Seven Helpful Hints to Follow when Choosing your Forex Broker

When getting started in trading on the forex market, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is which broker to use. There are a myriad of institutions out there that facilitate currency trading for the individual investor, and choosing the right one can mean the difference between success and failure as a forex trader. Because the stakes are high, this is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and it is crucial that you research all available information before taking that first step and signing up.

One thing to look for in a forex brokerage is the availability of a demo account, which is a valuable tool for the trader who is just starting out. This type of account does not use real money; the account holder is issued a pretend balance to play around with for a limited period of time, usually thirty days. You can use this time to try different things, and to get a feel for the pace of the forex market and how everything works. These accounts usually come with all of the research tools available to real account holders, so this is also a good way to evaluate the broker's system as a whole.

Most brokerages make a variety of research tools available, but the quantity and quality of these devices vary between different institutions. You should look for a brokerage that at a minimum offers real-time quotes, multiple charting options, live news feeds, and research reports written by professionals. More information means a greater advantage over the competition, so it is important to choose a company that provides enough research tools for you to have the ability to make informed decisions while trading.

You should also check out the software the brokerage makes available to its account holders, particularly if you lack experience using computers. Some programs are easier to use than others, and user-friendliness is a significant quality to look for when evaluating this software. If the program is confusing or difficult to use, you will not have a very good trading experience, and this can translate to lost money. It is important to find a brokerage that provides software you can be comfortable with.

Another vital factor involved in picking a forex broker is the spread. In forex trading, a spread is the difference between the price to buy a currency and the price to sell it at any given moment. The brokerage makes money on this difference, and when one refers to a "tight spread" he is talking about two prices that are close together. This means that less money goes to the brokerage out of your trade, so choosing a brokerage that offers tight spreads is a good idea to maximize your trading success.

The availability of leverage options is something that many forex traders look for in a brokerage. When an investor uses leverage, he borrows money from the broker to trade with, keeping any profits that are made before paying the money back. Most brokerages offer the ability to trade with an amount of money that is much higher than the amount of cash in the account, sometimes reaching up to 400 times this amount. The reason forex brokerages can offer this high level of margin is that the amount that a currency pair will change in price in a day is usually very small, so the risk is much less than with equities.

Beginning forex investors should also check out how long the institution has been in business. By researching the background of the company, you can get an idea as to the legitimacy of the brokerage to see if your money will be safe in their hands. Brokers that have just sprung up overnight are usually not the best places to begin trading, so look for one that has been around for a while. Another good quality to look for is an association with a major bank or other financial institution.

Finally, you should always choose a forex broker that is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This independent agency of the U.S. government provides oversight of the various brokerages in the United States, and helps protect investors from fraud that unfortunately is becoming more commonplace in today's society. By making sure the brokerage is registered with this agency, you can take the guesswork out of determining the legitimacy of the institution.

There is a wide range of forex brokerages out there, and it can be difficult to determine which one is the best. But by doing some research into the different options, you can do a lot to not only protect yourself from fraud, but to maximize your success in trading currencies.