Easy-Forex™

Step (1): Deciding to perform a Forex deal
You have an intention to trade Forex, and you have your own reasoning for
doing so – e.g. you feel that the USD will increase compared with the EUR.
The EUR/USD exchange rate is, at the time, around 1.2000 (the common
presentation of the Euro-US$ pair is EUR/USD, meaning 1.2000 US dollars for 1
Euro). Your feeling can be based on your experience, or on technical analysis,
or fundamental analysis, etc. For whatever reason, you believe that the USD
will rise to around 1.1850 (EUR will be down, which means USD will go up).
You want to profit if your forecast is correct, and so choose to make a trade.
Step (2): Determining the deal
Below is a screen-shot of a Day-Trading deal in the making and an explanation
of each step required to put the trade into effect:
Select currencies: Select the currencies in the Forex pair. There is no
connection between your “base working currency” (or “account base

currency”, the currency in which you handle your Forex account and make
deposits and withdrawals) and the currencies in the pair you select. In this
example you selected “BUY USD” because you feel it is low in terms of Euro,
and it will increase in the near future. Once it increases to the level you
anticipate, you will close the deal, and get more EUR for the USD you
previously “bought” - hence, you make profit.
Select the amount: Since Forex trading is “non-delivery” trading (i.e. – no
physical currencies are transacted), the Forex deal (contract) has a “volume”,
or “size”, meaning the amount of the currencies in this contract. You
determine the volume of the contract, but you do not have to purchase the
whole amount. In general, you work in the most common leverage (see
below), 1:100: therefore a deal of 10,000 Euro will require much less money
to facilitate it.
Select the amount to risk: This is your investment. This is the amount you
risk, meaning the MAXIMUM amount you can lose. On a 1:100 leverage, EUR
10,000 against USD thus requires only USD 100 (in fact, the actual leverage
you are offered in this case is 1:120, since you “buy” EUR10,000 with USD
12,000 guaranteed using only USD 100 of your own money).
Stop-Loss rate: This is the currency exchange rate at which your deal would
automatically close in the event the market ran counter to your forecast. In
this event, you would lose your USD 100 investment. You can define another
Stop-Loss rate, however, the “amount to risk” will change accordingly. There
is a direct relationship between the Stop-Loss rate and the “Margin” (i.e the
amount risked) required for the deal.
Freeze Rate: This feature is unique to the
Easy-Forex™
Trading Platform. You
see the rate for the deal and you are almost ready to accept it, but before
you do, you need a few seconds to think. With the freeze rate feature you are
allowed a few seconds more to either decline or accept the deal.
Accept: When you’re ready, click “Accept” and your deal is activated. You
have enough money in your Forex account to make the deal, so it’s in play.
You are holding now an “Open Position” in Forex.
Please note, “Renewal until…: The Day-Trading deal resembles a “SPOT”
transaction (but is not identical). The rates in the deal are the updated
current rates (“spot”), and the deal may be closed anytime during the trading
day. However, the trader can extend the deal to the following day (paying a
small renewal fee). Most platforms offer an automatic renewal of the deal,
for a few days period. The trader may close the position at any time. If the
trader closes the deal before the indicated closing time (usually it is 22:00
GMT), no renewal fee will be charged.

Step (3): Checking account status
Below is a screen-shot of a typical “My Position” report:
With online platform s, traders have 24x7 access in order to monitor open
positions, to close positions, or change parameters (definitions) in the deal.
ID: The reference number of the deal, as recorded in the platform.
Open date: The day the deal was opened by the trader.
Buy: The volume of the currency “bought”.
Sell: The volume of the currency “sold”.
Rolling until: The last day to which the deal will be automatically renewed.
Rate: The exchange rate of the currency pair in the deal.
Stop-Loss rate: The rate defined for automatic “stop-loss” of the deal. The
deal will close if this rate occurs in the market during the time the deal is
active.
Take-Profit rate: (Not defined in this example). This is the rate at which the
deal will close automatically assuming the market moves in the direction
forecast by the trader. When defined, this rate allows a trader to take profit
automatically when a set rate is achieved, thus allowing the trader to focus
on other tasks rather than watching the market closely.
Margin: The amount invested by the trader for the deal. This is the maximum
amount the trader can lose.

