Forex trading: everything you need to know

Discover how to get started in the world of forex trading. Let’s look at how FX markets work, the currency pairs you can trade, and the strategies you can use.

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Forex essentials

Forex is one of the most traded markets in the world, made popular by periods of high liquidity, and its inherently deep liquidity. While FX tends to be preferred by experienced traders, we’ve compiled this information specifically for beginners.

Learn how to trade forex

Forex trading for beginners

Learn more about the basics of forex trading using our complete guide for beginners, which includes details on how to get started.

Trading on currencies

Use our step-by-step guide to get a firm grasp on how forex markets work, what the risks are, and how you can open your first position.

Forex day trading strategies

Discover a list of forex day trading strategies, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the best timeframes to use them in.

How to read forex charts

Find out how to read into the behaviour of the forex market by monitoring the price charts of the currency pairs you want to trade

Ways to trade forex with us

With us, you can trade forex pairs with a CFD trading account.

CFD trading

Trade rising or falling forex markets with CFDs – and offset your profits against losses for tax purposes.¹

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Live forex prices for traders

Take your pick from over 80 currency pairs and predict their price movements on our state-of-the-art platform. We offer a wide range of major, minor and exotic currency pairs for you to trade. You can take a position anytime, thanks to our out-of-hours offering.

Forex trading strategies and styles you need to know

Trading strategies

Explore a wide range of trading strategies and styles you can use to predict how the forex market will move in the future.

Scalping trading strategies

Open and close your forex positions in a short space of time, taking advantage of short-term volatility.

Swing trading strategies

Pinpoint swing highs and lows to establish at which price levels you’ll enter and exit the market.

Latest financial news

EUR/GBP bounces off support while EUR/JPY, USD/JPY rallies pause

Axel Rudolph, 2024-12-20T07:42:08+0000
Why is the Fed's hawkish cut unsettling AUD/USD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/JPY?

Axel Rudolph, 2024-12-19T10:37:38+0000
Brent crude oil, silver and wheat prices lower amid strong US dollar

Axel Rudolph, 2024-12-19T09:03:03+0000
AUD/USD, EUR/USD and GBP/USD drop after hawkish Fed cut

Axel Rudolph, 2024-12-19T07:43:13+0000

Free forex trading resources for traders

Visit IG Academy to discover our exhaustive education content tailored for beginner and seasoned traders. Learn at your own pace using online courses, live sessions and more
Explore several strategies related to forex trading, and establish whether you have a long or short-term outlook on the market
Create a free demo account to practise trading on different forex pairs. Execute your preferred strategies in a risk-free environment before opening a live account

FAQs

What does forex mean?

Forex is an abbreviation for foreign exchange, which represents the marketplace where currencies from around the world are bought and sold. FX is another term used to refer to forex. When one currency is pegged against another, this is called a forex pair – eg GBP/USD.

Is forex trading risky?

Yes, forex trading is risky because it’s a highly traded market, which means it has equally high liquidity and volatility. You should always take steps to manage your risk, especially when trading on leverage, as your losses can exceed your initial outlay.

Is forex trading good for beginners?

Forex trading requires an intermediate to advanced understanding of how the market works, which tends to put beginners at a disadvantage. That’s why beginners should brush up on their knowledge on the forex market and can use our educational resource hub and our demo account to practice trading. Once they’re confident in their trading skills, they can choose to open a live account.

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Read about the advantages of trading FX markets and why it’s so popular

Discover how to trade a variety of asset classes using this derivative product

Dive into what forex is, and how to trade the FX market on our platform

¹ Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.

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^IG International Limited is part of the IG Group and its ultimate parent company is IG Group Holdings Plc. IG Group established in London in 1974, and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.

The risks of loss from investing in CFDs can be substantial and the value of your investments may fluctuate. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how this product works, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

CFD Accounts provided by IG International Limited. IG International Limited is licensed to conduct investment business and digital asset business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

IG provides an execution-only service. The information in this site does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) investment advice or an investment recommendation, or an offer of or solicitation for transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result.

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

IG International Limited is part of the IG Group and its ultimate parent company is IG Group Holdings Plc. IG International Limited receives services from other members of the IG Group including IG Markets Limited.

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