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We are first and foremost a math and technology company. We are engineers and researchers working as one team to solve difficult problems, and trading millions of shares a day on the world’s financial markets

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Trade CFDs on forex, Cryptocurrency, gold, indices, US shares and more With a broker trusted by thousands of traders worldwide.
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What is forex trading and has does it work?

Forex trading is the exchange of currencies in the global market, aiming to profit from fluctuations in exchange rates. Traders buy or sell currency pairs based on market analysis, using platforms to execute trades.

What is forex trading?

Forex trading, or foreign exchange trading, is the global marketplace for buying and selling currencies. Over 70 currency pairs are traded globally in forex with traders exchanging pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD or JPY/USD aiming to profit from changes in exchange rates. It operates 24/5, allowing trading on currency value fluctuations based on economic factors, news, and market trends.

Forex trading is not all about learning “how” to trade. One of the most important overlooked factors which can impact profits and losses is “when” to trade. A trader must identify the right time to enter and exit trades. The right move at the right time can positively impact the overall trading experience. The importance of market hours in forex trading cannot be overstated.

The Forex market remains active 24 hours a day but with more than a few passages of low to no activity. There are four major forex market sessions with some overlapping. Trading activity during the overlapping sessions is usually at its peak as compared to regular activity. The busiest trading sessions and time zones to trade in are between the London and New York sessions.

Generally accepted Forex session times (using UTC):

Sydney 2100-0600 (UTC +10 hours)
Tokyo 0000-0900 (UTC +9 hours)
London 0700-1600 (UTC +1 hour)
New York 1200-2100 (UTC -4 hours)

Profits and losses rely on the volatility and liquidity of the market, so a trader can enhance profit margins by understanding the market sessions. Different market sessions provide versatility in choosing trading hours. Thus a trader can determine the best time to trade according to trading goals and preferences. The Sydney session gives traders a good and brief idea about the potential weekly trading direction. The Sydney session overlaps with the Tokyo session for a few hours, which results in peak activity and high volatility. The Tokyo session overlaps with the end of the Sydney session and the start of the London session. During this session, market volatility and liquidity are on the higher side, which provides new opportunities for traders. During the London session trading volume is significant, and market activity is very high as this session overlaps with two of the most important forex market sessions. The London session overlaps the end of the Tokyo session and the start of the New York session. The New York session is the most active and significant session of all. Its activity affects pricing, volatility, and liquidity globally. Most traders trade in overlapping sessions to benefit from the different conditions each trading session provides.

What is stock trading and how do you start trading stocks?

Stock trading via Contracts for Difference (CFDs) involves speculating on the price movement of equities of publicly listed companies without owning the underlying asset.

How do you trade stock CFDs?

To begin trading stock CFDs, prospective investors must open a brokerage account with a well-regarded CFD broker.

After successfully establishing the account, investors are encouraged to conduct comprehensive research and thorough analysis of the underlying assets to understand the market. These steps are crucial in making well-informed investment choices. Investors can start on a demo account before opening a live trading account.

When prepared, investors can proceed by executing orders through their chosen broker to either buy (long) or sell (short) CFDs across a wide range of underlying stocks.

How do macroeconomic factors influence global stock markets?

A stock’s price is influenced by numerous elements, including the strength of the underlying company’s balance sheet, future prospects, broader economic conditions, and the prevailing attitudes of investors.

Understanding how macroeconomic factors influence the stock market is crucial, as these elements significantly affect market performance, returns and, ultimately, the price movement of the asset.

Investors should, therefore, be mindful of several essential economic indicators to refine their risk management strategies, including:

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

GDP stands as the most all-encompassing economic indicator, capturing the total value of all goods and services produced within a nation over a specified period. It serves as a fundamental measure of economic growth or contraction, thereby indicating the overall economic health.

Unemployment rate

Employment metrics, such as the unemployment rate, play a pivotal role in stock market analysis. Similar to GDP, the unemployment rate is indicative of economic strength or weakness. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly jobs report provides insights into hiring trends, which can forecast future economic activity levels, while in the UK the Office for National Statistics provides the equivalent data.

Inflation

Rising inflation can dampen consumer spending—accounting for more than two-thirds of GDP—and may prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to manage price stability. Elevated interest rates typically curb economic activity and can halt stock market rallies. Conversely, declining inflation often leads to lower interest rates, potentially sparking stock market growth.

What is cryptocurrency trading and how does it work?

Over the past few years, cryptocurrency trading has gained immense popularity as an alternative investment opportunity – largely thanks to Bitcoin’s prevalence in the media. The potential for high returns and the appeal of a decentralised financial system are just two reasons why more and more people are exploring the world of digital currencies.

What is cryptocurrency trading?

Cryptocurrency trading simply refers to the act of buying and selling digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum and other altcoins. Unlike traditional currencies controlled by central banks, cryptocurrencies operate on decentralised networks using blockchain technology.

Traders can participate in either spot trading, where you buy actual cryptocurrencies, or in Over the Counter (OTC) derivatives trading, such as contracts for difference (CFDs), where you speculate on price movements without actually owning the underlying assets.

Why do people trade cryptocurrency?

People trade cryptocurrencies for all sorts of reasons. One of the most obvious motivations is the potential for high returns due to the crypto market’s inherent volatility. Cryptocurrencies also allow for interesting diversification opportunities, as they can provide a hedge against traditional assets.

There’s also the decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies, which can be appealing for investors who prefer to dabble in a financial system without intermediaries. For others, the 24/7 availability of crypto markets can be highly attractive, as it means traders can act on CFD opportunities at any time – not just during standard market hours. Then there’s the speculative or hedging attraction of trading pairs (e.g. BTCUSD) on Pepperstone. It is important to remember when trading cryptocurrency CFDs like offered by Pepperstone you do not own the underlying cryptocurrency.