Last rate: The last known rate (it is the current rate at the time the trader is
viewing the screen).
Current Profit/Loss: The status of the trader’s position. This will be the profit
(or the loss) from this deal, if it was closed at this very second.
Check closing value: Pressing this key will calculate and present the status of
all of the trader’s open Day-Trading deals (total profit or loss). This is the
place for the trader to manually close a position, before it reaches Stop-Loss
or Take-Profit.
Change Stop-Loss: The trader is allowed to change his Stop-Loss, at any time
while the deal is still active. As previously mentioned, doing so would affect
the amount of margin needed for the deal. If the trader changes the Stop-Loss
downward (in a case where the position is losing, and is now near the
automatic closing), then additional funds will be required for margin. If the
trader changes the Stop-Loss upward (in a case where the deal will already
see a profit, and the trader wishes to define a higher Stop-Loss to decrease
the original risk), then the difference will be credited.
Change Take-Profit: Similarly, the trader is allowed to define, or change, a
Take-Profit rate. Note that unlike a Stop-Loss rate, the trader does not have
to define any Take-Profit rate; it simply allows the trader to focus on tasks
other than rate-watching.
Scenario: The trader can key in various hypothetical exchange rates to see
their impact on their overall position (amount of profit or loss), if and when
such rates occur in the market.
Step (4): Closing the deal manually
Using the deal defined in the screen shot above, the deal definitions are: Buy
USD; sell EUR; EUR10,000; Deal rate 1.1952; Stop-Loss 1.2052; no Take-Profit
defined; margin USD 100.
The table below shows what would occur under various scenarios:
Change in
Rate of
Closing Rate Profit / Loss Comments
Exchange
return on
Rate
investment
Maximum loss; the deal
00
1.2200 Loss USD 100.
was automatically closed
-2.0% -100%
already on 1.2052
Maximum loss; the deal
00
1.2150 Loss USD 100.
was automatically closed
-1.6% -100%
already on 1.2052
00
1.2100 Loss USD 100.
Maximum loss; the deal
was automatically closed -1.2% -100%

Change in
Rate of
Closing Rate Profit / Loss Comments
Exchange
return on
Rate
investment
already on 1.2052
00
1.2050 Loss USD 98.
-0.8% -98%
00
1.2000 Loss USD 48.
-0.4% -48%
00
1.1950 Profit USD 2.
0.0% 2%
00
1.1900 Profit USD 52.
0.4% 52%
00
1.1850 Profit USD 102.
0.9% 102%
00
1.1800 Profit USD 152.
1.4% 152%
00
1.1750 Profit USD 202.
1.9% 202%
00
1.1700 Profit USD 252.
2.4% 252%
The table shows the effect of “leveraged” trading: the trader invests USD 100,
for a EUR 10,000 contract. Therefore, a small change in the currency
exchange rate reflects a much higher change in value.
The Trader may lose up to 100% of the investment (USD 100), but can gain an
unlimited profit.
The table also illustrates the value of PIPs. In this deal, every PIP (the fourth
decimal digit) results in a profit or loss of USD 1.00 to the trader. So long as
the trader gains on this deal, each PIP is worth $1 on a $100 margin leveraged
at 1:100 .
Limit Orders (reserving a Day-Trading deal)
Some dealing rooms and platforms offer the trader the ability to set a
"reserved" rate for a deal, that would "capture", if and when such a rate
occurs in the market, resulting in a Day-Trading deal.
The trader can define the rate he/she wishes, letting the platform do the
watching, until (if and when), it appears in the market.
Easy-Forex™
does not
charge additional fees for Limit Orders. Setting up a Limit Order is very
similar to the process described above for Day-Trading. Should the reserved
deal not be realized, the funds which were allocated for it will be returned to
the trader's account.
You don’t have to miss a trading opportunity when you go on vacation! Make a
Limit-Order with your preferred currency rate, and
Easy-Forex™
will automatically
open the deal for you (if indeed it occurs in the market), at no costs!

