Glossary of trading terms

An increase in the value of a currency. For example, if USD/JPY rises from 105.00 to 110.00, the USD has appreciated against the JPY.

A strategy that involves taking advantage of the price discrepancy between two markets, typically by buying an instrument in one market at a lower price and simultaneously selling it in another market at a higher price. For example, suppose EUR/USD is trading at 1.2000 on one platform and 1.2005 on another. As an arbitrageur, you could buy on the first platform at a lower price and immediately sell on the other, making a profit of 0.0005.

This is a bullish pattern characterised by a flat top and a rising bottom.

The ask price in trading is the lowest price at which a seller is willing to sell an asset. It is always higher than the bid price, which is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay. The difference between the bid and ask prices is called the spread. If the EUR/USD is quoted as 1.1100/1.1103, the ask price is 1.1103.

The Average True Range (ATR) is a technical indicator that measures market volatility by calculating the average range between the high and low prices over a set period, typically 14 days. It provides traders with an idea of how much an asset's price typically moves, helping them set stop-loss levels, manage risk, and identify potential breakouts. A higher ATR indicates greater market volatility, while a lower ATR suggests a more stable price movement.

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A bear market refers to a condition where prices are falling or are expected to fall, usually by 20% or more from recent highs. In a bear market, investors often turn pessimistic about the state of the market, fearing further losses. These markets usually occur during economic recessions or downturns, when unemployment is rising, and inflation is potentially high.

The bid price in trading is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for an asset. It is always lower than the ask price, which is the price at which a seller is willing to sell. The difference between the bid and ask prices is known as the spread. If the EUR/USD is quoted as 1.1100/1.1103, the bid price is 1.1100.

A technical analysis tool defined by a set of lines plotted two standard deviations away from a simple moving average. The bands widen when volatility increases and narrow when volatility decreases.

This is the point at which, if the trade were closed at that moment, there would be a net $0 gain. No gains and also no losses.

When the price of a currency moves above a resistance level or below a support level. For example, if USD/JPY moves above the 110.00 resistance level, that's a breakout.

Brent is a light, sweet crude oil, meaning it has low sulfur content and is relatively easy to refine into gasoline and diesel. Brent is the global standard for oil pricing, used to price around two-thirds of the world's crude oil contracts. It is commonly mentioned alongside its American counterpart West Texas Intermediate (WTI). WTI is primarily used for U.S. pricing, while Brent is the international benchmark.

This term refers to a market condition where prices are either already rising or are expected to rise. In a bull market, investors are optimistic and confident that good results will continue, which can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bull markets are often associated with strong economic performance and low unemployment.

This pattern is identified by a formation that starts with the lead-in trendline slope being at an angle of about 30 degrees. Then the trendline angle increases to about 45 degrees as the market advances rapidly, forming the "bump". Then the trend suddenly reverses and accelerates downward, forming the "run".

A buy limit order is an instruction to purchase an asset at a specified price or lower, giving traders control over their entry price. This suggests that the trader will not pay more than the set price, allowing for better cost management in their trades.

A Buy Stop is a type of pending order that is used to buy a security only when the price reaches the specified stop price. It is used when a trader expects the price of a currency to rise past a certain point and then continue rising. The trader sets a Buy Stop order at a level above the current market price, predicting that the upward trend will continue after that point.

Actions taken by a country's central bank to control the value of its currency. For example, if a central bank wants to weaken its currency to boost exports, it might sell its own currency in the forex market.

Three forex pairs that are heavily correlated to commodities. These are USD/CAD, AUD/USD, and NZD/USD. If commodity prices go up, these pairs tend to rise; if commodity prices go down, these pairs tend to fall.

A period of indecision that ends when the price of the asset breaks through the existing support or resistance level. For example, if AUD/USD has been trading between 0.7500 and 0.7600 for a while, it's in consolidation.

A measure of inflation that evaluates the change in the cost of goods and services from the consumer's perspective. High CPI readings can lead to higher interest rates, which can strengthen a country's currency.

These are technical chart patterns that signal that an existing trend is likely to continue.

A contract between two parties, typically described as "buyer"and "seller", stipulating that the seller will pay to the buyer the difference between the current value of an asset and its value at contract time (if the difference is negative, then the buyer pays instead to the seller).

A statistical measure that describes the association between random variables. In forex, correlation refers to the relationship between two currency pairs. If two pairs move in the same direction, they are said to have a positive correlation; if they move in opposite directions, the correlation is considered negative.

A currency pair that does not include the US dollar. Examples include EUR/GBP, GBP/JPY, and EUR/CHF.

This is a bullish chart pattern that is defined by a chart where a currency's price rises to a peak and subsequently declines, followed by a rise beyond the initial peak.

