http://www.theforexnittygritty.com/forex/profitable-forex-trading Profitable Forex Trading There are two basic goals in trading foreign currencies. Companies that do business internationally use strategic Forex trading in order to hedge currency risk when paying for products and services. Speculators seek profits from the natural volatility of the Forex markets. Whether one takes a conservative or aggressive approach to trading the bottom line, so to speak, is whether Forex trading serves its purpose of hedging risk or gaining profits. With this in mind here are a few thoughts about profitable Forex trading. Basics Come First Successful traders learn and use technical analysis in order to anticipate price changes in the currency markets. This can be the time honored Japanese candlestick system or one of its younger variants. Many choose candlesticks because they are a clear and easy means to do technical analysis of Forex pairs. The Japanese candlestick symbol looks like a candle with wicks on both ends. The length of the candle shows the difference between opening and closing prices and the wicks, called shadows, are the range of trading for the day. A white candle is an up day and a black candle means that the traded currency closed lower than its opening price. Learning to use technical analysis is a good first step towards profitable Forex trading. Where Oh Where Are the Profits? The life of a trader interested only in hedging risk is easier in a non-volatile market. A currency speculator seeks volatility in order to make money. Many traders use an alert service that follows all possible trading pairs in order to know quickly where they can find promising price action. Profitable Forex trading requires a price differential between buying and selling. Skill Leads to Profitable Forex Trading A successful Forex trader needs to know what to do and he or she needs to be able to do it in the hustle and bustle of online currency trading. The set of skills necessary for currency trading includes the use of the trade station, skill in fundamental and technical analysis of currency pairs, and the ability to modify a trading plan to increase profits.