The foreign exchange, or forex market, has become an increasingly popular destination for those hoping to make the most of their investments. However, like any market, it has its share of pitfalls which can ensnare novice investors. Avoid these dangers, and get the most from your money by using the techniques in this article.

You will need a broker to trade with Forex, so make sure that you choose your broker wisely. There are many charlatans out there looking to take advantage of you. It is up to you to make sure that you find a reliable, skilled broker whose ultimate goal is to build a successful working relationship with you.

Using stop losses can be a great advantage. By applying stop losses to your orders, you can easily protect yourself from too great a loss. Also by doing this you create an automatic exit for your order should the market turn out of your favor. With a stop loss in place you know the worst you will face and can prepare to move on.

When placing a stop loss point, never risk more than two percent of the total cost of the initial investment. Limiting your risk in this way, means that you will not lose large amounts of equity in any one market shift. Remember, you can always buy back into a winning currency, but you can’t get back the money you lost if you don’t sell out in time.

Before your purchase an automated Forex trading software system make sure that you have one that fits your own needs. The software is useless to you unless you know it will suit you. For example, there are systems that cover many currencies and others that cover brokerage and trading activities. Do your research on the software before you purchase it.

Pick a time horizon to trade in and stick to it. The trading style of a short, middle and long term investor vary wildly. If you are trading on the long term, you can’t jump just because you see bad news coming out. If you are on the short term, you’ll want to react immediately.

Calculate the risk and reward of every trade, not just the big ones. You should be aiming to make at least 2 times the amount you are risking on every trade or it’s not worth the risk and effort. Some fails will trade but by paying attention to this formula for every trade, you can still come out ahead.

Stop trying every system that comes around. There is no secret formula to trading. It’s fine to research the new systems, but unless something tells you that it will be a marked improvement from your current, leave it alone. Forex trading is about following your plan and following your trading rules. Simple is usually best.

As with any investment, a proper understanding of how the forex market works is a vital first step before you invest your money. Once you know what you are doing, however, you can avoid the dangers and begin to see a real return on your investment. Just use the advice you’ve learned from this article.