The two main currency trading methods we are going to outline in this article are:

1. Using Leverage
2. Taking Ownership

Once a reasonable amount of experience and knowledge has been gained in the currency trading market (FOREX) it can be very profitable to combine both methods. Here are the main characteristics of each:

1. Using Leverage

Beginners in currency trading will typically find an online broker, open a free demo account, read a manual or take a tutorial, and start practicing speculating skills based on technical indicators.

Through the online broker they are able to use leverage so if they eventually decide to open a mini account, a 100:1 leverage means that with $1 they can participate in the market with $1,000. If in time they graduate to a regular account, 1 trading lot of $10 can be leveraged by the broker so $100,000 can be traded for another currency.

Many newcomers to currency trading concentrate on getting small profits, getting in and out of the trade quickly, usually taking no longer than a few hours at the most. Day trading necessitates learning how to read candle charts, recognizing patterns, and anticipating where price is likely to go.

As many new traders find when they have been currency trading for a while, it is possible to have a succession of losing trades, and without proper equity management, their account can be blown necessitating another cash injection to allow them to trade again.

A series of blown accounts can add up and many view this as part of their currency trading education expenses.

Alternating between a demo account and a mini account can reduce the cost so the new currency trader can regain confidence in the demo before going back to live trading again. Eventually, the hope is that the trader will develop a consistent trading pattern so more trades are won than lost so their equity gradually increases.

2. Taking Ownership

This method of currency trading still requires a learning curve as one has to anticipate the market moves and recognize chart patterns. Unlike using leverage however, the risk of financial loss is smaller and you are not in danger of ‘blowing your account.’

It simply means you create a portfolio with whatever funds you wish to commit to currency trading and open bank accounts in each of the currencies you wish to trade.

For example, you may wish to open bank accounts for any of the following:

• US Dollar
• British Pound
• European Euro
• Japanese Yen
• Swiss Franc

Of course, more substantial sums of money are needed to make this method of currency trading worthwhile after taking into account bank transfer charges.

However, if you have x,000 dollars or euros or any of the big five currencies to commit to currency trading this method is certainly worth considering.

After studying technical indicators and learning about support and resistance and Fibonacci calculations, you will soon recognize key patterns on the higher time frame charts. Using daily and weekly charts will bring to your attention currency pairs that are in an up or down trend or pairs that appear to be topping out or reaching a strategic high or low.

If for example the British pound reaches a high against the dollar that is the highest it has been for many years, there is a reasonable possibility that it will not stay at that level. Taking a portion of your equity and buying dollars would make good sense. Within a few days or weeks depending on your profit targets, the pound is like to come down at which time you sell dollars and buy pounds.

For example, with GBP10,000 you purchase dollars as the pound touches 2.000 against the dollar. You now own USD20,000. Within a few days the pound pulls back to 1.9800 at which time you sell dollars and buy pounds giving you GBP10,101 less bank transfer fees.

This is just a quick example of how the ownership method of currency trading works. Of course, the currency may not go in the direction you anticipate in which case your equity will be reduced. You will then need to hold that currency until such time it increases in value. Alternatively, you may see another opportunity involving a different currency cross and be prepared to take a loss in order to use that capital in a new trade.

Once currency trading skills have been acquired, the ownership method can be quite profitable, especially as your equity increases. This method requires patience as ideal setups may not appear very often. But when they do you can commit a reasonable part of your portfolio to the trade with a high probability you will profit.

Currency Trading Is High Risk

Currency trading is viewed as a high risk enterprise, and with good reason. A very high proportion of those who attempt to trade the Forex fail and give up in time, up to 95% according to some authorities. Other veteran traders suggest it can take from a few months to 3 years to gain the necessary skills – quite a learning curve!

Those who have the psychological stamina and determination to ride the bumps, accept the losses, and keep coming back until they are able to make consistent profits, are generously rewarded with a changed financial status.

Author: Michael A Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: PCB Prototype & Manufacturing

When you  first get into Forex trading, Forex money management appears to be boring to the real fun: of actual trading. But Forex money management is a vital element if you goal is to make any real gains in Forex trading, you will find that money management is as important as your trading skills. The most successful Forex traders are those who use money management techniques to maintain steady gains and minimize their losses.

Your starting point for money management should begin before you ever start Forex trading and actually spend any money. The experienced Forex traders highly recommend that you start small and learn to fully understand the markets before jumping in with the hope of making it big.

The best advice for the new trader is to never trade more than around 1 per cent of your equity on any one single trade.  If you follow this advice you are Start with only risking 1 per cent, in going this route you could afford to have 20 consecutive loses and you will still have 80 per cent of your oringinal equity left. This will help ensure that you don’t lose everthing before you get your system working and start making gains.  This is also a great philosophy
that will help you to build your confidence at a nice slow and steady pace.

The second part of your Forex money management should be to determine how much you can honestly afford to lose. This way if you were to lose all of it, you still have food on the table and a roof over your head!

There are also other ways to aid you from having damaging losses when you begin trading on the Forex markets.  These are refered to as called stops and there are four different type stops that your broker or you can use to assist in protecting your assets.

1. Using an Equity Stop

This allows you to decide in advance what you are willing to lose on any one single trade; Lets say you are brand new a set your equity stop at say a low, 1 or 2%. As stated above you could lose 10 or 20 times and still have trading capital’once you learn the ropes and are a more seasoned trader, you might think about increasing this to around 5% but remember if you were to make ten bad trades in a row, you have lower your account balance by 50%!

Here is the drawback: you have little or no room for normal positive fluctuations. If you stick with your 1 or 2% equity stop, you could lose out on the more lucrative gains.

2. Using the Chart Stop

These are trading charts created by technical analysis and can be a good indicator of the Forex market movements. If you are technically orentated and enjoy mathematics and probabilities you can often excel using the chart stop, but it is also recommened that you included equity stops into your calculations.

Here is the drawback: It takes time for the information to become available on the charts, and then you need time to analyze it befor your can make a trade, its a good possiblty that the market will have changed again and the information is a little, or greatly, outdated.  There are softwares that can make this process easier.   

3.Using the Volatility Stop

This is based on the chart stop and is a bit more complex, the volatility stop uses price action to gauge the risks of the trade. this is not recommened if you are new to Forex trading, the volatility stop is not easy to comprehend and you will be better off leaving this to your broker.  It deals with high and low volatility of the currency pairs and the application of greater or lesser risk.

Here is the Drawback: Not recommended for the inexperienced trader or the faint of heart.

4. Using the Margin Stop

The basic of the margin stop is where you set in advance of any trades an amount in your account, that when reached you close you trades to prevent any more loses, lets say if your account is at $5,000, and you set your margin to $1,500. You then would have $3,500 to trade with now if your losses were to reach $3,500, then you would end your trade to prevent losing any more.

Drawback: There really is little or no drawback to a margin stop. This allows you to maintain control of your account, even if your broker is doing the trading  for you or not.

Forex money management is a vital element to trading in the Forex markets. You must be both patience and Vigilant to ensure your gains are steady and your  losses are minimized.

Keep up to date on Forex at Forexing Online be sure and Download this free PDF on Getting Started With Forex and check out the top Forex Software Or View It Online

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