Understanding the nuances of the Forex market requires experience and
training, but is critical to success. In fact, ongoing learning is as important to
the veteran trader as it is to the beginner. The foreign currency market is
massive, and the key to success is knowledge. Through training, observation
and practice, you can learn how to identify and understand where the Forex
market is going, and what controls that direction.
To invest in the right currencies at the right time in a large, nonstop and
global trading arena, there is much to learn. Forex markets move quickly and
can take new directions from moment to moment. Forex training helps you
assess when to enter a currency based on the direction it is taking, and how
to forecast its direction for the near future.
Training with
Easy-Forex™
Easy-Forex™ offers one of the most effective forms of training through hands-
on experience. For as little as USD 25 at risk per trade, you can start trading
while learning in real-time. Easy-Forex™ strongly recommends starting with
very small volumes, and depositing an amount to cover a series of trades.
Learn the basics of the foreign exchange market, trading terminology,
advanced technical analysis, and how to develop successful trading strategies.
Discover how the Forex market offers more opportunities for quick financial
gains than almost any other market.
To learn more about the trading advantages of Easy-Forex™, join
Easy-Forex™
(registration is quick and free, no obligation)
The many available resources and tools to train yourself
There are many free tools and resources available in the market, particularly
online. Among these, you will find:
Charts
There are many kinds of charts (see Chapter 6, Technical Analysis). Start with
simple charts. Try to identify trends and major changes, and try to relate
them to technical patterns as well as to macro events (news, either financial

or political). Make an effort to determine the general magnitude of each
change on the chart (meaning: what is the $ value of the change, if you were
trading at that point).
Guided tours
Most platforms provide guided tours, demos or tutorials, either online or via
download.
News / breaking news
Keep abreast of world news. Read all the headlines, particularly those directly
related to Forex. Check the impact of such news, if any, on the charts.
Forex outlooks
Read daily/weekly outlooks posted on Forex or general financial sites. Many
include alerts to upcoming reports and events such as market indicators and
interest rate decisions.
To read today’s professional outlook and view detailed charts, join Easy-
Forex™ (registration is quick and free, no obligation):
www.Easy-Forex.com
Forecasts
Read forecasts, some of which are available free of charge. Bear in mind that
forecasts and predictions are made by people, none of whom can guarantee
the occurrence of future events…
Indices
Follow the indices of the leading markets (e.g. Dow-Jones, NASDAQ; Nikkei;
etc.). Compare them to the changes in the Forex market, as well as to
changes in particular currency pairs.
Economic indicators
Pay attention to the release of economic indicators (for example – the
monthly unemployment rate in the USA), and try to identify their impact on
the market in general, and on specific currency pairs in particular.
Glossary
Don’t hesitate to browse Forex glossaries, which are offered free on many
platforms. A given word may have different meaning as it relates to Forex and
to the terminology used by the Forex market participants.

Seminars and courses
Try to attend professional Forex seminars. Some seminars are offered free,
often as part of a client recruitment process by a given platform; many are,
nevertheless, worth attending. Educational courses are offered online and by
many post-secondary institutions.
Forex books
Read, or even just browse. Many books are offered free, or as part of a
service package to the trader. For many, historical background and technical
analysis are topics better covered in books than in an educational setting.
Internet forums / blogs
Visit and participate in Forex forums. This gives you an opportunity to learn
from the experience of others. Of course, remember that some forum
participants may be biased, promoting a given Forex platform or their own
agenda.
No commissions? How about profit withdrawal fees?
(No hidden costs at Easy-Forex™. Join and trade without banking costs or other
indirect costs. Read more:
)
www.Easy-Forex.com/ - Spreads and Commissions
So much to consider…
To succeed as a Forex trader, you must take into consideration a wide variety
of factors such as:
• spread (“pips”);
• commissions and fees;
• ease of access to the trading platform;
• minimum amounts needed for trading;
• additional amounts needed (if any);
• control over activity and positions;
• the platform software requirements;
• ease of deposits and withdrawals;
• personal service and support provided by the platform;
• the platform’s business partners;
• the platform’s management, offices and outreach;
• the products offered onboard the platform; and many others.