A transaction in which two entities agree to exchange two fixed amounts of currency for a certain length of time and then reverse the exchange at a later date.

A decrease in the value of a currency. For example, if USD/JPY drops from 110.00 to 105.00, the USD has depreciated against the JPY.

This is a bearish pattern characterised by a flat bottom and a descending top.

A foreign exchange rate is quoted as the domestic currency per unit of the foreign currency. For example, in the US, a direct quote for the Canadian dollar would be 0.75 USD/CAD.

A risk management strategy that mixes a wide variety of investments within a portfolio. For example, a trader might diversify their portfolio by trading multiple currency pairs instead of just one.

This is a pattern observed when the price of a currency drops twice to the same level before rebounding.

This pattern is formed after a sustained trend and signals that the currency is unlikely to climb any further.

A policy stance that favours lower interest rates to stimulate economic growth. For example, if a central bank is talking about cutting interest rates or implementing quantitative easing, it's being dovish.

The decline in one’s trading account from a trade or a series of trades. It's important to manage drawdown with proper risk management.

A schedule of economic events that could impact currency prices. For example, central bank interest rate decisions, employment reports, and GDP data releases are all events on an economic calendar.

A statistic about economic activity. Economic indicators allow for analysis of economic performance and predictions of future performance. Examples include unemployment rates, the inflation rate, and GDP.

A form of technical analysis that forex traders use to analyse market cycles and forecast market trends by identifying extremes in investor psychology, highs and lows in prices, and other collective factors. The theory, developed by Ralph Nelson Elliott, proposes that markets move in a series of impulse and corrective waves.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank for the eurozone, responsible for managing the euro (EUR) and setting monetary policy for its member countries. It controls interest rates, inflation, and money supply to ensure financial stability and economic growth across the euro area. The ECB’s decisions on rate hikes, quantitative easing, and liquidity measures have a major impact on forex markets, bonds, and European stock indices.

The value of one currency for conversion to another. For example, if EUR/USD is trading at 1.1850, that's the exchange rate.

A currency pair that includes a major currency and the currency of a developing economy. These pairs are less liquid, more volatile, and more susceptible to manipulation.

These are software tools used in the MetaTrader trading platform that can automate trading strategies. They're often used in forex trading and are programmed to generate trading signals or to even automatically place trades according to pre-set rules.

A type of moving average that places greater weight and significance on the most recent data points. Like all moving averages, this is used to help forecast future prices and help traders identify trends.

The Federal Reserve (Fed) is the central bank of the United States, responsible for managing the country's monetary policy. It regulates banks, controls interest rates, and influences money supply to promote economic stability and growth. The Fed also acts as a lender of last resort during financial crises and works to maintain low inflation and high employment.

Similar to Fibonacci projections, Fibonacci expansions are used to determine the end of a correction or a counter-trend bounce. Expansions are used in conjunction with price patterns and movements to identify where the price could go.

This refers to areas of support or resistance beyond the 100% Fibonacci retracement level. Extensions forecast potential areas where the price may hit, following a price swing and retracement.

A tool used in technical analysis to help predict potential price targets by measuring the distance from a peak to a trough and projecting this distance forward from a new peak or trough.

A technical analysis tool used to identify potential support and resistance levels. For example, after GBP/USD makes a big move up, traders might use Fibonacci retracement to predict where it might pull back to.

This is a chart pattern used in technical analysis. It’s characterised by a sharp, straight price movement followed by a sideways or slightly downward drift.

An agreement to buy or sell a set amount of a currency at a specified price, to be settled at a set date in the future or within a range of future dates.

Analysis based on economic indicators and political news. For example, a trader might look at GDP growth, inflation, and political stability to gauge a currency's strength.

The total value of goods and services produced by a country. Higher GDP growth can strengthen a country's currency as it indicates a healthy economy.

This is a pattern that, when formed, signals the currency is likely to move against the previous trend.

An investment to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset. For example, if you have a long position in EUR/USD, you might hedge against potential losses by taking a short position in another pair that's highly correlated with EUR/USD, such as GBP/USD.

A type of algorithmic trading characterised by high speeds, high turnover rates, and high order-to-trade ratios that leverages high-frequency financial data and electronic trading tools.

A foreign exchange rate quoted as the foreign currency per unit of the domestic currency. For example, in the US, an indirect quote for the Canadian dollar would be 1.33 CAD/USD.

A differential measuring the gap in interest rates between two similar interest-bearing assets. Traders in the foreign exchange market use IRDs when pricing forward exchange rates.

The risk of sudden price gaps in a market due to unexpected news or events, making stop-loss orders ineffective.

The ability of a currency to be quickly converted into cash. Major currencies like EUR, USD, and JPY typically have high liquidity.

