Forex And Commodities Futures And Options. What To Know Before You Trade.

The popularity of trading futures and options has been growly rapidly for several years. The ease of accessing constantly updated data online has prompted an increased fever by day traders to attempt to be successful and make money in this risky investment area. Individuals can now trade these markets with the same ease and speed as large companies.

Trading forex ( foreign exchange ) and commodity futures and options is not for everyone. It is a complex and risky business that experiences volatile price and value swings. Before you invest any money in forex, commodities futures or option contracts, you should:

* Consider your financial trading experience, goals, and financial resources and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment.

* Understand commodity futures and option contracts and your obligations before commiting your finances into trade contracts.

* Understand your risk exposure and aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you.

* Know who to contact if you have a problem or question.

* Ask more questions and gather more information before you open an account.

Commodity futures and option contracts:

A futures contract is a legally binding agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific financial product or commodity in the future, on a designated exchange, for a specific quantity of a commodity at a specific price. The buyer and seller of a futures contract will agree now on a price for a product to be delivered, or paid, for at a specifically set date and time in the future, which is known as the "settlement date." Actual delivery of the commodity can take place in fulfillment of the contract, but most futures contracts are actually closed out or "offset" prior to delivery.

An option on a commodity futures contract is a legally binding agreement between two parties that gives the buyer, who pays a market determined price known as a "premium," the right (but not the obligation), within a specific time period, to exercise his option. Exercise of the option will result in the person being deemed to have entered into a futures contract at a specified price known as the "strike price." In some cases, an option may confer the right to buy or sell the underlying asset directly, and these options are known as options on the physical asset.

In the United States, an individual, cannot trade futures contracts and options on futures contracts directly on an exchange. A person or firm must trade on your behalf. People and firms who trade on your behalf as a customer generally must be registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Two general categories of trading accounts:

* Individual Account. In an individual account, trading is done only for you. An individual account may be setup as either a "non-discretionary" or a "discretionary" account. A "non-discretionary" account, means that you will make all of the trading decisions and the broker may not execute any transactions without your prior approval and consent. A "discretionary" individual account, means that you give permission to the broker firm carrying your account or some third party to make trading decisions on your behalf.

You may open an individual account with a registered Futures Commission Merchant or through an Introducing Broker. An Introducing Broker may accept your orders and transmit them for execution to a Futures Commission Merchant with which the Introducing Broker has a relationship. You deposit funds directly with the Futures Commission Merchant. In an individual discretionary account, you grant power-of-attorney to a Futures Commission Merchant, an Introducing Broker, one of their Associated Persons, or a Commodity Trading Advisor to make trading decisions on your behalf.

Commodity Pool. You may also trade commodities through a "commodity pool." This means you are purchasing a share or interest in the pool, and trades are executed for the pool as a whole, rather than for the individuals who have interests in the pool. Pool participants share in any gains or losses.

If you have a dispute or a problem arises out of your commodity futures or option account, first try to resolve the problem with your broker. If that is not successful, then you have options for resolving disputes: (1) the CFTC Reparations program; (2) industry sponsored arbitration; or (3) court litigation. In selecting a particular approach, you may want to consider the cost, length of time involved and whether or not the assistance of an attorney is required. More information on dispute resolution is available from the CFTC's Office of Proceedings (202-418-5250).

A Checklist "Before You Trade":

Make sure you have:

* Clearly identified your financial goals, including the amount of risk and loss you can handle? * Determined how much assistance and help you may want from a trading advisor in making trading decisions? * Checked the registration status and disciplinary history of the advisor or pool you select with the National Futures Association? * Received and thoroughly reviewed the disclosure document -- before you open an account? * Clearly understood the disclosure document, including the statement of fees, the potential for loss, your right to withdraw your funds and the "break-even analysis?"

Make sure you ask questions for anything that you do not understand. Remember, it is your money, make sure you know where it is going.

Call the CFTC or the NFA with any questions you may have?

http://www.cftc.gov>http://www.cftc.gov http://www.nfa.futures.org>http://www.nfa.futures.org

About the author:

Article is courtesy of http://www.forex-trading-i.com/ . Visit for more information on Forex, Commodities and Futures Trading. This article may be freely reprinted as long as the author's resource box and url links remain intact.

Written by: Greg Smith


Getting Started With Forex Trading
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple,...
getting_started_with_forex_trading.htm

Learn Forex Trading
If you want to learn to trade Forex, it is paramount ...
learn_forex_trading.htm

So You Would Like To Trade Forex
You'd like to learn how to trade Forex and becoming a successful trader who makes money! ...
so_you_would_like_to_trade_forex.htm

What Is Forex Trading All About
The Forex market, aka. the foreign exchange, is open 24 hours a day, during the business week of course....
what_is_forex_trading_all_about.htm

An Explanation Of Forex Trading
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex tradin...
an_explanation_of_forex_trading.htm

A Comprehensive Forex Broker Register
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily...
a_comprehensive_forex_broker_register.htm

Five Reasons You Have To Start Forex Trading
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
five_reasons_you_have_to_start_forex_trading.htm

Forex Trading Information Beware Of Frauds
The Forex market is growing rapidly and ...
forex_trading_information_beware_of_frauds.htm

Forex Trading Making Money With Money
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_trading_making_money_with_money.htm