Online training, no downloads
Easy-Forex™
is dedicated to educating its customers. Customers can access
FREE
one-on-one
online training. The training goal is to teach people specific
strategies for trading currencies over the internet. Both novice investors and
expert day traders have benefited from the training provided by
Easy-Forex™
.
The “demo” account idea
Many Forex platforms offer new registrants a “demo” account. A typical
example would provide 10,000 “demo” dollars that can be “traded” as a
means of learning how to succeed in Forex.
Easy-Forex™
does not offer “demo” accounts. Coming to understand that
reason must rule over emotion is the most important lesson a trader can
learn, and it cannot be done with play money. If there is no consequence to
indulging in emotional responses to the market, there is no learning, so
“demo” accounts tend to have little educational value. Rather, Easy-Forex™
allows you to start trading with just $50, including full access to one-on-one
training. New registrants are thus able to garner both an educational and
experiential benefit unavailable through simulated situations.
To get personal assistance and free training,
Join Easy-Forex™
(registration is quick and free, no obligation)

How a Forex system operates in real time
Online foreign exchange trading occurs in real time. Exchange rates are
constantly changing, in intervals of seconds. Quotes are accurate for the time
they are displayed only. At any moment, a different rate may be quoted.
When a trader locks in a rate and executes a transaction, that transaction is
immediately processed; the trade has been executed.
Up-to-date exchange rates
As rates change so rapidly, any Forex software must display the most up-to-
date rates. To accomplish this, the Forex software is continuously
communicating with a remote server that provides the most current exchange
rates. The rates quoted, unlike traditional bank exchange rates, are actual
tradable rates. A trader may choose to “lock in” to a rate (called the
“freeze
rate”
) only as long as it is displayed.
Trading online on Forex platforms
The internet revolution caused a major change in the way Forex trading is
conducted throughout the world.
Until the advent of the internet-Forex age at the end of the 1990’s, Forex
trading was conducted via phone orders (or fax, or in-person), posted to
brokers or banks. Most of the trading could be executed only during business
hours. The same was true for most activities related to Forex, such as making
the deposits necessary for trading, not to mention profit taking. The internet
has radically altered the Forex market, enabling around the clock trading and
conveniences such as the use of credit cards for fund deposits.
Forex on the internet: basic steps
In general, the individual Forex trader is required to fulfill two steps prior to
trading:
• Register at the trading platform
• Deposit funds to facilitate trading

Requirements vary with each trading platform, but these steps bear further
discussion:
Registering
Registration is done online by the individual trader. There are various forms
used in the industry. Some are quite simple, where others are longer and
more time-consuming. In part, this can be attributed to governmental or
other authorities’ requirements, though some Forex platforms require more
information than is actually needed. Some even require a face-to-face
meeting, or to obtain hard copies of required documents such as a passport,
or driver’s license.
The key requirements for registration are the trader’s full name, telephone,
e-mail address, residence, and sometimes also the trader’s yearly income or
capital (equity) and an ID number (passport / driver’s license / SSN / etc.).
Typically, the Forex platform is not required to run a thorough check, but rely
on the registrant to be truthful. Nevertheless, each Forex platform conducts
certain routines, in order to check and verify the authenticity of the details
provided.
Registrants are required to declare that funds used for trading are not in
question, and are not the result of any criminal act or money laundering
activity. This is mandatory as part of a global anti-money laundering effort.
It is advised that the reader becomes familiar with Anti-Money Laundering
regulations, and the procedures associated with the prevention of this
criminal activity.
Depositing funds
New registrants must deposit funds to facilitate trading. However, the
majority of the Forex platforms today require that, in addition to funds used
for actual trading, an additional amount be deposited. Often called
“maintenance margin” or “activity collateral”, its purpose is for the platform
to have an additional guarantee. Some of the platforms that require an
additional deposit do pay interest on the collateral, which is “frozen” under
the trader’s name.
The
Easy-Forex™
Trading Platform does NOT require any additional guarantee,
and allows trading with 100% of the amount deposited. Easy-Forex™ is able to

