When dealing with a Forex broker, you are introduced to a whole new trading jargon. Therefore, it seemed fitting to present to you a variety of Forex broker terms that you will need to know.
No Dealing Desk (NDD) Broker-This is a broker who does not have his own dealing desk. He instead outsources persons who would interact with the clients, providing them with price and liquidity information. These liquidity providers are the ones responsible for sending in all bids to the trading platform. The best bid is then presented to the client.
Forex ECN Broker-ECN stands for Electronics Communication Network. Therefore, an ECN broker is an Electronics Communication Network broker. All the trades are done in the name of this professional without the use of a dealing desk but rather via the use of a marketplace. This marketplace is flooded with market makers, banks, and traders who are making offers. This is a form of anonymous trading.
Market Maker-This is an individual that provides pricing and liquidity for currency pairs. This professional would then stand by waiting for the chance to buy or sell a currency at a specific price. A variety of strategies are used in order to provide traders with opportunities to make the most profit.
Agency-A professional establishment that provides intermediary services to both buyers and sellers is known as this. This outfit employs agents who make commissions off any gains made. Sometimes a small commission is charged regardless of how the financial transaction turns out.
STP-This is the acronym for Straight Through Processing. It is simply a term to indicate that an entire trading transaction is fully automated. There may be a person overseeing the automated transaction system. However, there is no intermediary taking care of your trade you just made. It is all done using web-based or downloadable software.
Margin-This is the amount of equity contributed by a trader. It is a percentage of the current market value of securities which are held in a special account.
PIP-This is the smallest unit of money that is used to accurately calculate Forex rates. This is a more precise determination of how much profit has been made or how much profit could be made.
Spread-Difference between the bid and ask price is referred to as this. This is another calculation of gain or loss as a transaction is made. It also is part of what is used to create statistical graphs and charts for a Forex broker to use as a guide.
Leverage-Market participants use this method of increasing potential gain of a Forex transaction made. It involves the use of various financial instruments (foreign currency in this case) or borrowed capital (usually money).
Lot-A pack of trading units that are sent to the market are often referred to as this. There are three different types-the micro (1,000 units), mini (10,000 units), and regular (100,000 units). This is done to help accommodate Forex broker accounts created by traders within varying budgets.