Is The FOREX The Market To Trade Your Way to Riches?Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010 Ever watch the news and see the ending FOREX trades of the currency markets? They're usually based on how individual currencies traded against the dollar. FOREX is the abbreviation for the Foreign Exchange market. FOREX is a market where the value of individual currencies from all over the world are traded. The currency market today began in the 1970?s as currencies that were historically tied to the gold standard, or the price of gold, were decoupled and allowed to float. So instead of a dollar having a gold based value, it's value is now determined by the other currencies in the world. FOREX can be an investors paradise as it's as close to a free trading market as you can get. Almost anyone can invest in FOREX because it's simply the trading of 1 currency for another. So how does this work? Let's say that you believe the United States market is going to be suffering from inflation. That is, the value of the dollar, over the next year or so is going to go down....and all 100 dollars of your savings is in US dollars. Next, let's say your right and inflation does hit the US hard and the value of the dollar drops by 10%. Be aware that when talking about currency we're talking not about the number of dollars and other currencies but the value of those currencies. That is, what it can buy or it's actual worth. To complete the example, your savings of 200 EUROS could be traded back into US dollars. Because of the inflation however and the value of the dollar went down so you can now trade your 200 EUROS for about 110 US dollars. Almost anyone can invest in FOREX, and there are strategies for investors who look for long term and short term gains. For those of you who are interested in forex trading, the very first stop is to get some good training and understand the markets. Unlike the private markets where stocks, bonds and commodities are traded, FOREX is currency which belongs to the individual governments. Currency manipulations by governments is not uncommon, while decisions they make can dramatically change the value of their underlying currency. While many people and currency dealers can make it sound easy, the only thing easy in making any investment is losing your money. It's important to remember that currency dealers make their money through commissions and usually not on the investment they're selling. The example we used above, although very simplistic, had a number of risk factors and additional costs we didn't consider. Things like trading costs, and the assumption that one government held their currency completely stable, which is not usual, while another did not. Many people involved with FOREX say a lot of money can be made trading currency. They're correct of course, but you can also lose a lot of money also. So get training, learn the markets and trade smart. Like it? Share it!More by this author |