Posts Tagged ‘financial markets’

Why Trade the Forex?

Monday, January 26th, 2009

The Foreign Exchange, also referred to as Currency, Forex, FX or 4X Trading, is the giant of the financial markets. Historically the Forex was only accessible to the banks, large institutions and governments, however over the past 10 years, (with the help of technology making its way into almost every home worldwide), every day mum and dad investors can also compete with a little help of the Forex brokers enabling them access to high leverage, and become part of the 95% of speculators worldwide who trade this $3 trillion dollar a day, 24 hours, 5 days per week market.

There are many benefits for traders to chose the Forex as their main preferred trading instrument:

  • First of all the leverage potential is a massive, there are many amounts available even as much as 400:1. This means a trader with a $50,000 trading account could achieve the maximum of exposure of $20 million.
  • No commissions or brokerage (brokers make their money by the spread only).
  • Limited Risk. Traders can only ever lose what is in their trading account as the Forex brokers will instantly close out the losing position or all their positions should the traders account fall below the brokers margin policy. Unlike other trading instruments where the account can go into negative figures where the account holder will need to immediately repay within a number of days.
  • Accessible - If you work part-time or full time, or have other things on in your life, trading the Forex can fit in to your lifestyle as it is open 24 hours.

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Investing - Buy and Hold Strategy

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Does a buy and hold strategy still work well for unit trust funds? There’s an argument that buy and hold is not a strategy, but is the same as not doing anything. To make it worse, your investment may ’sink’.

Given an example, let’s say, you bought into an equity fund in December 1998 and kept it until December 2004 and had a return on investment (ROI) of -2%. If you had actively managed your investments and switched to a bond fund (during bull bond market) and returned to equity later (during bull equity market), your ROI would have been 15%. Thus, some analysts suggest a buying, monitoring and rebalancing strategy.

The buy and hold strategy is based on an assumption that over the long run, markets will go up eventually. It’s a strategy that helps the investor save on transaction costs, taxes on capital gains and avoid the hassle of buying and selling.

There are a number of factors concerning this strategy. First, it’s assumed that the portfolio is diversified into different stocks and asset classes. If the investor only invested in one stock, he won’t even recover the cost today. He needs to invest across the asset classes (bonds, gold, cash etc.). In the long term, the portfolio will give good but not necessarily the best results.

Second, the investments must be fundamentally sound. In developing countries, a buy and hold strategy may not produce the best results many changes are still taking place. Thus, business cycle, the economic and investing environment and government policies will change, in line with the country’s development. When change happen, you can’t ignore the impact.

That being the case, investors are advised to review their investments regularly (at least once a year). But should unit trust investors try timing the market? As you know, a unit trust fund is a medium to long term investment vehicle. However, you can’t just invest and forget about it. Investors should monitor them closely and not easily give up control of their hard earned money.

Not all investors are literate enough to know when to enter and exit asset classes. Investors’ emotions come into play, making it hard for them to sell and take profit or cut losses, especially those who invest directly in the market. Thus, leave it to the professionals if you’re clueless and illiterate about financial markets, although even professionals can’t get it right all the time too as timing the market is never easy.

Another critical element of unit trust investing is to figure out if you’re comfortable with the fund manager’s style. If the investor were to rebalance his portfolio himself, in this case, the asset allocation decision is made by the investor himself. When markets move, he decides whether to buy, hold or sell.

For you those of you who prefer taking control of your investment, even if it’s a small sum, make sure you go into a fund that charges minimal entry and exit fees or allows free switches between funds in the same company and in the same year. Only move your investments when you believe market fundamentals have changed, otherwise don’t get caught up with investor sentiment.

Even if there were no changes in the investing environment, your own objectives may have changed, so it’s wise to review your portfolio at least once a year.

For investors who prefers to let the fund manager decide so long as they get a reasonable return on investments, there are funds that allow you to just sit back and watch your investments grow (if you’re lucky!). Go with funds and fund managers whose investment style suits your risk profile.

Finally, investors need to be educated. Get literate in your finances or make sure your investment consultant is literate.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Investing

A Beginners Guide To The Forex Markets

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

The main function of the foreign exchange market is to support the trading of assorted global currencies. Although the majority of trades concern only a small number of currencies, including the U.S. Dollar, Yen, Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, Australian Dollar, and Canadian Dollar, many other different types of currency are exchanged on a smaller scale. Over 90% of all exchanges on the forex markets involve the U.S. Dollar.

