Currencies are traded by individual retail investors, financial institutions, and corporations doing business.

Retail investors and banks trade to make profits and corporations often trade in the normal course of conducting business in different world markets.

Currency values can change for many reasons.

Sometimes they react to external political and economic news, such as Great Britain's proposed exit from the European Union. At other times, value changes are driven by trading in the market itself.

Often, both external and internal events drive currency value changes on the Forex. When, for example, the U. Dollar is strong, companies in the United States may increase their purchases of European products, which have become correspondingly less expensive.

To pay for these products, they exchange US Dollars for Euros. Currency trading is typically highly leveraged.

Moreover, the Forex is lightly regulated. Spot trades aren't regulated at all.

Both factors increase the risk of Forex trading. Almost all novice traders should begin trading on a practice trading platform that allows them to make hypothetical trades without risking their investment capital.

When and if they see positive results, they can begin trading on the Forex itself. Retail investors and banks are trading to make profits and corporations usually trade in the normal course of the international business process. Typically, traders who make only a few concentrated large trades are more apt to lose money.

On the other hand, traders who distribute their trading funds over many different trades diversify their risk and have a better chance of trading profitably. Similarly, traders who leverage their trades aggressively are more likely to have large losses than those who don't.

Forex Tutorial: What is Forex Trading?

Unsurprisingly, data compiled by the National Futures Association , a Forex self-regulatory institution similar the stock market's FINRA, shows that most retail Forex traders drop out after about four months. Making money trading on the Forex isn't impossible, but it's difficult.

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Updated August 17, At 50 to 1 even a two percent difference going against your trade results in a total loss of all invested funds. Get Daily Money Tips to Your Inbox Email Address Sign Up.

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