If a trader goes 'long' on a currency pair, it means they are buying the base currency and simultaneously selling the quote currency. They are betting that the base currency will strengthen against the quote currency. If it does, they stand to make a profit. For example, if a trader believes that the USD will strengthen against the JPY, they will go long on the USD/JPY pair.

Also known as easy monetary policy, it involves lowering interest rates and increasing the money supply in an economy, often to stimulate economic growth.

The number of currency units a trader will buy or sell in a forex trade. For example, one standard lot in forex is 100,000 units of the base currency.

A broker's demand for an investor to deposit additional money to cover potential losses. For example, if losses make your margin drop below the required level, your broker may make a margin call.

A margin closeout occurs when the trader’s margin level drops below the stop-out level, leading the broker to automatically close positions to prevent further losses. Unlike a margin call, a margin closeout happens automatically and without warning once the stop-out level is reached.

A widely used indicator in technical analysis that helps smooth out price action by filtering out the “noise” from random short-term price fluctuations. For example, a 50-day moving average might be used to determine the overall trend direction.

A trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages of a currency’s price. When the MACD crosses above the signal line, it gives a bullish (buy) signal, and when it crosses below, it gives a bearish (sell) signal.

The flow of orders that influences the price changes in the market. Large buy or sell orders can significantly impact the price of a currency.

A situation where an asset has been traded to a point where an unwarranted high price is realised. For example, if the RSI of GBP/USD is above 70, it's considered overbought, which might signal a potential reversal.

Opposite of overbought; a situation where an asset has been traded to a point where an unwarranted low price is realised. For example, if the RSI of GBP/USD is below 30, it's considered oversold, which might signal a potential reversal.

This is a continuation pattern where a large movement in price is followed by a much smaller consolidation. The pennant looks like a small, symmetrical triangle that begins wide and converges as the pattern matures.

The smallest unit of price for any foreign currency, generally the fourth decimal place. If EUR/USD moves from 1.1850 to 1.1851, that's a one-pip move.

One-tenth of a pip. Some brokers quote currency pairs beyond the standard "4 and 2"decimal places to "5 and 3"decimal places.

A technical analysis indicator used to determine the overall trend of the market over different time frames. The pivot point itself is simply the average of the high, low, and closing prices from the previous trading day.

A style of trading in which positions are held for a long period, typically weeks or months. For example, a position trader might buy USD/CAD, expecting it to increase over the next few months.

The movement of a currency's price. Price action is often analysed in relation to changes in price patterns and trends.

A price channel is a chart pattern that displays the high, low, and middle lines of a security’s prices. Price channels can slope up (indicating bullish sentiment) or down (indicating bearish sentiment); they don’t have to simply go “sideways.”

The second currency in a currency pair. For example, in the EUR/USD pair, the USD is the quote currency.

A momentum indicator that measures the magnitude of recent price changes to evaluate overbought or oversold conditions. Values of 70 or above indicate an asset may be overbought, while values of 30 or below indicate an asset may be oversold.

A price level that a currency's price has difficulty rising above. For example, if USD/JPY has failed to rise above 110.00 several times, that's a resistance level.

A change in the direction of a price trend. For example, if GBP/USD has been falling but then starts rising, that's a reversal.

These are chart patterns that signal that a current trend may be about to change direction.

The process of identifying and mitigating trading risks. This might involve setting stop-loss orders to limit potential losses or diversifying investments to spread risk.

Risk-on is market sentiment where traders are willing to take on more risk, typically benefiting higher-yielding currencies. Risk-off is when traders are risk-averse, typically benefiting safe-haven currencies like the USD, JPY, and CHF.

ROI (Return on Investment) is a metric used to calculate the profitability of a trade or investment.

The interest that you earn or owe for holding a currency position overnight. Each currency has an overnight interest rate associated with it, and because forex is traded in pairs, every trade involves not only two different currencies but also two different interest rates.

This chart pattern is observed when a series of market movements cause the price of a currency to reach a bottom, slightly recover, and then fall to the bottom again.

This is a chart pattern that can be observed in the event of a peak reversal following a strong upward trend.

This is a pending order used when a trader expects the price of a currency to rise before it falls. The trader sets a Sell Limit order at a value above the current market price, predicting that the price will reverse and fall after reaching the predetermined level.

This is a pending order that a trader uses when they expect the currency price to fall past a certain level and then continue falling. They set a sell-stop order at a value below the current market price, predicting that the downward trend will continue after reaching the predetermined level.

A 'short' position is the opposite of a long position. When a trader goes 'short' on a currency pair, it means they are selling the base currency and simultaneously buying the quote currency. They are betting that the base currency will weaken against the quote currency. If it does, they can make a profit. For example, if a trader believes that the EUR will weaken against the USD, they will go short on the EUR/USD pair.