provide these advantages because it assures “guaranteed rates and Stop-
Loss”. That means that there will never be any additional requirement for
funds as a result of a “gap” that causes you to surpass the Stop-Loss. See “20
issues you must consider” (Chapter 9) for more.
Trading online
The trading platform operates 24 hours a day just as the global Forex market
runs around the clock.
However, many online Forex market makers require the download and
installation of software specific to their own trading platform. Consequently,
accessibility is limited to those terminals that have the software. Since Forex
trading is borderless, and may be performed at any given time, it is obviously
advantageous to have access to trading from as many locations as possible.
The
Easy-Forex™
Trading Platform is a fully web-based system, which means
trading can be conducted from any computer connected to the internet.
Traders are only required to log-in, ensure they have available funds to trade,
or make new deposits, and commence trading.
The Trading Platform: real-time software
The main feature of any Forex trading platform is real time access to
exchange rates, to deal and order making, to deposits and withdrawals, and
to monitoring the status of positions and one’s account.
The
Easy-Forex™
Trading Platform system uses web services to continuously
fetch the most current exchange rates. The most recent data displays without
the need for a page refresh. This includes account status screens such as “My
Position”, which updates continually to reflect changes in rates and other real
time elements.
Easy-Forex™ guarantees the accuracy, security and integrity of all
transactions.
Read more here
Transaction processing and storage
As soon as a transaction is executed, the relevant data is processed securely
and sent to the data server where it is stored. A backup is created on a
different server farm, to ensure data integrity and continuity. All of this
happens in real time, with no human intervention.

Trading via brokers and dealing rooms (by phone)
Performing Forex trading via Dealing Room dealers (over the phone) requires
knowledge about the way dealing rooms work, and the terminologies used in
the course of trading.
At start, the client should specify whether he/she is interested in obtaining a
QUOTE (in order to make a deal) or just an INDICATION. In the case of an
indication, the price given does not bind the dealer, but rather provides
information about market conditions.
When asking for QUOTE, the trader must specify the currency pair and the
deal amount (volume). For example: “Need a quote for EUR/USD in
EUR100,000”.
It is wise to withhold from the dealer the intended direction of the deal,
specifying the pair only. Accordingly, the dealer then provides a quote
comprising two prices, buy and sell (“both sides quote”). The quote binds the
dealer for the very second it is given. If the trader does not immediately ask
for execution, then the price is no longer in force. The dealer would then tell
the customer “risk”, or “change”, meaning – the price quoted is no longer in
force. In such case, the trader should ask for a new price.
On the other hand, in order to make a deal, the trader must proclaim “buy”
or “sell”, together with the currency (or the price).
An example:
• The trader asks for a quote for EUR/USD.
• The dealer says “1.2010/15”.
• If the trader wants to buy EUR, he/she says “buy" (or "buy EURO”, or
“15”.
• If the trader wants to sell EUR, he/she says “sell" (or "sell EURO”, or
“10”.
The moment the trader says “buy” (or “sell”) he/she is bound to the deal,
regardless of the market situation.
Banks are closed at nights, weekends and holidays. Trade, deposit and
withdraw at
, 24x7

Today, the Forex market is a nonstop cash market where currencies of nations
are traded, typically via brokers. Foreign currencies are continually and
simultaneously bought and sold across local and global markets. The value of
traders' investments increases or decreases based on currency movements.
Foreign exchange market conditions can change at any time in response to
real-time events.
The main attractions of short-term currency trading to private investors are:
24-hour trading, 5 days a week with nonstop access (24/7) to global
•
Forex dealers.
An enormous liquid market, making it easy to trade most currencies.
•
Volatile markets offering profit opportunities.
•
Standard instruments for controlling risk exposure.
•
The ability to profit in rising as well as falling markets.
•
Leveraged trading with low margin requirements.
•
Many options for zero commission trading.
•
A brief history of the Forex market
The following is an overview into the historical evolution of the foreign
exchange market and the roots of the international currency trading, from the
days of the gold exchange, through the Bretton-Woods Agreement, to its
current manifestation.
The Gold exchange period and the Bretton-Woods Agreement
The Bretton-Woods Agreement, established in 1944, fixed national currencies
against the US dollar, and set the dollar at a rate of USD 35 per ounce of gold.
In 1967, a Chicago bank refused to make a loan in pound sterling to a college
professor by the name of Milton Friedman, because he had intended to use
the funds to short the British currency. The bank's refusal to grant the loan
was due to the Bretton-Woods Agreement.
Bretton-Woods was aimed at establishing international monetary stability by
preventing money from taking flight across countries, thus curbing speculation
in foreign currencies. Between 1876 and World War I, the gold exchange
standard had ruled over the international economic system. Under the gold

