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.
Start trading today. Call +44 (20) 7633 5430, or email sales.en@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account. We’re here 24/5.
Contact us: +44 (20) 7633 5430
Start trading today. Call +44 (20) 7633 5430, or email sales.en@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account. We’re here 24/5.
Contact us: +44 (20) 7633 5430
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.
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
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
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Look ahead: Apple; ConocoPhilips; Shell; Bank of Japan minutes; US initial claims
2024-05-01T15:35:00+0100 -
Look ahead: Fed rate decision; Japan consumer confidence; eBay; Pfizer; Qualcomm
2024-04-30T16:02:57+0100
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.
Try these next
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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