The forex market is, despite the popular impression, a composite of several contrasting markets, each of which sustains its own rules and regulations, with no one centred market in which all currency trading takes place. Because of the different time zones the major markets, which are located in the U.S., London, and Tokyo, open during different hours. When the New York market opens, and while the European markets are still operating, is when trading is heaviest and nearly two thirds of the trading action happens during this convergence.

An Individual exchange rate for a given currency does not subsist since there is no centred market. Whilst they are normally reasonably close to each other, the bid and ask rates for a currency can deviate among dissimilar geographic markets and market makers because of the over-the-counter (OTC) nature of the markets.

Each currency has an international currency code which is displayed by trio of letters and since the price of a currency must be given in relation to another currency, it is expressed in the form XXX/YYY. The price of Euros in U.S. Dollars is written as EUR/USD, for example. The strongest currency when the pair was created is generally the first in the pair and known as the base currency, and the other currency is called the counter currency. Typically rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth of a unit the actual prices themselves are displayed in decimal form.

Approximately $1.9 trillion changes hands every day in the forex markets and it constitutes the biggest marketplace in the world. With nearly 80% of trades lasting less than a week forex trading is largely a speculative, short-term market. With the many traders encompassing the globe and the very high daily turnover it is an exceedingly liquid market, much more so than equities.

Nearly three quarters of total dealing volume, however, involves the top ten most active traders. Known as the interbank market and made up of international banks, the trading activity that takes place between them supply the market with bid and ask prices that are far tighter than retail clients can anticipate.

Forex futures contracts, that are derivative instruments that are also actively traded was inaugurated in 1972 at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and are responsible for approximately seven percent of the total foreign exchange volume. Another popular hedging strategy that has also taken hold is foreign exchange options. Investors often buy these derivatives, which are contracts to purchase currency at a certain price on a future date, to counterbalance the decline in the price of a currency and any possible losses they might endure.

An additional means traders are capable of mitigating risk is through an exchange, in which both parties agree to switch one currency for another for a set period of time, and will then reverse the transaction after the period runs out.

The foreign exchange market is a fast-paced, international currency exchange that is without competition amongst financial markets.

International companies, prominent banks and financial organisations will ensure its huge popularity continues and its growth is guaranteed into the future.

You can access more information about forex trading at http://www.forex-revealed.info, a popular website that provides tips and advice to achieve success in the forex market.

Forex Currency Trading For Beginners

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

The idea of trading in the Forex market can be very appealing. Without the proper education it is very risky. The appeal is obvious: leverage relative small sums for large profits. Who wouldn’t be interested in this. Before you begin it is essential to learn all that you can and to practice with fake money in order to prepare for the real thing.

Forex is the largest financial market in the world. This market operates 24 hours every single day and operates seven days per week. This makes the Forex market the single most liquid market in the world.

Because the Forex market is so very liquid it is quite different when compared to other financial markets, such as stocks. Because this market operates 24 hours every single day worldwide, trading is not centralize in just one location. This trading starts in Sydney, Australia and ends in New York, U.S. Because of this fact you can trade in the Forex market whenever you wish regardless of the time.

Previously, Forex trading was available to only large financial institutions. Also, is was only offer to large, multi-national corporations and established currency dealers.

This existed in part to the strict financial requirements imposed by the Forex market. Originally this meant that individuals and small companies were not able to participate.

In the late 90s all of this changed. For the first time the Forex market became available to both individuals and small businesses. This was due largely to advances in communications technology. It was high speed internet that made access possible into the Forex market. Because of this it has become one of the best ways to make money from home.

Partly because of the economy and partly because of access, Forex trading is becoming more popular every day. Stop and think about it. Who wouldn’t want to be involved in the largest and most liquid market in the world? It is very possible that trading in this market will provide you with the opportunity to earn a very comfortable living. Conversely, trading in this market obviously has its risks.

It is extremely important for you as a beginner to have the proper knowledge on how to trade in this market. For starters, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of websites devoted to this subject. Some of the websites provide dummy Forex accounts where you can practice before becoming involved with real money.

It is important to practice with a dummy account first. You will not have to risk your money. At the same time you can become familiar with the ins and outs of what is actually required to become successful.