Online Forex Trading Is Quickly Becoming A Booming Business
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Fo...
online_forex_trading_is_quickly_becoming_a_booming_business.htm

Sending Signals For Trading In Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
sending_signals_for_trading_in_forex.htm

What Is A Forex Broker
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is...
what_is_a_forex_broker.htm

Where To Get Forex Training
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
where_to_get_forex_training.htm

All About Forex What You Need To Know
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simp...
all_about_forex_what_you_need_to_know.htm

A Beginner S Guide To Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily l...
a_beginner_s_guide_to_forex.htm

A Look At Forex Market Makers
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily l...
a_look_at_forex_market_makers.htm

Forex Expertadvisor Mechanical Trading Systems What Every Trader Should Know
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_expertadvisor_mechanical_trading_systems_what_every_trader_should_know.htm

Forex Market Offers Opportunity And Information
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex t...
forex_market_offers_opportunity_and_information.htm

Forex Trading Create Fantastic Wealth From Forex Trading
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_trading_create_fantastic_wealth_from_forex_trading.htm

Is Forex Trading Better Than Stocks
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is eas...
is_forex_trading_better_than_stocks.htm

Learn Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily l...
learn_forex.htm

The Duty Of A Forex Market Maker
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple...
the_duty_of_a_forex_market_maker.htm

Day Trading Forex Market Behaviour
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while...
day_trading_forex_market_behaviour.htm

How To Learn Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily lea...
how_to_learn_forex.htm

Major Advantages To Trading Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not...
major_advantages_to_trading_forex.htm

Starting Out With Forex Online Trading
Trading on the Forex, aka the foreign exchange, has never been easier than it is today and For...
starting_out_with_forex_online_trading.htm

Disclaimer
...
disclaimer.htm

Privacy
...
privacy.htm

Forex Trading For The Little Guy
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple...
forex_trading_for_the_little_guy.htm

Pivot Points In Forex Mapping Your Time Frame
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is e...
pivot_points_in_forex_mapping_your_time_frame.htm

Revealed Million Dollar Forex Investing Mistakes
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it i...
revealed_million_dollar_forex_investing_mistakes.htm

How To Start Trading The Forex Market Part 7
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learne...
how_to_start_trading_the_forex_market_part_7.htm

Forex Enterprise A Full Review
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_enterprise_a_full_review.htm

Forex Charting Lesson Chapter 1 Introduction
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is no...
forex_charting_lesson_chapter_1_introduction.htm

The Miracle Of Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is eas...
the_miracle_of_forex.htm

Forex Case Study The Canadian Dollar
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_case_study_the_canadian_dollar.htm

An Overview Of Forex Investing Strategies
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
an_overview_of_forex_investing_strategies.htm

Impress Your Date With Forex Trading Lingo
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, ...
impress_your_date_with_forex_trading_lingo.htm

How Does Forex Compare To Other Investment Markets
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not s...
how_does_forex_compare_to_other_investment_markets.htm

The Uses In Forex Trading Of Moving Averages And Macd
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
the_uses_in_forex_trading_of_moving_averages_and_macd.htm

Three Important Forex Concepts For New Traders
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex tradin...
three_important_forex_concepts_for_new_traders.htm

Forex And The Anatomy Of An Elliot Wave
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_and_the_anatomy_of_an_elliot_wave.htm

What Is Rollover Interest In The Forex Market
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
what_is_rollover_interest_in_the_forex_market.htm

How Many Forex Order Types There Are And How To Use Them In Your Favor
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex tradin...
how_many_forex_order_types_there_are_and_how_to_use_them_in_your_favor.htm

Forex Glossary
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex t...
forex_glossary.htm

Explosive Profits 7 Reasons To Trade Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is n...
explosive_profits_7_reasons_to_trade_forex.htm

Example Of A Profitable Transaction In Forex
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
example_of_a_profitable_transaction_in_forex.htm

Forex For Absolute Dummies
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_for_absolute_dummies.htm

How To Start Trading The Forex Market Part 5
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
how_to_start_trading_the_forex_market_part_5.htm

Snippetsrss
...
snippetsrss.htm

Forex System 24 Hour Trading Transparent Currency Trading Market Always Open For Business
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily lea...
forex_system_24_hour_trading_transparent_currency_trading_market_always_open_for_business.htm

Forex Signal Services
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learned....
forex_signal_services.htm

Forex Rates
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is eas...
forex_rates.htm

Forex Fund Averages 20 Per Month
The Forex market is growing rapidly and while Forex trading is not simple, it is easily learn...
forex_fund_averages_20_per_month.htm

Articles & Resources

Major Advantages to Trading Forex

When most investors hear the word forex, the words that flash through their brain are "risky," "complicated," and "tiny profit margins." This is...

Continue ...

Forex And The Anatomy Of An Elliot Wave

As you enter the world of Forex you will immediately feel the basic need all Forex traders have: A method or technique to forecast the market behavior with the highest possible accuracy. There...

Continue ...

Click the Chart Below to Get What You Need ...

Forex Trading

Peter Bain Forex Trading Video Course

Example of a Profitable Transaction in FOREX

As it was mentioned earlier, there are TWO timeless rules of Investing in FOREX: RULE #1) ~ Cut your losers; let your winners ride. YOU WILL HAVE LOSING TRADES. We do. Every FOREX trader does. The...

Continue ...

Google