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Exchange vs. Over-The-Counter Options
Foreign exchange options can be traded either on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) market, meaning between two parties.
Types of Transactions
Manufacturing companies who buy in raw materials from abroad and export finished products undertake both the purchase and sales of foreign exchange, as they are always dependent upon the supplying companies’ country of origin and its currency for their invoicing.
Margin Trading
Margin means borrowing money from a broker to buy a stock, or commodity, or currency pair and using the investment as collateral. It is, to all intents and purposes, a performance bond in cash or another means of security deposited by a trader.
Role of the Adviser
As the adviser is the primary contact between a market maker and a client, the adviser must demonstrate an overall understanding of the foreign exchange market in order to earn and maintain the trust of clients.
Barriers
This is a standard option that automatically cancels out if spot trades through a prearranged knock-out level. This level is set below the initial spot for a call option, and above spot for a put.
Reversals
Reversals are primarily a Floor Trader strategy used to capitalize on minor price discrepancies between calls and puts. As implied by its name, reversals are the exact opposites of conversions.
When Is a System Suitable for Automation?
While the average trader can make money using any given toolkit, there are some cases that are not well-suited for complete automation.
Currency Value
The value of a currency is always given in terms of another currency. For example, the value of a US dollar in terms of British pounds is the £/$ exchange rate, and the value of the Japanese yen in terms of dollar is the $/¥ exchange rate. Understanding this procedure is particularly useful when dealing with unusual currencies.
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