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What is the Difference between Forex and Stocks?

Historically the securities markets have been looked at, at least by the majority of the public, as an investment vehicle. In the last ten years securities have taken on a more speculative nature. This was perhaps due to the downfall of the overall stock market as many security issues experienced extreme volatility because of the "irrational exuberance" displayed in the marketplace. The implied return associated with an "investment" was no longer true. (If indeed it ever was.) Many traders engaged in the "day trader" rush of the late 90's only to realize that from a leverage standpoint it took quite a bit of capital to day trade, and the return while potentially higher than long term investing was not exponential to say the least. After the onset of the "day trader" rush, many traders moved into the Futures stock index markets where they found they could leverage their capital greater and not have their capital tied up when it could be earning interest or making money somewhere else. Like the futures markets spot currency trading is an excellent vehicle for the pattern day trader that desires to leverage his current capital to trade. Spot currency trading provides more options and greater volatility while at the same time stronger trends than currently available in stock futures indexes. Former securities day traders have an excellent home in spot foreign exchange.

No Middlemen

Centralized exchanges provide many advantages to the trader. However, one of the problems with any centralized exchange is the involvement of middlemen. Any party located in between the trader and the buyer or seller of the security or instrument trader will cost the them money. Either in time or in fees. Spot currency trading does away with the middlemen and allows clients to interact directly with the market maker responsible for the pricing on a particular currency pair. Quicker access, cheaper costs.

Buy/Sell programs do not control the market

How many times have you heard that "fund A" was selling "X" or buying "Z"; Rumor had it that the funds were taking profits because of the end of the financial year or because today is "triple witching day", all as an explanation of why this stock is up or the market in general is down or positive on the session. No matter what your broker says the stock market is very susceptible to large fund buying and selling, and it is not uncommon for a fund to "run" a particular issue for a few days. In spot currency trading the liquidity of the market makes the likelihood any one fund or bank to control a particular currency very slim. Banks, Hedge funds, FCM's, governments, retail currency conversion houses, and large net worth individuals are just some of the participates in the spot currency markets the liquidity is unprecedented.

At the mercy of Analysts on TV

Have you watched TV lately? Heard about a certain Telecomm stock and an analyst of a prestigous brokerage firm accused of keeping their recommendations "BUY" when the stock was rapidly declining? It is the nature of these relationships. No matter what the government does to step in and discourage this type of activity, we have not heard the last of it. IPO's are big business for both the companies going public and the brokerage houses. Relationships are mutually beneficial and analysts work for the brokerage houses which need the companies as clients. That catch-22 will never disappear. Foreign exchange, as the prime market, generates billions in revenue for the world's banks is a necessity of the global markets. Analysts in foreign exchange don't drive the deal flow, they analyze.

Try Global Forex Trading's Trading Platform RISK FREE for 30 days With a demo account and our DealBookFX® software, you can practice trading at your own pace, using the same real-time data and quotes available to Live Account holders.

7800 stocks vs 4 major currency pairs

There are approximately 4,000 stocks listed on the New York Stock exchange. Another 2,800 are listed on the NASDAQ. Which one will you trade? Got the software? Got time? Got milk in case you have aged significantly when you finally find your trade? In spot currency trading you have 6 major markets, 24 hours a day 5.5 days a week. You have approximately 34 2nd tier currencies to look at in your spare time (if you are so inclined). Concentrate on the majors, find your trade. Spend your afternoon on the golf course, or with your kids instead of with your eye doctor trying to diagnose why you are seeing double.

Commission free

Simply put- No commissions. No clearing fees, no exchange fees, no government fees, no brokerage fees. Sure there may be different names for different fees at different places, but in spot currencies no commissions means just that- NO COMMISSIONS.

Same price for broker assisted trades

No premium for calling in orders, whether or not you trade via the phone, use market orders, stop orders, limit orders or even contingent orders. In spot currency trading you do not have to worry about extra charges. Ever wonder why a securities brokerage house charges you more if they have to guarantee you a price than if you give them a market order with no price qualifier? Well you don't have to worry about it if you trade spot currencies.

Trade off of your profits

Ever been up on a stock and wished you could leverage that profit and get in a little more of the issue? In spot currency trading you can. Use your open profits to add to your positions. As you gain experience, experiment with pyramid trading strategies. The options are endless because the market is cutting edge.

Forex versus Stocks, was brought to you by Global Forex Trading.

DISCLAIMER:  Futures Trading involves a huge risk of financial loss!  FuturesKnowledge.com is a traders research and resource site - and is not meant to be used as a guide for trading.  Due to the large risk involved - we highly recommend that you consult with a number of different resources before attempting to invest in the futures, commodities, options, or any other market we report on.

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