What is forex trading and how does it work? (2024)

Central banks

Supply is controlled by central banks, who can announce measures that will have a significant effect on their currency’s price. Quantitative easing, for instance, involves injecting more money into an economy, and can cause its currency’s price to drop.

Central banks also control the base interest rate for an economy.

If you purchase an asset in a currency that has a high interest rate, you may get higher returns. This can make investors flock to a country that has recently raised interest rates, in turn boosting its economy and driving up its currency.

However, higher interest rates can also make borrowing money harder. If money is more expensive to borrow, investing is harder, and currencies may weaken.

News reports

Commercial banks and other investors tend to want to put their capital into economies that have a strong outlook. So, if a positive piece of news hits the markets about a certain region, it will encourage investment and increase demand for that region’s currency.

Unless there is a parallel increase in supply for the currency, the disparity between supply and demand will cause its price to increase. Similarly, a piece of negative news can cause investment to decrease and lower a currency’s price. As a result, currencies tend to reflect the reported economic health of the country or region that they represent.

Take a look at our economic calendar to see what’s ahead, and pay particular attention to:

  • Inflation figures
  • GDP
  • Production reports
  • Retail sales
  • Employment

Market sentiment

Market sentiment, which is often in reaction to the news, can also play a major role in driving currency prices. If traders believe that a currency is headed in a certain direction, they will trade accordingly and may convince others to follow suit, increasing or decreasing demand.

You can see sentiment from IG clients – as well as live prices and fundamentals – on our market data pages for each market.

What is forex trading and how does it work? (2024)

FAQs

What is forex trading and how does it work? ›

Foreign exchange, or forex, traders speculate on changing exchange rates by converting large sums of money from currency to currency, much like stock traders buy and sell different stocks. Forex traders essentially attempt to buy low and sell high for a profit, but the asset they are trading is currency.

How do forex traders make money? ›

You can make money from forex trading by correctly predicting a currency pair's price movements and opening a position that stands to profit. For example, if you think that a pair will decline in value, you could go short and profit from a market falling.

How does forex trading work for beginners? ›

Currencies are traded in pairs, so by exchanging one currency for another, a trader is predicting one currency will rise or fall in value against the other. Forex is traded on the forex market, open to buy and sell currencies 24 hours a day, five days a week.

Do you get real money from forex trading? ›

Forex trading may make you rich if you are a hedge fund with deep pockets or an unusually skilled currency trader. But for the average retail trader, rather than being an easy road to riches, forex trading can be a rocky highway to enormous losses and potential penury.

What is an example of forex trading? ›

Example of Forex Transactions

The trader buys the EUR/USD at 1.2500 and purchases $5,000 worth of currency. Later that day the price has increased to 1.2550. The trader is up $25 (5000 * 0.0050). If the price dropped to 1.2430, the trader would be losing $35 (5000 * 0.0070).

Can you make money on forex with $100? ›

Major Facts. A $100 deposit is sufficient initial capital to open a forex trade in a real Forex account without breaking risk management rules. On average, traders with medium-level experience can earn over 10% of the deposit per month. Professional traders' earnings can exceed 500% a year.

Is forex trading like gambling? ›

Forex trading vs. gambling: Forex trading may appear similar to gambling, but there are key differences. While gambling relies on chance and randomness, forex traders can use strategies and tools to tilt the odds in their favour. Importance of self-control: Successful forex trading requires discipline and self-control.

Is $1000 enough to start forex? ›

Conclusion. In conclusion, $1000 is enough to start trading Forex. However, it's important to have a realistic trading plan and manage your risk carefully.

How much money do I need to start forex? ›

Answer - You can start trading with as little as $10 or invest more, like $100, $1,000, or even $15,000. Higher investments can potentially lead to higher profits in forex. However, it often requires substantial investments to achieve significant gains.

Can I learn forex on my own? ›

It is absolutely possible to teach yourself how to trade forex, but it's important to learn the basics before entering the market.

Can forex make you a millionaire? ›

The answer is yes! Forex can make you a millionaire if you are a hedge fund trader with a large sum. But forex from rags to riches for the majority is usually a rocky and bumpy ride which often leaves some traders in their dreams.

How much do forex traders make per day? ›

On average, a forex trader can make anywhere between $500 to $2,000 per day. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on market conditions, trading strategy, and risk management techniques. Some traders may make more than $2,000 in a single day, while others may make less or even incur losses.

Can one make a living from forex trading? ›

In conclusion, while it is possible to make a living trading Forex, it is not an easy feat. It requires dedication, discipline, and a deep understanding of the market. Additionally, it is crucial to have a strong mindset and the ability to control emotions while trading.

Which trading is best for beginners? ›

Overview: Swing trading is an excellent starting point for beginners. It strikes a balance between the fast-paced day trading and long-term investing.

What does forex stand for? ›

The foreign exchange market (forex, FX (pronounced "fix"), or currency market) is a global decentralized or over-the-counter (OTC) market for the trading of currencies.

How to start forex trading as a beginner? ›

Trading forex step-by-step guide
  1. Open a spread betting or CFD trading account. ...
  2. Start researching to find the FX pair you want to trade. ...
  3. Based on your research, decide if you want to buy or sell. ...
  4. Follow your strategy. ...
  5. Place your forex trade. ...
  6. Close your trade and reflect.

Can you make a living trading forex? ›

Yes, it is possible to make a more than decent living with forex trading. However, in order to do that, you must become a profitable trader. Once you are making consistent profits, and are among the top forex traders, you stand the chance to become a profitable trader with your own funded trading account.

How much money do day traders with $10,000 accounts make per day on average? ›

Assuming they make ten trades per day and taking into account the success/failure ratio, this hypothetical day trader can anticipate earning approximately $525 and only risking a loss of about $300 each day. This results in a sizeable net gain of $225 per day.

Who is the richest forex trader? ›

Ray Dalio – The Richest Forex Trader in the World

Through his disciplined approach to trading and investment, Dalio has achieved remarkable financial success. Dalio's journey to becoming a millionaire in forex trading began with his early investment ventures.

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