Forex risk management strategies
Learn about the basic strategies for controlling risks while trading Forex
The
Forex market behaves differently from other markets! The speed,
volatility, and enormous size of the Forex market are unlike anything
else in the financial world. Beware: the Forex market is uncontrollable
- no single event, individual, or factor rules it. Enjoy trading in the
perfect market! Just like any other speculative business, increased
risk entails chances for a higher profit/loss.
Currency markets are highly speculative and volatile in nature. Any currency can become
very expensive or very cheap in relation to any or all other currencies
in a matter of days, hours, or sometimes, in minutes. This
unpredictable nature of the currencies is what attracts an investor to
trade and invest in the currency market.
But ask
yourself, "How much am I ready to lose?" When you terminated, closed or
exited your position, had you had understood the risks and taken steps
to avoid them? Let's look at some foreign exchange risk management
issues that may come up in your day-to-day foreign exchange
transactions.
- Unexpected corrections in currency exchange rates
- Wild variations in foreign exchange rates
- Volatile markets offering profit opportunities
- Lost payments
- Delayed confirmation of payments and receivables
- Divergence between bank drafts received and the contract price
There are areas that every trader should cover both BEFORE and DURING a trade.
Exit the Forex market at profit targets
Limit
orders, also known as profit take orders, allow Forex traders to exit
the Forex market at pre-determined profit targets. If you are short
(sold) a currency pair, the system will only allow you to place a limit
order below the current market price because this is the profit zone.
Similarly, if you are long (bought) the currency pair, the system will
only allow you to place a limit order above the current market price.
Limit orders help create a disciplined trading methodology and make it
possible for traders to walk away from the computer without
continuously monitoring the market.
Control risk by capping losses
Stop/loss
orders allow traders to set an exit point for a losing trade. If you
are short a currency pair, the stop/loss order should be placed above
the current market price. If you are long the currency pair, the
stop/loss order should be placed below the current market price.
Stop/loss orders help traders control risk by capping losses. Stop/loss
orders are counter-intuitive because you do not want them to be hit;
however, you will be happy that you placed them! When logic dictates,
you can control greed.
Where should I place my stop and limit orders?
As
a general rule of thumb, traders should set stop/loss orders closer to
the opening price than limit orders. If this rule is followed, a trader
needs to be right less than 50% of the time to be profitable. For
example, a trader that uses a 30 pip stop/loss and 100-pip limit
orders, needs only to be right 1/3 of the time to make a profit. Where
the trader places the stop and limit will depend on how risk-adverse he
is. Stop/loss orders should not be so tight that normal market
volatility triggers the order. Similarly, limit orders should reflect a
realistic expectation of gains based on the market's trading activity
and the length of time one wants to hold the position. In initially
setting up and establishing the trade, the trader should look to change
the stop loss and set it at a rate in the 'middle ground' where they
are not overexposed to the trade, and at the same time, not too close
to the market.
Trading foreign currencies is a
demanding and potentially profitable opportunity for trained and
experienced investors. However, before deciding to participate in the
Forex market, you should soberly reflect on the desired result of your
investment and your level of experience. Warning! Do not invest money
you cannot afford to lose.
So, there is
significant risk in any foreign exchange deal. Any transaction
involving currencies involves risks including, but not limited to, the
potential for changing political and/or economic conditions, that may
substantially affect the price or liquidity of a currency.
Moreover,
the leveraged nature of FX trading means that any market movement will
have an equally proportional effect on your deposited funds. This may
work against you as well as for you. The possibility exists that you
could sustain a total loss of your initial margin funds and be required
to deposit additional funds to maintain your position. If you fail to
meet any margin call within the time prescribed, your position will be
liquidated and you will be responsible for any resulting losses.
'Stop-loss' or 'limit' order strategies may lower an investor's
exposure to risk.
Easy-Forex foreign exchange
technology links around-the-clock to the world's foreign currency
exchange trading floors to get the lowest foreign currency rates and to
take every opportunity to make or settle a transaction.
Avoiding/lowering risk when trading Forex:
Trade
like a technical analyst. Understanding the fundamentals behind an
investment also requires understanding the technical analysis method.
When your fundamental and technical signals point to the same
direction, you have a good chance to have a successful trade,
especially with good money management skills. Use simple support and
resistance technical analysis, Fibonacci Retracement and reversal days.
Be disciplined. Create a position and understand your reasons for
having that position, and establish stop loss and profit taking levels.
Discipline includes hitting your stops and not following the temptation
to stay with a losing position that has gone through your stop/loss
level. When you buy, buy high. When you sell, sell higher. Similarly,
when you sell, sell low. When you buy, buy lower. Rule of thumb: In a
bull market, be long or neutral - in a bear market, be short or
neutral. If you forget this rule and trade against the trend, you will
usually cause yourself to suffer psychological worries, and frequently,
losses. And never add to a losing position. On Easy-Forex the trader
can change their trade orders as many times as they wish free of
charge, either as a stop loss or as a take profit. The trader can also
close the trade manually without a stop loss or profit take order being
hit. Many successful traders set their stop loss price beyond the rate
at which they made the trade so that the worst that can happen is that
they get stopped out and make a profit. |