Candlestick Charts For Currency Traders

By Tom OReilly

Among the many types of technical analysis available to forex traders, the single most useful and popular are probably candlestick charts. These were originally developed in Japan during the 18th century by a prominent commodity trader who used them to chart the fluctuations in the price of rice. For this reason they are often known as Japanese candlestick charts, and many of the patterns that they form have Japanese names.

Simple line graphs plotting the price of a commodity at regular intervals in time had been used for centuries, but traders were in need of something that could plot more variables within a two dimensional graph. The bar chart showing the opening, high, low and closing prices of a commodity was useful and helped traders to predict future price movements in a more reliable way than line charts, but candlestick charts were even better.

Charles Dow introduced them to the American stock market at the beginning of the 20th. century and from there to the worldwide financial markets. Co-founder of the Dow Jones company, Dow was the founder of the Wall Street Journal.

Candlestick Formation

The chart is made up of a series of 'candlesticks' which typically have a chunky body with vertical lines stretching up from the top (the upper shadow or wick) and bottom (the lower shadow or wick). The different points measure the differential in prices over a certain period of time, which might be 5 minutes, 15 minutes or longer.

The top and bottom of the body are the opening and closing prices. The top of the wick is the highest point reached during the time period and the lowest point of the lower wick is the low. The bottom of the body marks the opening price and its top marks the close. If the price fell during the period the prices are the other way around and to show this at a glance the body will be black (or red if colored). If price rose during the period the body will be white (or green or blue if colored).

Using Candlesticks in Charts In Currency Trading

A forex trader can base a system for determining when a trend is developing on the many patterns that develop on the charts showing 5 or 15 minute candles over a period of several hours. For example, when the candle body is green or white and higher than the preceding candles, it indicates that buyers are very bullish. When it is red or black and lower than the preceding candles, it indicates that buyers are very bearish.

In the fast moving forex markets where trading decisions often need to be made in a split second, being able to see these implications at a glance is vital. So for any forex trader, candlestick charts are one of the most useful visual aids. - 23200

About the Author:

Get free tutorials, help and adviceonDay Trading The Currency Marketcome to http://daytradingthecurrencymarket.com

Mastering The Currency Trading

By Fred Todle

There are some misconceptions regarding the forex trading system. Some people equate the trading of foreign currency with the stock market. While it is true that some similarities exist, there are major differences between the two. Basically, forex is the trading currencies. It is essentially the exchanging one currency for another.

In the forex trading business, one currency is purchased with the hope that it will go up in value in comparison the one we are selling. Forex trading can only entail buying one currency while selling another..

In layman's terms, a hypothetical trade involving dollars and Euros would go somewhat like this; the exchange rate of the euro to the dollar is roughly $1.25. This means that there is $1.25 for every euro. When you buy euros, yoy are hoping that the euro will increase in comparison to the dollar. Then when you sell the euros, you get more dollars and that is your profit. Again, this is a simplistic approach but it highlights the motions that are involved in forex trading.

In the past decade, forex used to be the sole domain of large banks, financial institutions and corporations dealing in international goods and service. Many import/export firms also doubled as forex trading entities. The volume of foreign currency traded daily is staggering. It ranges in the tune of $7 trillion dollars. This means that forex is a very lucrative enterprise indeed.

A new trend has emerged. Ordinary people like you and me and now trading in forex which was not quite possible before. This is because one can actually enter the forex market with very little funds. One can start trading with as little as $50.00.

A great facilitator of forex trading is software. There is now specialized software that automates the forex trading process. In the past, one of the main hindrances to trading was the lack of knowledge and skill. This means that only experienced dealers such as banks were positioned to trade. Ordinary people were essentially locked out. But come the advent of special software that places trades and also tutors the user, more and more ordinary traders have entered the fray. It is now possible, with little or no experience in trading, to engage in very profitable trades by the click of a button.

The forex business has gained a lot of popularity. This is because more and more people are looking for additional ways to supplement their daily income. The circumstances surrounding this hinge on a shaky world economy and an uncertain job market. More and more companies are looking to downside while others announce "restructuring" which is another term for mass layoffs. Because of the absence of job security, people are looking for extra income outside their jobs. One of these sources is in forex trading.

Forex trading can be done even while keeping your current job. This because it has a low learning curve and there are many tutorials and courses online. There is also software available to assist in automatic the whole process. - 23200

About the Author:

Author is writer and regular contributor to Forex Trading Strategies, a website with resources and information about forex market. One of the most popular FX trading post there is Free Forex Strategies.

Jazz Up Your Investment Portfolio With Gold.

By Kirk Richardson

One of the best ways to shake up your investment portfolio for your small business is to buy gold. Gold is one of those commodities that will continue to rise in price over the years. There is less risk, there is more security, and, when you buy gold, there is an added sense of diversity that all small business portfolios need.

First of all, when you buy gold, you are protecting your small business against stock market crashes or inflation. Your gold acts as your security in times of need. After all, there is always a monetary value with gold and, if times get really tough, you can always use gold bullion as emergency money.

One of the best examples of this is right after World War II when inflation was at an all time high. During that time, gold also peaked at a 130% return. This is only one of the many examples.

Furthermore, with the recent financial crisis, tax cuts and the increase in oil prices, history will most likely repeat itself in the near future. What this means is now is the time to buy gold bullion or invest in gold futures for your small business.

- Gold will also diversify your portfolio. Just be careful to buy, trade and sell gold that is not closely connected to your stock exchange companies. After all, if they are connected and one falls, then both will most likely fall.

