How to Choose a Forex Broker Articles | Investing

By: Guy Starbuck

To be able to trade in the forex market, you would need the nelf of a broker who will do the transactions on your behalf and earn the commissions for every transaction done successfully.

Since the number of brokers are far too many with every one trying to grab your business, it can get difficult sometimes to assess which one would be good for you. This article gives you an idea as to what to look for in a broker.

• The costs. Each broker is paid for the bid/ask service. There are no hidden fees or charges unless you ask him to access some reports or other services which are option. Naturally, the smaller the spread of the bid/ask area the smaller are his fees. Pip spreads are different from one broker to the other. Their rates also may vary according to the currency pairs. So you have to shop around for the most affordable broker.
• Available currencies. Usually brokers work with the seven big currencies like AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, and USD however in case you wish to trade New Zealand dollars or Danish krones, check with the broker if he is capable of doing so.
• Urgency in Execution. The value of every currency fluctuates all the time and any delay could add to your losses or encroach into your profits. Though any delay could also add to your gain, but it hardly works that way. Your broker must regularly execute your trade at the price which is immediately available to you on the computer screen. Of course an unforeseen delay can be pardoned but if he is in a habit of delaying then it is time to look for another broker.
• Free Tools. Charting and technical analysis tools are a must if you wish to analyze currency prices, spot trends or plan your entry and exit points. Usually a good broker offers these services free of charge, but if you want some additional service, then he may charge you.
• Minimum Account Balance. You are a small investor and you do not need a broker who requires a large amount to open an account. These days brokers will allow you to open an account with as little as $300.
• Margin Requirement. The tip for forex trading is that the lower the margin requirement, the more elbow space you have. For instance, if a broker lets you use 100:1 leverage, you could trade $100,000 in currency with as little as $1000. Margins can be used to boost your profits, though too much of margins can also wipe you out fast.
• Customer Service. Most people over look this fact when choosing a broker and regret it later. A good broker should be quick in his response to any query you have and his reps must be available round the clock 24x7 either on phone or e mail.
• A User-friendly Trading Platform. While some brokers would ask you to download a program to start trading while some others would feel comfortable if you traded directly on the internet. Short list some brokers and ask them to give you a free demo account. Trade with some play money using their soft ware to check out its efficiency. This way you can also know which system would work better for you.