. Get-rich-quick schemes definitely fall into this catagory, and often tend to be fraudulent. Before you do business with anyone, be sure you know as much about them as you can, and be satisfied that they are reputable and trustworthy. If you cannot be certain that they are completely legitimate, it is best to not do business with that company or individual. One place to do your background check is at the National Futures Association (NFA) (http://www.nfa.futures.org) Visit the Background Affiliation Status Information Center, or BASIC, available throug NFA's web site, where you can find registration and disciplinary records about forex companies' and individuals in the futures industry. Not all brokers are required to register with NFA, but this is a good place to start your search for pertinent information. Before you make any trading decisions, consult with your financial advisor, get excellent forex training through a reputable program.
If you are new to forex, open a free demo account to learn how to trade online. if you have some experience, start trading now with an active account. Even with the inherent risks of currency trading, you can gain confidence from experience, and join the thousands of people worldwide who are making good money every day.

About the Author
Donald Aday is a writer and webmaster. To learn more about Online Forex Currency Trading, visit his website at http://www.xenocurrencies.com

No comments: