
If you are new to Forex, no doubt you are confused by all of the strange and unfamiliar terminology. For example, what is a pip? Also, you are probably already aware that Forex trading can be risky. How can you limit your loss and best protect your funds? This article briefly covers how currency lots are traded to help you better understand how to plan your trading strategy and manage your funds.
In Foreign Currency Exchange (FOREX), earnings are expressed in "pips". Pip is short for Price Interest Point, also called points. Whereas the smallest denomination in USD is the penny ($.01), in Currency Exchange, funds can be traded in an even smaller denomination, $0.0001. This means that very small movements in currency prices can create large profits.
So, a PIP is the smallest unit a currency can be traded in. The actual value of a pip is not a set price. If you are trading with a standard account, a pip is worth $10. If you are trading a mini account, a pip is only worth $1.
The value of a pip changes based upon the size of your account, because the size of your account affects how much currency you can leverage. A standard full size trading account is 100,000 units of the base currency. If you are trading in USD, a standard account has a value of $100,000 USD.
A mini lot is 10,000 units of base currency. If you are trading mini lots, you can leverage $10,000. This is why a pip in a mini account is worth
less than a pip in a standard full sized account.
While Forex trading allows you to leverage more funds than you actually have, this can be a double edged sword. While you can make profits on funds that you leverage (rather than own), you can also have losses amplified as well. There are several ways, however, to manage your risk when trading Forex. If you are interested in trading Forex, you should have a definite trading strategy. You must educate yourself to know when to enter and exit the market and what kind of movements to anticipate.
You can also place something known as a stop loss order. Stop-loss orders the typical way traders minimize risk when placing an entry order. A stop-loss order to exit your position if the currency price reaches a certain point.
If you are taking a long position, you would place the stop loss order below current market price. For a short position, you would place a stop loss order above current market price. This technique allows you to manage your risk and, just as the name suggests, stop your losses at a certain point.
As you can see, Forex trading can be complex, but once you understand the basic fundamental principals of how lots are traded, its starts to come together for you. Foreign Currency Trading can be quite profitable and and exciting way to invest.
For more FREE Forex Training Articles, visit: Forex

![]() BBC News | FOREX-Dollar rallies broadly, euro down as inflation weighs Reuters - ... Boris Schlossberg, director of currency research at GFT Forex in New York. "On the other hand, the Obama stimulus package has also helped the dollar. ... Mid−Day Forex Technical Report − Dollar Firm after Mixed Data Dollar soars against euro Dollar rockets higher vs euro, yen on Obama fiscal stimulus plan |
FOREX-Dollar boosted by Obama stimulus, ECB rate cut view Reuters - By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The dollar rose on Monday, boosted by increased expectations of interest rate cuts by major central ... |
Dollar trims gains vs euro, yen after weak US data Reuters - This is just more bad news for what is already expected to be a disastrous Q4 GDP number," said an analyst at Forex.com in Bedminster, New Jersey. ... |
FOREX-Dollar hits 3-week high vs yen as stocks gain Reuters - By Naomi Tajitsu LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The dollar climbed broadly on Monday, hitting its highest level in three weeks against the yen as rising share ... |
Forex Market Update: Dollar Extend Gains Against Euro and Pound Daily FX, NY - Oil prices saw slight profit taking but Nymex crude futures still remained above $48. Gold prices continued to fall due to the weak dollar however, ... Market Overview by Forex Yard TheLFB 2009 Forex Update New Year and New hope in Markets |
Conmed cuts Q4 view on forex changes, sales volume drop Reuters - The company, which also cut its 2009 outlook, said the weakening of the US dollar had a positive effect on its operations in the first three quarters. ... |
![]() Best Syndication | Forex Trading Signals Well-Positioned for Gains in the New Year Daily FX, NY - ... in US dollar pairs will likely generated further gains in standing Momentum and Breakout trades, and elevated implied volatility levels on forex options ... A Basic Understanding of the Forex Markets Forex – Canadian Dollar Equals US Dollar A Few Things You Need To Know About Forex Trading |
FOREX:Ringgit Ends Easier Against Dollar Bernama, Malaysia - KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 -- The ringgit closed easier today against the US dollar as the greenback rallied on positive developments including a stimulus package ... FOREX: Ringgit Opens Lower Against Dollar FOREX: Ringgit Ends Easier Against Dollar |
![]() eYugoslavia.com | Risk conditions weaken yen Forex Hound, NY - (If you cannot read the capcha, refresh the page) The comment will be reviewed by the Forex Hound Team before it is posted. Trading foreign exchange on the ... Dollar holds firm near 3-week high vs. yen |
![]() TopNews | Taiwan dollar at 2-1/2-wk low, exporters support Reuters India, India - Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc exchange was moderate at $954 million, lower than the $1.136 billion recorded on Monday. "Everyone suspects the central ... NT dollar drops on news that exports may slump further Taiwan dlr at 2-1/2-wk low on US stimulus, cbank |