3 Reasons Forex Trading is So Popular

First, it may be necessary to explain what forex trading is. Forex trading, also called currency trading, FX trading, Foreign Exchange trading and forex currency trading refers to the largest financial investment market in the world. Forex trading is fully electronic and has an average daily capital turnover amount in the area of $1.5 trillion. This amount of capital changing hands dwarfs the stock and commodity markets. Forex trading is the simultaneous buying of one particular currency and the simultaneous selling of another particular currency. If a forex investor believed that the Euro Currency would weaken versus the US Dollar they would Sell EUR/USD. In forex trading the strongest currency is listed first in the pair. Currently the European Currency (EUR), the Australian Dollar (AUD) and the British Pound (GBP) are the only 3 currencies valued higher than the US Dollar (USD).

The #1 reason forex trading is so popular is the ease and accuracy of trading at the forex traders convenience. Forex trading follows the sun around the world which enables investors to trade on their schedule 24 hours a day from the comfort of their own computer. Most forex trading platforms offer free real time quotes, charts and news to facilitate forex trading efficiency. Many also offer free practice forex trading accounts so investors can learn forex trading without any risk.

The #2 reason forex trading is so popular is the inexpensive trading costs. Many forex trading companies charge no commissions. The forex trading company and the introducing broker are compensated by the pip spread. For instance, a EUR/USD pip spread may be 3 pips which are equal to $30. The investor is leveraging $100,000 of EUR/USD with a total transaction cost of $30.

The #3 reason forex trading is so popular is the limited risk of capital loss. Many but not all forex trading platforms do not allow trading once the forex account equity amount falls below the required margin level. The forex trading platforms that offer this service will automatically liquidate the currency positions before the account can go negative. There are no margin calls in forex trading for the investor to worry about. Forex trading does offer extreme leverage of up to 100 times the value of the trading account which can cause significant losses in a short period of time.