Forex Trading Basics – Forex Pips, Quotes And Spreaad

by

Owen Moore

Know what is forex pips and spread and just how it does work. These are very important measure of success in forex trading.

Understanding Pips and Lot Size

Let us understand the basic measure of success or failure in every forex trading. Percentage in point of PIP is the smallest price increment in forex trading. Pip is always measure by the last digit in forex price quotes, say you bought EUR/USD at 1.3123 and was able to sell it at 1.3126, you then earn 3 pips which is the difference between the sell price and the buy price. Every pip has a dollar equivalent depending on the lot size a trader is trading. Micro lot 1 pip is equal to $0.10, a mini lot 1 pip is equal to $1.00 and a standard lot 1 pip is equal to $10.00.

Reading Forex Quotes

To better understand how forex quotes works let us assume on the following sample quote price for EUR/USD (Euro Dollar); Sell price 1.3120 and Buy price 1.3123, this quote means that you can buy EUR/USD at 1.3123 and you can sell it or short sell it at 1.3120. You notice that the sell price and the buy price are not equal, their difference is what we know as spread.

Understanding Forex Spread

Most forex brokers do not charge that client with commission fees or brokers fees, how then do the forex brokers earn when we trade with them? Forex brokers sell their services not only via their platform but most especially by offering lower spread or fix spread. Once you enter a trade you will immediately suffer a loss amounting to the spread of the currency. Example if you buy EUR/USD at 1.3123 you already have a loss of 3 pips since you can only sell this at 1.3120. The 3 pips initial loss actually goes to your broker and works like a broker\’s fee.

Our first example is a buy transaction it will also be the same when you sell short a currency pair. Selling short EUR/USD at 1.3123 will give you the same 3 pip loss because when you close your short trade you will have to buy it at 1.3120.

Are we charged with the forex spread every time we enter a trade? The answer is yes, every time you enter a trade you are charged by your broker with the spread and your broker will collect this amount the time you close your trade, that is selling if you initially bought and buying if you initially sell short.

There are times when the forex currency spread shoot up to the roof especially during times that the market is very volatile like when trading news announcement like NFP and rate interest adjustments or in times when the market is still digesting an economic news or information.

Now start talking in terms of pips when you measure profit or loss in forex trading or when you are describing a currency price range. Take advantage of brokers that offers small spread or better yet guaranteed fix spread. Avoid buying or selling during wild movement of price because you increase the risk of getting charge with a high spread.

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