Friday, May 16, 2008 

Forex Trading Tips

All traders research the market in different ways. Some prefer analyzing what is called "fundamentals" such as a country's interest rates, trade balance and the general state of its economy, reflected in measurements of unemployment, GDP, building approvals and business investment. Other traders prefer technical analysis, using charting, such as pivot points, candlestick patters and Fibonacci retracements.

The important thing to remember is that the market is subject to both of these styles and as such, it's important for traders to have an understanding of both.

Trading Systems

Some traders do not have the time or the training to be able to do proper fundamental and technical analysis and prefer to use a robotic trading system. These have generally been developed by successful traders who have a winning formula, which they package up for sale. Choosing the right one can avoid unnecessary losses and subscription fees.

A simple way to test a trading system is to open a demo account with a forex broker you like and trade a demo account without real money. Over time, you'll see how profitable it is, or isn't. When you find a system that works for you, you can use your demo information to work out the average profit per trade. If you multiply that by the actual amount that you intent to invest in each trade, you can begin to work out the potential profit of your forex trading. Before getting too carried away with the possibilities, it is important to be realistic about the fact that demo accounts and live trading is a howl different experience and you shall most probably end up with different results altogether, and not for the better. In addition you need to take into account how much time you have to trade, over any given period. Family and work pressure can also limit the amount of trades you can successfully execute.

Managing your trading funds

As in any business, managing the money in your account is very important. This involves setting a limit of how much you'll invest in each trade, as well as how much you're willing to leverage. Poor money management can result in you quickly losing your initial capital.

Speculators are therefore well advised to know their limits in their ability to research and analyze, work out which style fits them best and if necessary, find a trading systems that works for them.

http://www.Forexpros.com

 

Forex Trading Methods - Automated Trading Systems Vs Manual Ones Which Are Best?

When you are looking at forex trading methods you have choice between following an automated trading system or trading manually to set of rules so which is best lets take a look...

Forex Robots

Have rules build into them and there simply plug and play time efficient and require very little trading knowledge.

There are some good ones about that are sold online but most (about 99%) don't work and the track records are simply made up and simulated in hindsight. Most carry the disclaimer below, look out for it and forget it:

"CFTC RULE 4.41 - Hypothetical or simulated performance results have certain limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, since the trades have not been executed, the results may have under-or-over compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profit or losses similar to those shown".

There are some that have been traded and tested and have real time track records but be careful - you still have to follow it with discipline and for this, you need to know how and why it works long term.

You need to be confident enough in its logic, to stick with it through periods of drawdown, if you dont understand how and why it works and have confidence in its ability to win longer term, your discipline will go and you have no system.

There are even some free ones that make money. I have written frequently on Richard Donchian's 4 week rule and this incredibly powerful but simple system, is free! Look it up in our other articles.

Trading an automated trading system ( if you find the right one) is time efficient and easy - but you must have a disciplined and patient personality, to keep executing the signals in line with the rules and this is hard, when you had a losing period!

Manual Trading

There is a right way and a wrong way when trading manually - lets start with the wrong way.

The "shoot from the hip" news and story trader - He simply trades on a whim and of course as news is instantly discounted and his emotions are to the fore he losses.

The other trader is the trader who likes to do every trade manually but is still guided by rigid rules in terms of, executing his trading signal and money management.

I am this sort of trader and it suits me as I am involved and although I use rules I can pick and choose the best trades in terms of risk reward - this trading method is obviously my personal choice and each trader will know which method is right fof them.

You can make money with forex robots, just choose wisely and be prepared to have confidence and discipline in the system you follow. As a manual trader you still need discipline but it probably suits the trader who enjoys a challenge.

Which ever trading method you choose, remember to have a disciplined approach and make sure you employ rigid money management criteria, to lead you to long term currency trading success.

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