When a trade is executed at a different price than expected. For example, if you place an order to buy EUR/USD at 1.1800 but it gets filled at 1.1802, that's slippage.

The market in which commodities or currencies are immediately delivered and paid for upon purchase. This is contrasted with the futures market, where such commodities are traded for future delivery.

The spread is the difference between the bid price (sell price) and the ask price (buy price) of an asset. It represents the cost of entering a trade. Tighter spreads – a small difference between the bid and ask – are found in high-liquidity markets like forex or major indices. Wider spreads – a larger difference – occur in low-liquidity assets or during high volatility.

A momentum indicator comparing a particular closing price of a security to a range of its prices over a certain period of time. The theory suggests that it's possible to predict a price reversal when the oscillator crosses above or below extreme values.

An order to sell a security once it reaches a certain price to limit loss. For example, if you bought EUR/USD at 1.1800, you might set a stop-loss at 1.1750 to protect against a major decline.

Basic economic principles where the price of an asset is dictated by the quantity of a product that producers want to sell (supply) and the amount that consumers are willing and able to buy (demand).

These are specific price levels or price areas on a trading chart that can signify the continuation or change of a trend.

A price level where a currency's price has difficulty falling below. For example, if USD/JPY has bounced off 108.00 several times, that's a support level.

A rollover interest that is earned or paid for holding positions overnight. For example, if you hold a long position on a currency with a higher interest rate than the one, you're shorting, you'll earn a positive swap.

Swing trading is a trading strategy that aims to capture short- to medium-term price movements, typically over a period of one day to a week. Traders look for trends or price swings in the market and enter positions to profit from upward or downward movements. For example, a swing trader might try to profit from the ups and downs in the EUR/USD price over a period of several days.

This pattern is characterised by a set of trendlines converging together as time progresses.

Analysis based on charts and statistical trends. For example, a trader might use support and resistance, moving averages and volume patterns to predict future price movements.

A course of action undertaken by a central bank, such as raising interest rates to reduce the money supply to curb inflation.

A cycle in which a central bank raises interest rates to curb inflation. A tightening cycle is often negative for currency values due to the decreased money supply.

The software used to open, monitor, and close trades in the forex market. Examples include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Axi Trading Platform. The availability of each platform with Axi depends on your region.

The general direction in which the market is moving. For example, if GBP/USD has been increasing over the last few months, it's in an uptrend. Conversely, if GBP/USD has been decreasing over the last few months, it's in a downtrend.

This is a variation of the double bottom. It's a bullish reversal pattern.

This is a variation of the double top and is considered a reversal pattern.

An unborrowable stock is a stock that no one is willing to lend to short-sellers. In traditional short-selling, a trader borrows shares from a willing lender and later buys them back to close the position. A stock becomes unborrowable when no lenders are available, making short-selling through this method impossible. However, traders can still short-sell using CFDs or spread bets, which allow speculation on price movements without needing to borrow or sell the actual shares.

In finance, a unit is a standardized measure of ownership or investment in an asset, fund, or financial product. It can represent shares in a mutual fund, exchange-traded fund (ETF), or a portion of a structured investment. Units are commonly used to simplify trading and valuation, allowing investors to buy and sell fractional interests in larger investment pools. In the context of Contracts for Difference (CFDs), a unit represents the smallest tradable amount of an asset, such as a single share in a stock CFD or a set amount of a commodity or currency pair.

A measure of market expectations of near-term volatility conveyed by S&P 500 stock index option prices. It's also known as the "fear gauge"because it tends to rise during periods of market turmoil.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a grade of crude oil that serves as a major benchmark for oil pricing, particularly in the United States. It is a light and sweet crude, meaning it has low sulfur content (sweet) and low density (light), making it ideal for refining into gasoline and diesel. WTI is one of the most widely traded crude oil benchmarks, alongside Brent crude.

The ISO 4217 code for one troy ounce of gold. It is commonly used in trading, particularly in the commodities and derivatives markets. The XAG/USD precious metal pair refers to the price of gold against the U.S. dollar. Traders use XAG/USD CFDs to speculate on the price of gold without owning the underlying asset.

XPT is the internationally recognized ISO 4217 code for one troy ounce of platinum. It is actively traded in the commodities and derivatives markets. The XPT/USD pair represents platinum’s price relative to the U.S. dollar, offering a reference point for investors. As with other precious metals, traders use XPT/USD CFDs to gain exposure to platinum prices without owning the metal.

A graph showing the relationship between interest rates and bond maturities, which traders use to predict economic trends and market sentiment.