Forex Trading Strategies

What is a trading strategy?

A good strategy tells you when to execute your trades based on your established, tried and tested method. There are numerous forex strategies that you can use, including fundamental analysis and technical analysis.

By trading objectively following your chosen trading strategy and with sound risk management techniques, you can trade confidently over the long-term.

How does a forex trading strategy work?

Fixed rules which determine entry and exit points can help you take the emotion completely out of trading. This is key to potentially making more consistent gains and becoming a more profitable trader.

The most important key components to a successful FX trading strategy are:

• Selecting the market – which currency pairs are you going to trade, what hours of the day are these most active, and do you understand the interaction between the two currencies.
• Entry point – you must determine consistent rules which determine when you go long or short in the currency pair.
• Exit point – you should ensure you have rules to exit a long or short trade, either by taking profit or exiting for a loss at a pre-determined price.
• Tactics – rules to buy and sell currency pairs need to be established, determined by all market conditions and using either manual or automated tools to generate your trading signals.

Benefits of using an FX trading strategy

• Strong, effective trading

A robust plan for all market conditions allows you to be consistent in monitoring and improving your results going forward.

• Controls your emotions

You are confident and comfortable with your rules and do not overreact to sudden market moves.

• Understanding of risk

A fixed strategy means you manage your risk effectively on every trade, using a stop loss. You respect certainty over risky trading behaviour.

Opening a demo account allows you to practice your strategies in real market conditions. You do not risk your own money and it’s a great way to apply your strategy to real world price action. Learn more about FXTM demo accounts here.

Four types of forex trading strategies

1. Day Trading

This short-term strategy means you don’t hold any position overnight – you enter and exit all orders within the trading day. This normally means you trade a large number of positions for small profits.

1. Scalping

This type of day trading is more intense and involves even shorter timeframes, where you hold a trade for a few seconds or minutes at most. You exit your position as the market moves in your favour.

1. Position Trading

Position trading is a longer-term trading strategy, usually involving fundamental analysis to forecast trade ideas. Short-term market fluctuations are less important, and you will probably have only a small number of trades open, but with a higher value.

1. Swing Trading

This strategy involves technical analysis to take advantage of short to medium-term market movements. Like both day and position trading, you look to identify intermediate trends in the market.

A trading strategy often reflects the personality of a trader. So, it is important to try and find a style and strategy that suits you.

You can test out your strategies by simulating forex trading – both manual and automated – on our demo account.

Take your forex trading to the next level. Discover more about forex trading strategies at https://www.forextime.com/education/forex-trading-strategies.

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Disclaimer: This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. FXTM, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.”