Nonetheless, many average investors do try their hand at forex trading, and there are many financials institutions who handle such transactions. It’s known as “retail forex,” and it’s handled much the same way that day trading of stocks is handled. The downside is that unlike the stock market, the forex market is not particularly well regulated, and people inexperienced with it can be taken advantage of. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) gives several bits of advice for amateur forex traders. Among the CFTC’s tips:
- Avoid companies that predict or guarantee large profits, or that promise little or no financial risk. There is ALWAYS a financial risk in forex trading, and no one can guarantee profits when it comes to speculative endeavors.
- If someone won’t give you his background, don’t deal with him. Likewise, always check out a company’s track record before doing any trading with them.
- The Internet is a haven for shady types. Be wary of anyone wanting you to send cash.
- Above all, remember that if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
There are plenty of honest and reliable forex trading firms out there, including ones that operate online. But even if the trading company is legitimate, there are still risks inherent in trading. Because currency rates can fluctuate for such a variety of reasons, it’s difficult to predict what investments to make. Even seasoned professionals get blindsided sometimes.
In short, forex trading can be lucrative, but only if you know what you’re doing. Before embarking on any investing, study the details of how the market works, what causes fluctuations, how to interpret financial indicators, and all the other ins and outs of the market. Forex trading isn’t something to be entered into lightly. There is much potential for profit, but there is even greater potential for loss, both at the hands of unscrupulous trading firms, and of your own inexperience.