standard, currencies experienced an era of stability because they were
supported by the price of gold.
However, the gold standard had a weakness in that it tended to create boom-
bust economies. As an economy strengthened, it would import a great deal,
running down the gold reserves required to support its currency. As a result,
the money supply would diminish, interest rates would escalate and economic
activity would slow to the point of recession. Ultimately, prices of
commodities would hit rock bottom, thus appearing attractive to other
nations, who would then sprint into a buying frenzy. In turn, this would inject
the economy with gold until it increased its money supply, thus driving down
interest rates and restoring wealth. Such boom-bust patterns were common
throughout the era of the gold standard, until World War I temporarily
discontinued trade flows and the free movement of gold.
The Bretton-Woods Agreement was founded after World War II, in order to
stabilize and regulate the international Forex market. Participating countries
agreed to try to maintain the value of their currency within a narrow margin
against the dollar and an equivalent rate of gold. The dollar gained a premium
position as a reference currency, reflecting the shift in global economic
dominance from Europe to the USA. Countries were prohibited from devaluing
their currencies to benefit export markets, and were only allowed to devalue
their currencies by less than 10%. Post-war construction during the 1950s,
however, required great volumes of Forex trading as masses of capital were
needed. This had a destabilizing effect on the exchange rates established in
Bretton-Woods.
In 1971, the agreement was scrapped when the US dollar ceased to be
exchangeable for gold. By 1973, the forces of supply and demand were in
control of the currencies of major industrialized nations, and currency now
moved more freely across borders. Prices were floated daily, with volumes,
speed and price volatility all increasing throughout the 1970s. New financial
instruments, market deregulation and trade liberalization emerged, further
stoking growth of Forex markets.
The explosion of computer technology that began in the 1980s accelerated
the pace by extending the market continuum for cross-border capital
movements through Asian, European and American time zones. Transactions
in foreign exchange increased rapidly from nearly $70 billion a day in the
1980s, to more than $2 trillion a day two decades later.

The explosion of the euro market
The rapid development of the Eurodollar market, which can be defined as US
dollars deposited in banks outside the US, was a major mechanism for
speeding up Forex trading. Similarly, Euro markets are those where currencies
are deposited outside their country of origin. The Eurodollar market came
into being in the 1950s as a result of the Soviet Union depositing US dollars
earned from oil revenue outside the US, in fear of having these assets frozen
by US regulators. This gave rise to a vast offshore pool of dollars outside the
control of US authorities. The US government reacted by imposing laws to
restrict dollar lending to foreigners. Euro markets were particularly attractive
because they had far fewer regulations and offered higher yields. From the
late 1980s onwards, US companies began to borrow offshore, finding Euro
markets an advantageous place for holding excess liquidity, providing short-
term loans and financing imports and exports.
London was and remains the principal offshore market. In the 1980s, it
became the key center in the Eurodollar market, when British banks began
lending dollars as an alternative to pounds in order to maintain their leading
position in global finance. London's convenient geographical location
(operating during Asian and American markets) is also instrumental in
preserving its dominance in the Euro market.
Euro-Dollar currency exchange
The euro to US dollar exchange rate is the price at which the world demand
for US dollars equals the world supply of euros. Regardless of geographical
origin, a rise in the world demand for euros leads to an appreciation of the
euro.
Factors affecting the Euro to US dollar exchange rate
Four factors are identified as fundamental determinants of the real euro to US
dollar exchange rate:
The international real interest rate differential between the Federal
•
Reserve and European Central Bank
Relative prices in the traded and non-traded goods sectors
•
The real oil price
•
The relative fiscal position of the US and Euro zone
•
The nominal bilateral US dollar to euro exchange is the exchange rate that
attracts the most attention. Notwithstanding the comparative importance of

