Ebook indd

© 1st Forex Trading Academy 2004
52
Glossary
W
Whipsaw
- Slang for a condition of a highly volatile market where a sharp price movement is 
quickly followed by a sharp reversal.
Y
Yard
- Slang for a billion.

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© 1st Forex Trading Academy 2004
53
FAQ
FAQ
What is a Limit order?
A limit order is an order with restrictions on the maximum price to be paid or the minimum price 
to be received. As an example, if the current price of USD/YEN is 117.00/05, then a limit order 
to buy USD would be at a price below 102. (i.e. 116.50).
What is a Stop Loss order?
A stop loss order is an order type whereby an open position is automatically liquidated at a specific 
price. Often used to minimize exposure to losses if the market moves against an investor’s position. 
As an example, if an investor is long USD at 156.27, they might wish to put in a stop loss order for 
155.49, which would limit losses should the dollar depreciate, possibly below 155.49?
What is a Position order?
Position orders are directly related to individual positions. These orders are only active for as long 
as the position remains open and can be a stop loss or limit order.
What is Foreign Exchange?
The Foreign Exchange market, also referred to as the «Forex» market, is the largest financial market 
in the world, with a daily average turnover of approximately US$1.2 trillion. Foreign Exchange is 
the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. The world’s currencies are on a 
floating exchange rate and are always traded in pairs, for example Euro/Dollar or Dollar/Yen.
Where is the central location of the FX Market?
FX Trading is not centralized on an exchange, as with the stock and futures markets. The FX market 
is considered an Over the Counter (OTC) or ‘Interbank’ market, due to the fact that transactions 
are conducted between two counterparts over the telephone or via an electronic network.
Who are the participants in the FX Market?
The Forex market is called an ‘Interbank’ market due to the fact that historically it has been 
dominated by banks, including central banks, commercial banks, and investment banks. However, 
the percentage of other market participants is rapidly growing, and now includes large multinational 
corporations, global money managers, registered dealers, international money brokers, futures and 
options traders, and private speculators.
When is the FX market open for trading?
A true 24-hour market, Forex trading begins each day in Sydney, and moves around the globe as 
the business day begins in each financial center, first to Tokyo, then London, and New York. Unlike 
any other financial market, investors can respond to currency fluctuations caused by economic, 
social and political events at the time they occur - day or night.

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© 1st Forex Trading Academy 2004
54
FAQ
What are the most commonly traded currencies in the FX markets?
The most often traded or ‘liquid’ currencies are those of countries with stable governments, respected 
central banks, and low inflation. Today, over 85% of all daily transactions involve trading of the 
major currencies, which include the US Dollar (USD), Japanese Yen (JPY), Euro (EUR), British 
Pound (GBP), Swiss Franc (CHF), Canadian Dollar (CAD) and the Australian Dollar (AUD).
What is Margin?
Margin is essentially collateral for a position. It allows traders to take on leveraged positions with a 
fraction of the equity necessary to fund the trade. In the equity markets, the usual margin allowed 
is 50% which means an investor has double the buying power. In the Forex market leverage ranges 
from 1% to 2%, giving investors the high leverage needed to trade actively.
What does it mean have a ‘long’ or ‘short’ position?
In trading parlance, a long position is one in which a trader buys a currency at one price and aims 
to sell it later at a higher price. In this scenario, the investor benefits from a rising market. A short 
position is one in which the trader sells a currency in anticipation that it will depreciate. In this 
scenario, the investor benefits from a declining market. However, it is important to remember that 
every FX position requires an investor to go long in one currency and short the other.
How are currency prices determined?
Currency prices are affected by a variety of economic and political conditions, most importantly 
interest rates, inflation and political stability. Moreover, governments sometimes participate in the 
Forex market to influence the value of their currencies, either by flooding the market with their 
domestic currency in an attempt to lower the price, or conversely buying in order to raise the price. 
This is known as Central Bank intervention. Any of these factors, as well as large market orders, can 
cause high volatility in currency prices. However, the size and volume of the Forex market makes it 
impossible for any one entity to «drive» the market for any length of time.
How do I manage risk?
The most common risk management tools in FX trading are the limit order and the stop loss order. A 
limit order places restriction on the maximum price to be paid or the minimum price to be received. 
A stop loss order ensures a particular position is automatically liquidated at a predetermined price 
in order to limit potential losses should the market move against an investor’s position. The liquidity 
of the Forex market ensures that limit order and stop loss orders can be easily executed.

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