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Discover the Secrets to Automating Your Income Using Forex Trading Systems

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Ever since the introduction of automated forex trading systems, there has been a surge in interest in this type of trading. Small and mid level investors are now getting into the foray of what was once only dominated by banks and other large financial institutions. This market deals with trading the currency of one country for that of another country. Because trillions of dollars are traded 24/7, it makes this one of the largest and most active financial markets.

The advent of internet and advance communication technologies coupled with automated forex trading systems, today anyone can join in the trading provided he has a computer with an internet connection, a forex brokerage account and good knowledge of how trading works. Close and constant monitoring is required if you want to keep your position as the global market never sleeps. Automated systems allow you to pick up a currency and record the asking and selling price. With the help of a broker and your seed amount, your purchase and sell orders would be carried out immediately.

The automatic forex trading systems can help you reap the profits of the market despite the fact that you are not a professional trader. When you trade through managed accounts, the automated system carries out the work for you. You save a great deal of time with these auto systems since you do not have to carryout the trading yourself. Unlike manual trading, the auto systems allow you to manage multiple accounts simultaneously with the help of a trading platform. The biggest advantage of these programs is that you are allowed trading many systems in many markets.

You can use automatic forex trading systems any time you like and it does not require your presence. There is no chance of missing any profitable opportunity even if you are not present in front of your computer. You are then free to use the various forex strategies and multiple systems. Different trade factors impact different systems; you can therefore direct your investments and control risks.

To eradicate human emotions which often come in the way of making logical trading decisions, these automated forex trading systems are indispensable. You can now have the capacity to manage several currencies and monitor and trade them too.

Using an auto forex trading system does not spare you from learning the basics of trading, fundamental and technical analysis, study of market indicators, etc. Several factors and conditions control the market, so no automated system can assure you of profits all the time. You can customize the automated forex trading system according to your specific requirements.

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In the World of Investments and Finance

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Investments includes how to value stocks, bonds, and other financial securities; the theory and practice of portfolio management; and the functioning of the securities markets.

Financial institutions examines the role of financial intermediaries, especially commercial banks, in the financial system and the principal managerial issues facing such institutions. Investment in companies may be in shares or by direct investment (private equity).

Islamic scholars have made some concessions on permissible companies, as most use debt either to address liquidity shortages (they borrow) or to invest excess cash (interest-bearing instruments).

Financiers are rightly rewarded for taking risks, which by their nature cannot be entirely managed away or anticipated. The tendency for success to breed complacency and recklessness is as ingrained in financial markets as it is in any other walk of life.

Financial mathematics is the study of financial data with the tools of mathematics , mainly statistics . Such data can be movements of securities?stocks and bonds etc.?and their relations.

Students will learn how to establish appropriate investment objectives, develop optimal portfolio strategies, estimate risk-return tradeoffs, and evaluate investment performance. Many of the latest quantitative approaches are discussed.

Students interested in financial careers receive an excellent professional financial education through the College of Business? Finance Program. You will find highly qualified faculty members, well defined jobs in the field, and other resources, which properly used will lead to excellent career prospects.

Students are also required by the Mathematical Sciences Department to pass a Qualifying Examination, covering major and minor topics, to certify the students’ preparedness to begin research. The minor topic may be numerical analysis, statistics, or finance/economics. Students majoring in business need only three additional economics courses to get a minor in economics.

Finance is about ideas. And one of the nice things about finance is that the same ideas come back again and again - but dressed up in different disguises. Finance is a specialty that deals with the allocation of resources on the corporate, institutional and personal levels.

Money is the life blood of the economic system and the flow of money through corporations, capital markets, and financial institutions are integral to how that life blood gets pumped through the system, how it nourishes the health of the system, and how the economy sustains and perpetuates the standard of living that we enjoy. Finance is fast, easy, and free. You can create and maintain as many portfolios as you like with a single Yahoo!

Finance is responsible annually for the audit, budget, capital improvement program and the long range financial plan for the City. Finance also directs the issuance of municipal debt and industrial revenue bonds.

Accountants and finance specialists are essential to a firm’s growth and development. If you are interested in a career in this field, you are fortunate to be able to make use of the many career opportunities which abound worldwide in this growing area.

Accounting and Control, Business Studies, Economics) or Master’s programmes at other universities can also be included in your curriculum after approval of the Master’s in Quantitative Finance programme committee. You can thus create your own future career profile.