What are the most popular cryptocurrencies?

Undoubtedly the most popular cryptocurrency is Bitcoin (BTC), however Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) and Litecoin (LTC) are also heavily traded in today’s marketplace, often through Contracts for Difference (CFDs) which allow traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying assets. There are also interesting followings for penny cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin.

Bitcoin is often referred to as digital gold as it’s the first and most widely recognised cryptocurrency. However, Ethereum stands out as well for its smart contract functionality which enables decentralised applications (dApps) to run on its blockchain.

Elsewhere, cryptos like Ripple facilitate fast and cost-effective cross-border payments, while Litecoin allows for faster transaction times and lower fees compared to Bitcoin. Then there are altcoins like Bitcoin Cash, which is a fork of Bitcoin, that claim to provide faster and cheaper transactions.

How do I choose which cryptocurrency to trade?

Choosing the right cryptocurrency to trade with CFDs involves careful consideration of myriad factors. Start by analysing current and historical market trends, and understand the technological foundation and adoption rate of the coin. Be sure to also research the development team and the real-world problems the cryptocurrency aims to solve.

With Pepperstone, you can trade cryptocurrencies CFDs involving Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and more without the need for a digital wallet or cryptocurrency exchange with the ability to go long or short with leverage up to 2:1 as you are trading a CFD of those cryptocurrencies, not the cryptocurrency itself. The most important thing is to stay informed about market news and developments to make well-timed trades.

What moves cryptocurrency markets?

Crypto markets are influenced by several different factors, including:

Technological advancements: Such as blockchain upgrades or new features, which can drive market sentiment.
Regulatory news: Both positive and negative news can influence prices.
Market sentiment: This is driven by investor perceptions and social media trends.
Macroeconomic factors: Things like inflation rates and global economic conditions.
Speculation and trading volume: These may also contribute to market volatility and, as a result, create opportunities for traders.

How do I start trading cryptocurrency CFDs?

After doing your due diligence and deciding that cryptocurrency CFD trading is something you want to do, you’ll need to open an account with a CFD broker that offers crypto CFD trading, such as Pepperstone.

Choose a platform that provides CFDs on various digital currencies.
It’s a smart play to start out using a demo account so you aren’t actually trading with your ‘real’ money to familiarise yourself with how to trade crypto CFDs.
Once you are confident and understand how crypto CFD trading works, you can set up your trading account.
You’ll need to deposit funds and familiarise yourself with the platform’s various trading features to get started.

As always, do market analysis and develop a trading strategy before trading cryptocurrency CFDs. Depending on your risk appetite, you might start with smaller trades to gain some experience and then gradually increase your trading volume to your risk tolerance.

What is commodity trading and how do you trade them?

Commodity trading involves buying and selling raw materials and consumables that power industries and economies worldwide. But what does it really mean to trade commodities, and how can you get started?

What is commodity trading?

Commodities form the backbone of our economies, underpinning critical sectors such as infrastructure, communications, energy, food, clothing, and more. As such, commodity markets play a vital role in modern life. These markets attract a diverse range of participants, including producers, consumers, end users, speculative traders, and investors worldwide.

Commodity contracts, which are the standardised units in which commodities are traded, are typically deliverable. This means the buyer must be able to take delivery of the underlying commodity at the conclusion of the contract, while the seller must be able to fulfil that delivery obligation.

In practice, however, physical delivery is usually limited to commercial traders and end users. Speculative traders generally close their positions or roll them forward well before the delivery date. Most retail traders, on the other hand, trade commodities using non-deliverable, cash-settled instruments such as Contracts for Difference (CFDs).

Why do people trade commodities?

Commodity prices fluctuate based on factors, such as supply and demand, geopolitics, the weather, the strength or weakness of key currencies, and macroeconomic data. Those price movements can be sharp and sustained, which makes commodity trading an attractive proposition for speculators, however, it is not without its risks.

How do you trade commodities?

To start trading CFDs on commodities there are just a few simple steps you need to take:

You’ll need to open an account with a broker, who will provide you with a choice of trading platforms, and access to CFD commodity prices.
Once your trading account is open you can fund it by making a deposit.
The next step will be to download the trading platform and then you can familiarise yourself with how it works.
Once you are confident about using the trading platform you will be ready to start trading commodity CFDs.
Pepperstone trades in what are known as commodity CFDs, or Contracts For Differences, which are cash-settled and non-deliverable.
That means you can trade long or short with equal ease, and don’t have to worry about the ownership or delivery of the underlying commodities.

What are the different types of commodities?

Commodities can be divided into two main groups, known as hard and soft. Hard commodities include things like copper, nickel, gold, oil and gas, and other industrial materials. Whilst the soft commodities include foodstuffs and ingredients, such as cocoa, coffee, wheat, corn, and soya. As well as cotton, lumber and livestock.

Premium client service

To qualify as a premium client a minimum trading balance of $400,000 is required and must be maintained at all times. This is subject to change.

Our Premium client service is designed to recognize and reward our high end clients with
exclusive rewards, bespoke benefits and exceptional priority service.

Premium client benefits

As a premium client, you’ll enjoy the following additional benefits:

Bespoke service and support

A highly-skilled account manager will be appointed to work with you to offer premium client solutions and support to suit your individual trading style.

How to qualify as a premium client

To qualify as a premium client with us, we require you to meet one or more of the following thresholds for two consecutive calendar quarters. Retail and Pro clients are eligible to become a premium client.

Exclusive Benefits.

Advanced market insights

Access a range of expert trading resources and exclusive insights

Discounts, refunded daily

Earn discounted commissions refunded daily when you qualify.

Premium events

Receive exclusive invitations to VIP premium events, seminars and workshops, private dining experiences and sporting events.