bilateral trade links with the US, trade with the UK is, to some extent, more
important for the euro.
The following chart illustrates the EUR/USD exchange rate over time, from
the inauguration of the euro, until mid 2006. Note that each line (the
EUR/USD, USD/EUR) is a “mirror” image of the other, since both are
reciprocal to one another. This chart is illustrates the steady (general) decline
of the USD (in terms of euro) from the beginning of 2002 until the end of
2004.
In the long run, the correlation between the bilateral US dollar to euro
exchange rate, and different measures of the effective exchange rate of
Euroland, has been rather high, especially when one looks at the effective
real exchange rate. As inflation is at very similar levels in the US and the Euro
area, there is no need to adjust the US dollar to euro rate for inflation
differentials. However, because the Euro zone also trades intensively with
countries that have relatively high inflation rates (e.g. some countries in
Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, etc.), it is more important to downplay
nominal exchange rate measures by looking at relative price and cost
developments.

The fall of the US dollar
The steady and orderly decline of the US dollar from early 2002 to early 2004
against the euro, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and a few other currencies
(i.e. its trade-weighted average, which is what counts for purposes of trade
adjustment), while significant, has still only amounted to about 20 percent.
There are two reasons why concerns about a free fall of the US dollar may not
be worth considering. Firstly, the US external deficit will stay high only if US
growth remains vigorous, and if the US continues to grow strongly, it will also
retain a strong attraction for foreign capital which, in turn, should support
the US dollar. Secondly, attempts by the monetary authorities in Asia to keep
their currencies weak will probably not work in the long run.
When was the last time the EUR-JPY pair was over 150.00?
(Have a look at
).
Easy-Forex™ professional charts
The basic theories underlying the US dollar to euro exchange rate
Law of One Price:
In competitive markets, free of transportation cost barriers
to trade, identical products sold in different countries must sell at the same
price when the prices are stated in terms of the same currency.
Interest rate effects:
If capital is allowed to flow freely, exchange rates
become stable at a point where equality of interest is established.
The dual forces of supply and demand
These two reciprocal forces determine euro vs. US dollar exchange rates.
Various factors affect these two forces, which in turn affect the exchange
rates:
The business environment:
Positive indications (in terms of government
policy, competitive advantages, market size, etc.) increase the demand for
the currency, as more and more enterprises want to invest in its place of
origin.
Stock market:
The major stock indices also have a correlation with the
currency rates, providing a daily read of the mood of the business
environment.

Political factors:
All exchange rates are susceptible to political instability and
anticipation about new governments. For example, political instability in
Russia is also a flag for the euro to US dollar exchange, because of the
substantial amount of German investment in Russia.
Economic data:
Economic data such as labor reports (payrolls, unemployment
rate and average hourly earnings), consumer price indices (CPI), producer
price indices (PPI), gross domestic product (GDP), international trade,
productivity, industrial production, consumer confidence etc., also affect
currency exchange rates.
Confidence in a currency is the greatest determinant of the real euro to US
dollar exchange rate. Decisions are made based on expected future
developments that may affect the currency.
Types of exchange rate systems
An exchange can operate under one of four main types of exchange rate
systems:
Fully fixed exchange rates
In a fixed exchange rate system, the government (or the central bank acting
on its behalf) intervenes in the currency market in order to keep the exchange
rate close to a fixed target. It is committed to a single fixed exchange rate
and does not allow major fluctuations from this central rate.
Semi-fixed exchange rates
Currency can move within a permitted range, but the exchange rate is the
dominant target of economic policy-making. Interest rates are set to meet
the target exchange rate.
Free floating
The value of the currency is determined solely by supply and demand in the
foreign exchange market. Consequently, trade flows and capital flows are the
main factors affecting the exchange rate.
The definition of a floating exchange rate system is a monetary system in
which exchange rates are allowed to move due to market forces without
intervention by national governments. The Bank of England, for example,
does not actively intervene in the currency markets to achieve a desired
exchange rate level.
With floating exchange rates, changes in market supply and demand cause a
currency to change in value. Pure free floating exchange rates are rare - most