Jigfo.com is a global platform for sharing and learning knowledge. For more information on this article topics visit:
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The Best Newbie Forex Currency Trading Advice

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

If you are trying to find the one forex currency trading advice that can really break the bank, then you may be in for a huge let down. Like all successful business ventures out there, there is no miracle product that can declare the easiest bid to get rich. And I am giving you this information upfront just to let you know that the greatest “forex currency trading advice” is really a series of shrewd thinking, perfect timing and relentless pursuit of profits on your part.

Saying such, here are a number of things to consider.

Take full advantage of software applications available to you.

Often, when you download forex software program, there are several applications that act as a tutorial or even as a demo program. The one big mistake that many of us do is that we try the applications once (or twice) or only until we get the hang of things. However, it should be noted that the more you utilize these applications, the more you will see how forex trading really works.

Most of the demo applications can help you scour the financial markets for likely investments. It can also give you information on market trends, and get you pips on a regular basis. Practice your trading skills on these, and learn what investments or markets are actually earning you money, and which ones to avoid altogether.

Listen and scout around for advice but make the final decisions on your own.

You could always visit forums and ask for advice. You certainly won’t find free forex trading advice lacking. However, you should know that not all advices are sound (or even sane.) Try not to rely heavily on such advices, but do substantial research on your own. And act only in accordance to what you think is right.

Follow your own system.

There may be a number of so-called “experts” spouting off their own secrets to success; (not much of a secret, really.) However, as a forex trader, you should be able to create and follow your own path to riches. Follow whatever methods work best for you, and you should be off to a great start.

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You have to be very careful when purchasing a software though. Some of the software’s just sit around and never make you any money. If you want to make thousands every week with forex I suggest you take a look at the website: Forex Trading Review

The Federal Reserve and its Role as U.S. Money Cops

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

The Federal Reserve is easily one of the most powerful–and misunderstood–of all American institutions. The Federal Reserve’s steady hand as America’s “central banker” has been especially critical to U.S. economic performance during the past 25 years. Why?

The management of fiscal policy (taxation and spending) during the majority of those years by various Administrations and Congresses was less than admirable. As a result, the enormous and irresponsible buildup of Federal debt remains, for now, our collective lasting legacy.

Today’s Federal Reserve–under the control of Chair Ben Bernanke–enjoys a very high level of credibility as an inflation fighter. In the world of central banks, there is no loftier objective…nor any greater success.

Inflation Control

The Federal Reserve’s number one responsibility is to maintain American price stability. It has been largely successful over the past 15 years in doing so, with consumer prices rising at an average annual rate of 2.7% since 1991. More comprehensive measures of inflation have risen at even lesser rates. In contrast, U.S. consumer prices rose an average of 6.2% annually during the ’70s and ’80s, with a painful bout of double-digit inflation in 1979 and 1980.

Today’s Fed is very concerned that higher energy prices now impacting the economy will contribute to a broad series of price increases for thousands of products and services across the economy. Such a pass-through of energy costs keeps Fed officials awake at night.

Add in volatile commodity and gold prices, the fear of further terrorism in the U.S. and abroad, enormous purchases of U.S. Treasury securities by foreign investors, and a handful of other topics, and one gets a feel for the life of a Fed official. It is not for the faint hearted.

In its efforts to maintain price stability, the Fed many times is called upon to…

1) “take the punch bowl away from the party” (to slow the economy) when it gets a bit too rowdy

2) administer preventive “medicine” to its patient (the U.S. economy) when necessary in order to minimize the chance of a more serious “inflation disease” later, which would require even more drastic action (more painful medicine)

Note: Most changes to monetary policy are enacted by the Fed adding reserves to or withdrawing reserves from the banking system through a process called open market operations. The result of such moves is to increase or decrease the Fed’s most critical interest rate, the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is the rate at which commercial banks and certain other financial institutions invest excess funds with other commercial banks on an overnight unsecured basis.

The federal funds rate is easily the most important of ALL short-term interest rates. Changes in the federal funds rate immediately impact the level of all other short-term interest rates, including the prime lending rate and various short-term investment rates. The discount rate, the other rate controlled by the Fed, is now almost irrelevant in today’s conduct of monetary policy.

The “Dog” and the “Tail”

While many of the Federal Reserve’s official responsibilities remain unchanged from earlier years, the nature of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy flexibility has changed markedly during the past 25 years. In my opinion, the Federal Reserve is no longer the primary determinant of when monetary policy changes are necessary–the U.S. bond market is.

