Factors That Affect the Forex Markets in the Short Term | Retirement

Factors That Affect the Forex Markets in the Short Term

by Hass67

There are two types of forex traders. One type of traders depends on fundamental analysis in trading forex. The second type of traders depends on technical analysis in trading forex. Whether you are a fundamental trader or a technical trader, you should not underestimate the importance of economic data in shaping trading strategies.

Over 90 percent of currency transactions are done against USD. USD is either the base currency or the counter currency in most of the currency trades.

Since majority of the currency trades involve USD, you as a forex trader will also most probably trade USD most of the time. Release of certain economic data has significant and lasting impact on currencies like USD.

With experience, you will understand that currency markets reaction to the release of different economic data with time also changes. A few years back, US GDP figures used to be important for USD but they dont have much impact now.

EUR/USD is the most liquid pair in the forex market and is heavily traded. The release of Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data on the first Friday of each month has become important in recent years. These figures makes EUR/USD and other pairs involving US Dollar highly volatile for some time until the markets digest the importance of these figures.

Similarly, the release of US housing sales number every month has become very significant for USD in the recent years. Previously, forex markets used to give more importance to US Trade Balance.

If you are a range trader who likes to scalp for a few pips every trade, you should avoid trading on the day NFP data is released. Release of NFP figures makes the markets jittery and highly volatile.

However, if you are a breakout trader, the knowledge of which economic data is expected to be released can help you in determining the size and confidence of the trade.

In brief, knowledge that certain economic indicators make the forex markets move most is important for you as a trader. It is also important for you to know that particular economic data, the market considers most important at any point in time.

You should also know which data causes knee jerk reaction in the markets and which pieces of data will have lasting reaction in the forex markets.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Mr. Ahmad Hassam has done Masters from Harvard University. He is interested in day trading; stocks and forex. Read about Trend Forex System. Best Forex Signal Service. Learn Forex Trading.