One of the world's largest and most unique financial markets, Forex, also known as FX or the foreign exchange market, is a massive financial market that operates globally and trades an estimated USD 3.5 trillion every 24-hour weekday. Forex traders scrutinise the market and make trades based on fluctuations in exchange rates and movements in the value of foreign currencies. Though this market is generally accessible to a wide range of individuals, it is easy for Forex beginners to make mistakes. To avoid falling into the same trap of other Forex novices, it can help to know the common mistakes to look out for.
Firstly, it's important not to overextend your funds. One of the first mistakes that many Forex beginners make is to overextend their funds by trading too frequently. Many first-time Forex traders seek lucrative deals that simply do not exist because they want so badly to benefit from the market. This phenomenon, known as "over trading," occurs when you are overeager and lack the patience to wait for a worthwhile trading opportunity.
Another mistake that beginners to the Forex market can make is to over rely on tools that indicate movements in the market. Though such indicators can be very useful to Forex traders, they can be misleading when they are the sole basis on which a trade is made. Rather than concentrating solely on tools, beginners may benefit from remembering what those tools represent. In addition to using tools, it can be useful to learn how to read a price chart and interpret price movement.
In addition, it's important not to let your emotions get the best of you. Beginners can easily fall into the trap of emotional, gambling-style trading. It is important to remember that benefiting from the Forex market, particularly in the long-term, requires informed analysis. Beginners who rely solely on luck and adrenaline to make successful trades will usually find themselves disappointed with the results.
Finally, don't risk more than you can afford! Many beginners enter into Forex trading without a clear trading plan. Having a trading plan forces you to decide how much you are willing to invest based on potential gains and potential losses. It is often the mistaken belief that the higher the risks the larger the rewards; but that is not the case. It is advised that traders monitor their trading by never risking higher than 1 per cent of their funds. Sticking to the trading rule and having a trading plan can help you benefit from Forex trading in the long-run and avoid foolish losses.
Thus, before entering into the Forex market, it’s a good idea to look out for the common beginners' mistakes. It can also help to approach this type of trading cautiously at first until you have a better feel for the unique Forex market.
The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Saxo Bank. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.