Forex
Terminology
There are many important terms that forex traders should know


Commonly Used Abbreviations & Acronyms
Term | Description |
---|---|
Foreign Exchange (FX) | The global market for trading currencies. Also used synonymously with "forex." |
Over-The-Counter (OTC) | Trades made directly between two parties, without a centralized exchange. |
Contract for Difference (CFD) | A financial derivative allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the asset. |
Expert Advisor (EA) | Automated trading system that executes trades based on programmed strategies. Typically used on MT4/MT5. |
Straight Through Processing (STP) | A broker model that sends client orders directly to liquidity providers without intervention. |
Electronic Communication Network (ECN) | A system that matches buy and sell orders from multiple market participants, providing direct market access and tighter spreads. |
First In, First Out (FIFO) | A rule (especially in U.S. trading) that requires closing the oldest open position first when multiple trades are open in the same currency pair. |
Return on Investment (ROI) | A percentage measure of profitability; ROI = (Net Profit / Investment) x 100 |
Take Profit (TP) | A preset price level where a trade automatically closes in profit. |
Commonly Used Abbreviations & Acronyms
Term + Description |
---|
Foreign Exchange (FX) The global market for trading currencies. Also used synonymously with "forex." |
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Trades made directly between two parties, without a centralized exchange. |
Contract for Difference (CFD) A financial derivative allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the asset. |
Expert Advisor (EA) Automated trading system that executes trades based on programmed strategies. Typically used on MT4/MT5. |
Straight Through Processing (STP) A broker model that sends client orders directly to liquidity providers without intervention. |
Electronic Communication Network (ECN) A system that matches buy and sell orders from multiple market participants, providing direct market access and tighter spreads. |
First In, First Out (FIFO) A rule (especially in U.S. trading) that requires closing the oldest open position first when multiple trades are open in the same currency pair. |
Return on Investment (ROI) A percentage measure of profitability; ROI = (Net Profit / Investment) x 100 |
Take Profit (TP) A preset price level where a trade automatically closes in profit. |
Strategy & Learning
Term | Description |
---|---|
Forex trading strategies | Planned methods used by traders to decide when to buy or sell currency pairs, often based on technical or fundamental analysis. |
Day trading vs. swing trading | Day trading: Short-term trades opened and closed within a single day. Swing trading: Positions held for several days to weeks to capture medium-term trends. |
Technical analysis vs. fundamental analysis | Technical: Uses charts and indicators to predict price movements. Fundamental: Analyzes economic indicators and news to assess value. |
Forex compound interest calculator | A tool to project account growth over time using compounding. Helps visualize how reinvesting profits can grow capital. |
Forex indicators | Tools like MACD, RSI, and Bollinger Bands used to analyze trends, momentum, and potential reversals. |
Support and resistance levels | Key price levels where currencies tend to reverse or stall. Used to set entries, exits, and stops. |
Risk management in forex | Includes strategies like stop-losses, position sizing, and risk-reward ratios to protect capital. |
How to read forex charts | Involves understanding candlesticks, timeframes, indicators, and trends to make informed trading decisions. |
Best time to trade forex | London and New York sessions are most active. Session overlaps often offer the best trading opportunities. |
Forex scalping strategy | A short-term strategy aiming to make quick, small profits from fast trades, often lasting seconds to minutes. |
Strategy & Learning
Term + Description |
---|
Forex trading strategies Planned methods used by traders to decide when to buy or sell currency pairs, often based on technical or fundamental analysis. |
Day trading vs. swing trading Day trading: Short-term trades opened and closed within a single day. Swing trading: Positions held for several days to weeks to capture medium-term trends. |
Technical analysis vs. fundamental analysis Technical: Uses charts and indicators to predict price movements. Fundamental: Analyzes economic indicators and news to assess value. |
Forex compound interest calculator A tool to project account growth over time using compounding. Helps visualize how reinvesting profits can grow capital. |
Forex indicators Tools like MACD, RSI, and Bollinger Bands used to analyze trends, momentum, and potential reversals. |
Support and resistance levels Key price levels where currencies tend to reverse or stall. Used to set entries, exits, and stops. |
Risk management in forex Includes strategies like stop-losses, position sizing, and risk-reward ratios to protect capital. |
How to read forex charts Involves understanding candlesticks, timeframes, indicators, and trends to make informed trading decisions. |
Best time to trade forex London and New York sessions are most active. Session overlaps often offer the best trading opportunities. |
Forex scalping strategy A short-term strategy aiming to make quick, small profits from fast trades, often lasting seconds to minutes. |
Tools & Platforms
Term | Description |
---|---|
Expert Advisor (EA) | Automated trading system that executes trades based on programmed strategies. Typically used on MT4/MT5. |
Economic calendar forex | Lists upcoming economic events that affect currencies. Useful for timing trades and understanding market sentiment. |
Forex signals / Best signal providers | Trade recommendations including entry/exit points. Can be manual or algorithm-based, free or paid. |
Forex robot / automated trading | Software that trades based on preset rules or AI algorithms. Runs 24/7 and helps remove emotional decision-making. |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) / cTrader | MT5: Multi-asset platform with support for EAs and backtesting. cTrader: Sleek UI with faster execution and advanced charting. |
TradingView forex charts | Cloud-based charting platform with powerful tools, indicators, and social features for traders. |
Tools & Platforms
Term + Description |
---|
Expert Advisor (EA) Automated trading system that executes trades based on programmed strategies. Typically used on MT4/MT5. |
Economic calendar forex Lists upcoming economic events that affect currencies. Useful for timing trades and understanding market sentiment. |
Forex signals / Best signal providers Trade recommendations including entry/exit points. Can be manual or algorithm-based, free or paid. |
Forex robot / automated trading Software that trades based on preset rules or AI algorithms. Runs 24/7 and helps remove emotional decision-making. |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) / cTrader MT5: Multi-asset platform with support for EAs and backtesting. cTrader: Sleek UI with faster execution and advanced charting. |
TradingView forex charts Cloud-based charting platform with powerful tools, indicators, and social features for traders. |