Forex Trading Benefits

Advantages of Trading with FXCM

Forex Execution Center

FXCM's No Dealing Desk Forex Execution aims to provide transparent and fair execution. Every trade is executed back to back with one of multiple liquidity providers,§ which compete to provide FXCM with bid and ask prices. The best spreads available to FXCM are streamed to you with a small markup, which is generally one pip for major currency pairs.

Lower Spreads

• Euro/U.S. dollar spread is frequently 2.6 pips, British pound/dollar 3 pips
• Trade on rates provided to FXCM by multiple liquidity providers
• FXCM's average monthly trading volume drives price competition
• Fractional pip pricing facilitates the tightening of spreads even further

No Dealing Desk Execution

• No conflict of interest between broker and trader
• No dealer intervention in trades
• Liquidity providers do not see your stops, limits, and entry orders
• Competition reduces the potential for market manipulation by price providers

No Trading Restrictions*

• Trade during breaking news
• Place entry orders anywhere—even inside the spread
• Scalp the market
• Rollover transparency—all amounts are displayed in advance
• Receive positive rolls at all margin levels

Facts about FXCM, Inc. (“FXCM”)

Due to the average notional trading volume that FXCM generates, FXCM has obtained close relationships with some of the most aggressive price providers. Having multiple price providers is especially important in volatile markets, when one or two liquidity providers may post wide spreads, or simply avoid quoting any price at all. With multiple liquidity providers quoting prices to FXCM, there are competitive spreads, even during market-moving news events.
FXCM does not take a market position—eliminating a major conflict of interest. A dealing desk broker, which acts as a market maker, may be trading against your position. However, with our No Dealing Desk Forex execution, we fill your orders from the best prices available to us from the liquidity providers. These prices include our mark-up, which may vary based on account type and liquidity provider. While an individual liquidity provider may try to skew its prices off the market, the unattractive price on the bid or ask side will lose the price competition and as a result, not factor into the prices streamed to you. At FXCM, prices are not subject to manipulation by a broker or a liquidity providers dealing desk.
While our competitors are beginning to follow our example of offering No Dealing Desk Forex execution, we have successfully implemented it. Excellent bid and ask prices are not meaningful unless you have a reliable trading platform to execute trades. Our trading platform is tested in all market conditions.
FXCM aims to provide clients with the best pricing available and to get all orders filled at the requested rate. However, there are times when, due to an increase in volatility or volume, orders may be subject to slippage. Read more

How to Use Currencies to Trade Gold

Want to take a position on gold without trading the yellow metal itself? Here's a way to get the same results by trading currencies.

"A lot of the time when you think of a currency to trade a commodity, you look for the country that exports a lot of that commodity," said Rebecca Patterson, global head of currencies and commodities for J.P. Morgan's private bank.

But that is not always the best approach, Patterson said. For example, South Africa is a major gold exporter, but Patterson says the currency is too volatile and the South African economy too uncertain. The good news is you can find other currency-based ways to "trade" gold, she told CNBC's Melissa Lee.

The key is considering why you want to buy it.

If gold is an inflation hedge for you, "the Australian dollar, [AUD=X  1.0242    0.0076  (+0.75%)   ] even the Canadian dollar [CAD=X  0.9887    -0.0057  (-0.57%)   ] might work," Patterson said.

But if you are buying gold for risk aversion, Patterson said, "Go with the Swiss franc."[EURCHF=X  1.0336    0.0032  (+0.31%)   ] 

She likes the fundamentals in Switzerland, and she says the Swiss franc "has had almost a 90% daily correlation with gold against the euro for the last two years."

The trade Patterson recommends is buying the Swiss franc and selling the euro at current levels, with a stop about 1% above current levels and a target of 2% below.

Todd Gordon, co-head of research and trading at Aspen Trading Group, concurred on a technical basis. He noted five waves in the Swiss franc/euro price pattern, and called current levels of Swiss franc/euro "a great entry point."

SLAPPA KIKEN Laptop Bag

SLAPPA KIKEN Laptop Bag

A seriously kick-ass bag for your serious gear

I knew the minute that I unboxed the SLAPPA KIKEN laptop bag that it was a pretty bad-ass piece of business. Puncture-proof ballistic nylon - customizable front flap options - checkpoint friendly AND roomy enough for a 17" laptop? It was enough to make me yell "KIKEN!" and karate chop things. And I did! Good thing only the dog was watching.

First, let's talk aesthetics: thanks to SLAPPA's patent pending M.A.S.K. technology, you have a choice of flaps to customize the look (and functionality) of your bag. SLAPPA sent me three to try out and they easily zip on and off. (Think Karate Kid style: Flap on. Flap off.) I'm a fan of the Lime Blast (I likes a punch of colour). The monochrome P-Tac Matrix flap is very cool looking, and there is also a woven flap called Jedi Mind Trix, which has velcro straps to let you carry more gear (including a yoga mat, if that's your thing. Jedis love the yoga). Note: you can see pics of these flaps in action over on Flickr.

Now for functionality: Just under the front flap are three very large rectangular, zippered compartments. When you're on a trip and making a presentation, you'll be able to fit all you need to connect your laptop to their projector and to a power source. External drives, powerbricks, adapters, and cords have roomy compartments and won't be mingling with your socks and underwear. The hardware on this bag is, like the bag overall, well-made and sturdy.


The interior of the bag is comprised of two clamshells that open completely for security-friendly scanning. One of the smartest features of the bag are the velcro flaps. When you want to open the clamshell compartments fully, unvelcro the sides - when you want to use the compartments as pockets, just secure the sides again. KIKEN!

The large shell storage section in the front of the bag will easily handle reading material, a few days' worth of clothes and your toiletries. A row of storage pockets provides organization to tuck away electronic accessories. Great detail: all of the lining is red so you easily locate items in bag.

The shell in the rear of the bag has a cushioned compartment that protects a laptop up to 17" (and SLAPPA notes that it'll fit Alienware m17X). This compartment faces a large zippered pocket, perfect for stashing work documents. Going through airport security, you just open this clamshell to scan. Everything is secured. Nothing's falling out.

The bag can carry a lot, so it's heavy when packed. Wearing the strap across the body is crucial. The adjustable shoulder strap, with its comfy shoulder pad, extends to approximately 51" from hardware to hardware at its max. If you are tall or have a sturdy build, the bag may sit a bit high on your body. To mitigate that, however, is the signature SLAPPA cushioned hand logo on the back of the bag, which keeps your heavy gear from bruising your hip or side.

Also, because this bag is meant to keep your tech gear safe, there aren't any easy access pockets anywhere on the exterior. Not great for getting to your passport or wallet quickly when travelling - but hey, if you can't get to them easily, neither can thieves. KIKEN!

All in all, if you are searching for a bag that will handle your tech gear, your overnight clothes and your monster laptop, consider the SLAPPA KIKEN customizable laptop bag. The kick-ass KIKEN retails for $129.99 over at SLAPPA.CA or SLAPPA.COM.