Currency Trading Information

Stocks Trading - Advantages and Disadvantages


What is Stocks Trading?

Companies throughout the world issue new stock shares every day. They do so to raise capital in order to invest in the business. Once stock shares have been issued the public is free to buy and sell those issues through a stock broker. As the supply and demand for the shares changes so too does the price. Changing stock prices means opportunities to profit for a trader.

With the arrival of the internet it is now possible to buy and sell stocks relatively cheaply and almost instantly. This, coupled with increased volatility has given rise to more and more people trading stocks rather than just buying and holding them for years.

Advantages of Stocks Trading

Better returns. Actively trading stocks can produce better overall returns than simply buying and holding.

Huge Choice. There are thousands of stocks listed on markets in the US (such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq) and around the world. There is always a stock whose price is moving - it's just a matter of finding them.

Familiarity. The most traded stocks are in the largest companies that most of us have heard of and understand - Microsoft, IBM, Cisco etc.

Disadvantages of Stocks Trading

Leverage. With a margined account the maximum amount of leverage available for stock trading is usually 4:1. Meaning a $25,000 could trade up to $100,000 of stock. This is pretty low compared to forex trading or futures trading.

Pattern Day Trader Rules. Requires at least $25,000 to be held in a trading account if the trader completes more than 4 trades in a 5 day period. No such rule applies to forex trading or futures trading.

Uptick Rule on Short Selling. A trader must wait until a stock price ticks up before they can short sell it. Again there are no such rules in forex trading or futures trading where going short is as easy as going long.

Need to Borrow Stock to Short. Stocks are physical commodities and if a trader wishes to go short then the broker must have arrangements in place to 'borrow' that stock from a shareholder until the trader closes their position. This limits the opportunities available for short selling. Contrast this to futures trading where selling is as easy as buying.

Costs. Although online trading costs for stock trading are low they still add considerably to the costs of daytrading. Online futures trading is about 1/4 of the cost for the equivalent value. In the UK 0.5% stamp duty is also levied on all share purchases making trading virtually impossible - Hence the popularity of spreadbetting.

Tim Wreford runs Online Futures Trading, a website that provides information and resources for traders. Tim also provides a free day trading system, the results of which are updated daily on the site.


MORE RESOURCES:

PHP Error Message

Warning: set_time_limit() has been disabled for security reasons in /home/a1838320/public_html/forex/inc/rss.inc on line 8


Two Principals of Foreign Currency Trading Firm Sentenced for $17 Million ...
LoanSafe
by Evan Bedard on February 3, 2012 in Scams (Source: FBI) – CHICAGO—Two principals of a foreign currency trading firm that collapsed in 2007 were sentenced to 17 years and 12.5 years in federal prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to fraud ...
2 sentenced for stealing millions in fraud schemeHarrisburg Daily Register
Feds: 2 sentenced for stealing $17 million in fraudChicago Tribune

all 33 news articles »


Argentina Sends Tax Agents to Control Currency Trading
Wall Street Journal
Afip said that one well-known currency trading business, Banco Piano, refused to let inspectors do their job. As a result, Afip officials interviewed Banco Piano customers outside three of the company's branches. The government will fine Banco Piano ...

and more »


FOCUS: Technology Buoys Retail Currency Trading, Reshapes Old Models
Wall Street Journal
By Eva Szalay Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES LONDON (Dow Jones)--Retail foreign-exchange trading is emerging as one of the biggest growth areas in the currencies space, and some of the trading firms that facilitate these flows are building up a whole new ...

and more »


Morgan Stanley Currency-Trading Head Stephen Mettler Leaves Bank
BusinessWeek
By Michael J. Moore Jan. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Stephen Mettler, who oversaw Morgan Stanley's interest rates and foreign-exchange trading businesses, has left the bank. Mettler, who joined the firm in 1997, retired, according to an internal memo obtained by ...

and more »


The Daily Star

Iran bans foreign currency trading on the street
CBS News
Ebrahim Darvishi said authorities were monitoring street vendors and currency trading operations, in what was the government's latest effort to shore up the currency which was being traded on the open market at rates differing from those set by the ...
Iran bans foreign currency tradingBusiness Recorder (blog)
Iran's CB forbids foreign currency trading outside banksMiddle East North Africa Financial Network

all 141 news articles »


Daily Monitor

Weighing currency trading options
Daily Monitor
The use of leverage in currency trading is perhaps the biggest source of opportunity and stunning returns but also a significant source of investment risk that traders must know about. The commonly presented picture of glowing investment performance is ...



Evening Standard

Swiss bank chief quits after currency trading scandal
Evening Standard
The head of the Swiss central bank today dramatically resigned in a bid to end the foreign currency trading scandal that has shaken the institution to its core. Philipp Hildebrand has been under pressure to quit since it emerged last week that his wife ...
Hildebrand steps down as head of Swiss Central BankVancouver Sun
Swiss central banker quits over currency scandalCitywire.co.uk
Hildebrand Floored, So Is Swiss FrancWall Street Journal
San Francisco Chronicle -The Independent -Calcutta Telegraph
all 1,054 news articles »


CNBC.com

Euro Fails To Crack $1.32 – Greek Tragedy Enters Final Act
TheStreet.com
CV DailyFX is the forex news and research arm of FXCM, Inc (NYSE: FXCM), which provides currency trading and brokerage services and is an advertiser on TheStreet websites. Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, or other information is provided ...
Dollar erases gains against euro after US jobs reportWashington Post

all 189 news articles »


When Will The Kiwi's Remarkable Run End? Now.
TheStreet.com
CV DailyFX is the forex news and research arm of FXCM, Inc (NYSE: FXCM), which provides currency trading and brokerage services and is an advertiser on TheStreet websites. Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, or other information is provided ...

and more »


Daily Monitor

Currency trading mystery unearthed
Daily Monitor
Sometimes, however, the opportunities are about obscure pursuits like mining, oil exploration, or in this case currency trading. Over the last year or so, currency trading with the promise of lucrative returns has taken Kampalans by the storm.

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006