governments at one time or another seek to “manage” the value of their
currency through changes in interest rates and other means of controls.
Managed floating exchange rates
Most governments engage in managed floating systems, if not part of a fixed
exchange rate system.
The advantages of fixed exchange rates
Fixed rates provide greater certainty for exporters and importers and, under
normal circumstances, there is less speculative activity - though this depends
on whether dealers in foreign exchange markets regard a given fixed
exchange rate as appropriate and credible.
The advantages of floating exchange rates
Fluctuations in the exchange rate can provide an automatic adjustment for
countries with a large balance of payments deficit. A second key advantage of
floating exchange rates is that it allows the government/monetary authority
flexibility in determining interest rates as they do not need to be used to
influence the exchange rate.
The EUR-USD has dropped? So w
hat!
(you can profit in any direction it takes, provided you chose the winning direction…)
Who are the participants in today’s Forex market?
In general, there are two main groups in the Forex marketplace:
Hedgers
account for less than 5% of the market, but are the key reason
futures and other such financial instruments exist. The group using these
hedging tools is primarily businesses and other organizations participating in
international trade. Their goal is to diminish or neutralize the impact of
currency fluctuations.
Speculators
account for more than 95% of the market.
This group includes private individuals and corporations, public entities,
banks, etc. They participate in the Forex market in order to create profit,
taking advantage of the fluctuations of interest rates and exchange rates.

The activity of this group is responsible for the high liquidity of the Forex
market. They conduct their trading by using leveraged investing, making it a
financially efficient source for earning.
Market making
Since most Forex deals are made by (individual and organizational) traders, in
conjunction with market makers, it’s important to understand the role of the
market maker in the Forex industry.
Questions and answers about 'market making'
What is a market maker?
A
market maker
is the counterpart to the client. The Market Maker does not
operate as an intermediary or trustee. A Market Maker performs the hedging
of its clients' positions according to its policy, which includes offsetting
various clients' positions, and hedging via liquidity providers (banks) and its
equity capital, at its discretion.
Who are the market makers in the Forex industry?
Banks, for example, or trading platforms (such as
Easy-Forex™
), who buy and
sell financial instruments “make the market”. That is contrary to
intermediaries, which represent clients, basing their income on commission.
Do market makers go against a client's position?
By definition, a market maker is the counterpart to all its clients' positions,
and always offers a two-sided quote (two rates: BUY and SELL). Therefore,
there is nothing personal between the market maker and the customer.
Generally, market makers regard all of the positions of their clients as a
whole. They offset between clients' opposite positions, and hedge their net
exposure according to their risk management policies and the guidelines of
regulatory authorities.
Do market makers and clients have a conflict of interest?
Market makers are not intermediaries, portfolio managers, or advisors, who
represent customers (while earning commission). Instead, they buy and sell
currencies to the customer, in this case the trader. By definition, the market
maker always provides a two-sided quote (the sell and the buy price), and
thus is indifferent in regards to the intention of the trader. Banks do that, as
do merchants in the markets, who both buy from, and sell to, their

customers. The relationship between the trader (the customer) and the
market maker (the bank; the trading platform;
Easy-Forex™
; etc.) is simply
based on the fundamental market forces of supply and demand.
Can a market maker influence market prices against a client’s position?
Definitely not, because the Forex market is the nearest thing to a “perfect
market” (as defined by economic theory) in which no single participant is
powerful enough to push prices in a specific direction. This is the biggest
market in the world today, with daily volumes reaching 3 trillion dollars. No
market maker is in a position to effectively manipulate the market.
What is the main source of earnings for Forex market makers?
The major source of earnings for market makers is the spread between the bid
and the ask prices.
Easy-Forex™
Trading Platform, for instance, maintains
neutrality regarding the direction of any or all deals made by its traders; it
earns its income from the spread.
How do market makers manage their exposure?
The way most market makers hedge their exposure is to hedge in bulk. They
aggregate all client positions and pass some, or all, of their net risk to their
liquidity providers. Easy-Forex™, for example, hedges its exposure in this
fashion, in accordance with its risk management policy and legal
requirements.
For liquidity,
Easy-Forex™
works in cooperation with world's leading banks
providing liquidity to the Forex industry: UBS (Switzerland) and RBS (Royal
Bank of Scotland).
Easy-Forex™ guarantees the accuracy, security and integrity of all
transactions.