The fact that gold is a lot less riskier and a lot easier to predict than stock commodities are only two of the reasons why many small business investors are opting to add gold to their investment portfolio.

Gold and oil have been on the same path in regards to price value for many years. In fact, you can get a good indication of the value of gold simply by watching the oil prices. When oil is up, then so is gold.

Gold is also quite easy to predict based on oil prices. History has suggested that when oil prices are up, gold is close to follow. You can buy gold; sell gold and trade gold based on the changing oil rates. This is a great indication of what the price of gold will be and when you should buy gold. However, its also important to remember that, like real estate, the price of gold will constantly be on the rise in the long term. - 23200

About the Author:

As a small business investor choosing to buy gold, or trade gold is choosing to secure your companys financial situation for many years to come.

Specialize In Trading US Dollar (Part I)

By Ahmad Hassam

You are a currency trader. Which currency pairs are the best for trading? Focus on the four major currency pairs EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CHF and USD/JPY. Consider becoming a specialist in USD. Yes, its true! You should become a specialist in trading the greenback.

Each currency pair actually is a combination of two currencies. So if you are short in GBP/USD then you are in fact selling the GBP and buying the USD. In each of the four major currency pairs, USD is part of each currency pair.

This means that if you study and understand the fundamentals of US Dollar, the US economy and the workings of the Federal Reserve System, then you have done your homework needed to trade any one of the four major currency pairs.

These four major currency pairs are the most liquid pairs and involve the vast majority of the trading in the currency markets. You should think like this, majors are the most heavily traded pairs and US Dollar is half of each major pair. If I can understand what drives the USD, it will have a huge impact on my trading profits.

Think whether USD will weaken or strengthen in the near and medium term. The only thing you need to determine is your bias for US Dollar before trading a major. Develop a system that guides you in forming an educated bias and then apply that bias to the major currency pairs.

Just to remind you when you buy a currency pair, you are buying the first currency in the pair and selling the second currency. Suppose your form a bias that US Dollar is going to become stronger. With this bias, you can go long either on USD/CHF or USD/JPY. Similarly, you can go short either on GBP/USD or EUR/USD.

With one bias, you have the potential of entering into four possible trades. However, each currency pair will react differently to US Dollar strengthening or weakening. Suppose Euro is also strengthening. Both Euro and US Dollar are strengthening at the same time. The currency pair EUR/USD will move less. USD/JPY will move more if JPY is weakening and USD is strengthening.

Lets say you can only afford to place one mini lot trade. You have a bearish bias for USD. What pair you should trade? You can consider going long on either GBP/USD or EUR/USD. But which one!

Take a look at both GBP and the Euro. Try to find which of the two currencies is stronger right now. Trade the stronger currency. Take a look at the cross EUR/GBP. If it is down, it means EUR is weakening and GBP is strengthening. Trade GBP/USD!

Always include an evaluation of the currency correlations for the major pairs in every trading plan that you make. The correlations between the currency pairs can change any time. So you need to calculate the correlations on weekly basis at least to give you a fair idea. Correlation is determined by what is known as the correlation coefficient which always ranges between +1 and -1. - 23200

About the Author:

Mr. Ahmad Hassam is a Harvard University Graduate. He is interested in day trading and swing trading stocks and currencies. Discover A Revolutionary New Forex Robot. Develop your own Forex Trading System.

Want A Safe And Easy Investment For Guaranteed Success? Try Gold Trading.

By Klaus Bazel

Since the beginning of time, the word "gold" has meant money and wealth. Making the decision to buy gold may be the best decision you've ever made. Most people that sell gold are doing it at times when gold is at its highest value, ensuring a nice healthy profit. You can sell or trade gold 24/7.

Many small businesses are learning about how to buy gold and sell gold and also to follow the prices; much like one would follow the stock market. Unlike the stock market, the value of gold bullion is not dependent on the success of other individuals or institutions. Learn how your small business can gain success and wealth by buying, selling or trading gold.

This seems to make a lot of sense, doesnt it? Well, this makes so much sense because gold has been around for quite a while. This is a good reason why it is better than other methods of investment. Here are some factors to consider:

- Gold will never rust or tarnish.

- Gold holds its value. It's one of the most reliable sources.

- Gold is not heavy and cumbersome like some valuable items (paintings, statues & other collectibles.

- Gold can be sold at any time and any place.

- Gold is lightweight compared to other valuable items, such as statues, paintings, and collectibles. Selling gold is quite easy.

You, like many others, may have the misconception that you cant afford gold. However, now is the best time to invest. Small gold bullion or small gold nuggets can be acquired at affordable prices. There are many companies that deal in gold and will sell it in small sizes to make it more affordable for the average person.

This makes sense because golds value has increased 130% since 2002. This is why you should have your small business buy gold and benefit from it. Because small business owners may have a difficult time keeping a business going, the decision to buy gold or trade gold can help make that business wealthier.

Deciding to buy gold is recommended by many analysts that feel it's a much safer investment than anything else and can act as a safety net against the weakening U.S. currency and inflation in general.

Even analysts are recommending that businesses buy gold due to the safety of the investment and the safety net that it provides against inflation and the weakening dollar.

And although investing seems similar to gambling in todays economy, the business that buys gold is obtaining a hedge against economic downfalls in the future, such as a stock market decline.

Small business owners are realizing the ability to buy gold and sell gold within their business to make it wealthier. This is a great way to create a retirement fund or another fund that cant lose. - 23200

About the Author:

Small business owners are growing wealthier because of the ability to buy gold and sell gold. The business adds assets and builds equity, as well as creates a nest egg for retirement.