Since the Federal Reserve’s creation in 1913 until perhaps the late 1970s, the Federal Reserve solely determined monetary policy. The nation’s bond market–much smaller during those times–then quietly fell in line. During that era, the Federal Reserve was the “dog,” while the bond market was the “tail.” This relationship has now reversed.

Today’s reality is that the Federal Reserve, to a large extent, provides the monetary policy mix that is demanded by a powerful and very inflation-sensitive bond market. The market is now the “dog,” while the Federal Reserve is the “tail.”

Today’s inflation-wary bond market provides the Federal Reserve with less monetary policy flexibility than at any time in its history. Any future Federal Reserve attempt to over-stimulate U.S. economic growth with “easy money” would be met with rising long-term interest rates (to protect lenders/investors from impending higher inflation) and cries of Federal Reserve irresponsibility.

Conducting Monetary Policy

How is proper monetary policy determined by the Federal Reserve? The Fed is clearly concerned about the inflation implications of today’s historically tight labor markets and the wage pressures that could result.

In addition (and figuratively speaking), today’s Federal Reserve conducts monetary policy using an old-style balancing scale with four trays.

In separate trays, the Fed balances:

1) Criticism from the “hawks,” who see inflation under every rock. The hawks are typically critical of the Fed, noting that the institution is not aggressive enough in diffusing inflationary expectations

2) Criticism from the “doves,” who constantly argue that monetary policy is too restrictive. The doves argue that the Fed has usually gone too far in monetary tightening or not eased policy enough, and that the Fed frequently threatens the economy with the “r” word…recession

3) Recent price performance of gold and various other commodities. Price movements in these commodities can serve as inflation red flags, as well as signs of monetary policy that is too restrictive

4) The current shape and slope of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, including the most recent direction of 10-year U.S. Treasury Note and 30-year U.S. Treasury Bond yields. Such information provides a clue as to the bond market’s collective view of inflation expectations

Only when all trays are in “relative balance” does the Fed consider monetary policy to be appropriate.

The Fed must also consider the inflation implications of U.S. dollar strength or weakness relative to other global currencies. The Fed must also consider the conduct of monetary policy by other major central banks including the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan…

…not a task for the faint-hearted

Economic futurist Jeff Thredgold is President of Thredgold Economic Associates, a professional speaking and economic consulting company.

Since 1976 Jeff’s weekly economic and financial newsletter, Tea Leaf, has been helping people make sense of the tangled maze of the U.S. and global economy and financial markets in a light, approachable style. Sign up to receive the free Tea Leaf email newsletter and let Jeff Thredgold show you how to use this information to enhance your financial well-being for years to come.

Jeff is the author of econAmerica: Why the American Economy is Alive and Well…and What That Means to Your Wallet (Wiley, 2007), and On the One Hand…The Economist’s Joke Book.

His career includes 23 years with $96 billion banking giant KeyCorp, where he served as Senior VP and Chief Economist. He now serves as economic consultant to $50 billion Zions Bancorporation, which has banks in 10 states.

Learn to Trade Forex - Basics Before You Trade in Forex

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

Should you want to learn to trade forex here are some of the basics you should know. Currency or forex markets are the biggest financial markets. Daily the volumes of the market are $3 trillion. That’s a whole lot of trades been done everyday. Since its one of the most lucrative markets, one can learn to trade forex Forex is traded in currency pairs. This means that Euros are bought and simultaneously British pounds are sold or Dollars are sold and simultaneously Japanese Yen are bought and so on. There are six major currencies that constitute 85% of the market share and are known as majors. These are the US, Canadian and Australian dollars, Euro, Japanese Yen and the British Pound. The Swiss Franc is also heavily traded. All other currencies are known as minors.

Buying and selling the currencies

Currencies are always traded like EUR/USD or JPY/USD and so on. In EUR/USD, EUR is the base currency. Rates are quoted as Bid/Ask rate. The “Bid” rate is the rate at which the base currency can be sold and equivalent other currency can be bought. While the “ask” rate is the rate at which the Base currency can be bought and equivalent other currency bought. The difference between the bid and the ask rate is the spread or the profit that the forex trader can make.

