Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

1 What Is the FOREX? 1

Introduction 1

FOREX Defined 12

A Brief History of the FOREX 13

Free-Floating FOREX Market 13

Major FOREX Participants 14

2 More FOREX 15

Currency Pairs 15

Recommended Currency Pairs 16

Why Trade the FOREX 19

Volume in the FOREX 19

Analyzing the FOREX 23

How Profits Are Made 23

The FOREX as a Two-Way Market 25

3 Forecasting the Market 29

Fundamental Analysis 29

Technical Analysis 32

Fundamental versus Technical Analysis 33

4 Currency Options 35

Currency Options Introduction 35

Options Pricing 36

Advantages of Trading Options 37

European and American Options 37

Exotic Options 38

Lock in Profits 40

Accelerate Your Profits 41

5 Creating a Workstation for Trading 43

Workstation Location 43

Trading Computer and Accessories 44

Internet Connection 45

Trading Software Programs 45

6 Fundamentals of Trading 51

Introduction to Trading Theory 52

Trends Defined 53

Trend Cycles 53

High-Probability Trading 55

Sideways, Nontrend Strategy: Wait for Strong Trends 55

Uptrend Trading Strategy: But at Dip Bottoms 55

Downtrend Trading Strategy: Sell at Rally Tops 58

Symmetrical Triangle 58

Ascending Triangle: A Bullish Continuation Pattern 63

Descending Triangle 65

The Falling Broadening Formation 67

Support Breakdown or Resistance Breakout 67

The Double Bottom 68

Head and Shoulders (Crown) 70

7 Economic Fundamentals 73

Introduction 73

Economic Indicators 74

Inflation Indicators 76

Employment Indicators 78

Consumer Spending Indicators 78

Leading Indicators 79

8 Introduction to Technical Analysis 81

Technical Analysis Defined 81

Technical Analysis Assumptions 82

Bar and Candlestick Charts 83

Technical Analysis Terms 86

Market Patterns: Uptrends, Downtrends,and Sideways Trends 87

Support and Resistance 95

Moving Averages 95

9 Advanced Trading Charts and Indicators 103

Tools for Technical Analysis 104

Bollinger Bands 104

Directional Movement Index (DMI) 107

Stochastic Indicator 107

Moving Averages (Simple, Weighted, and Exponential) 110

Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MAC/D) 116

Momentum 119

Relative Strength Index (RSI) 119

Rate of Change (ROC) 122

Volume 122

10 Fibonacci Numerical Sequences and Elliot Waves 125

Introduction 125

Fibonacci Rectangles and Shell Spirals 127

Fibonacci Retracements 128

Fibonacci Extensions 128

Fibonacci Time 129

Fibonacci Circles 130

Elliot Waves 135

11 Money Management Principles 139

Trade with Sufficient Capital 140

Exercise Discipline 140

Be Patient and Persistent 141

Employ Risk-to-Reward Ratios 141

Follow Trading Rules 143

Accept Losses 144

Always, Always Use Stops 144

When In Doubt, Stay Out 145

Never Overleverage Your Account 145

Make Realistic Goals That Can Be Achieved within Reason 146

Always Trade with Money You Can Afford to Lose 147

Protecting Your Profits 147

Keep a Trading Log 147

12 Six Steps to Success 149

Identify Current Long- and Short-Term Trendsand Which Trend to Trade 149

Check News and Market Announcements 150

Identify Support an