No central market where the trade is done

Forex currency market is real time market where the value of the forex is changing every second. A Forex market has no physical limitations and is conducted over the internet and through the phone. Unlike the stock exchange, the forex market has no central exchange. All forex deals are conducted through the forex trading software and that is why it can indeed be easy to learn to trade forex like the trading it can all be done online.

Using forex signals

Forex trade is conducted through the forex signals that are sent by major financial institutions and global banks. To access the forex signals, forex traders need to subscribe to the alerts. Te forex signals are sent to the trader through the email or directly to their phones. These are short text messages that tell the forex trader whether to buy sell or hold the currency. These signals are valid only for a short span of time, about 1 hour. The forex markets change continuously, the signals also change accordingly.

Those who don’t want to be stuck behind the computer while conducting forex trade also conduct the forex trade through robot forex trade software, were the robot will automatically buy and sell orders according to the criteria fixed by the customers.

If you would like to learn to trade forex then visit our site below for some of the best forex software around and more information on how you can start to earn money by trading in forex.

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Dear God, I Am A Good Christian! Pass Me The Holy Grail In Trading!

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Money.

Indy, or Indiana Jones was one of my favorite heroes. Remember the movie about the Holy Grail and the scene where he has to choose between the holly grail and his life? And although it seemed that he lost from his touch the Holy Grail he gained his life! What is more important than survival first? Investments are no different than the eternal search for the holly grail! If someone finds the system that is 100% foolproof then here we found within seconds the next billionaire at the cover of all major economic magazines!

Stop for a moment! Look around you! Is there a chance for someone to discover the one system that beats everything else all the time and make someone extremely rich? And if someone becomes so much rich why would he or she want to share the secret with others? Why? After all if more people learn about this idea it will eventually be useless as some will try very early to get a spot and the effectiveness will go from 100% towards zero as fast as a super car accelerates from 0-100 Miles per hour what is the point? Come on give us a synopsis!

Some systems and trading ideas are better than others indeed. But no one is the best! Investing is a very fascinating thing! For start there are a lot of options from the traditional stocks to more risky ones such as options and also other alternative forms such as real estate or hedge funds. Have you ever thought that since the idea of the holly grail is that it is unique that could it be possible that such a system if it existed it would be impossible to fit for all occasions? Investing in stocks is much more different than investing in real estate or precious metals. But the marketing which is something very powerful these days wants us to believe that there are gurus everywhere fallen from the sky as angels!

Ok so Dear God, if not the holly grail please pass me the best guru to make me rich! Silence again. Why? Investing builds on some major steps.Education,training,experience,solid risk management, control of emotions, balanced life and motivation. Yes motivation and action. Being an Economist I discovered very soon the idea and passion must say of learning how to invest properly and hopefully make it a career.

But what someone needs is also passion. It is no fun watching the ticks of stocks movements or forex quotes. But if someone tries to make money out of it there is a cost. And the best way to pay this cost is to be a pioneer. Experiment with what you know or do not know about how the markets work. Put the odds in your favour making your analysis. You do not need to buy each book claiming that it has the one system that will make you rich or subscribe to a service or newsletter paying thousands of dollars per year. Be open-minded. Why pay a lot of money when the real cost could be much less? Is it impressive to cost you a few hundreds or thousands of dollars for their access to the Holy Grail that does not exist? Why to share it with you and split the profits?

On the other hand paying for research and guidance at a reasonable price is definitely not a bad idea if you trust the author and offers extreme good customer service. But once you learn how to invest even with the most basic way why would you need a mentor anymore? Have you ever wondered that if you win and make profit the key to success is consistency? Think of it. If you only could make lets say 5% each month and compound this amount each month then if you can do this for 10 years each month an initial amount of 10,000 will reach the amount of 348 times higher that is 3,5 million dollars. And if that investment is in stocks and add some quality meaning dividends earned then it could be much more. Ok 5% each month each month for 10 years may seem irrational to you but my point is to use it as an example. Change the numbers and inputs. Do your own homework and research.Diversify!Apply very good risk-management criteria. Have a passion for it. And a dream and a goal. My goal is to learn as much as possible about the financial markets and be a good trader. I may not become a top one but at least this is my holy grail : Consistency and Compounding. Keep it simple. All the best to your efforts and trading results.

http://www.themoneycosmos.com

Economist,MSc In Economics
Level II candidate in the CFA Program
http://www.themoneycosmos.com