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Understanding the Doji Candlestick in Trading

Candlestick charts are widely used in technical analysis to visualise price movements over a chosen time period. Among the many candlestick patterns, the Doji is one of the most recognisable and frequently discussed. While it does not guarantee any particular outcome, the Doji can offer insight into market indecision and potential shifts in sentiment. A Doji is a candlestick where the open and close are at, or very near, the same price, highlighting market indecision within that period. Its interpretation depends on context, such as trend, nearby support/resistance, and volume; on its own, it does not predict direction. What Is a Doji? A Doji forms when the opening and closing prices of an asset are at or very close to the same level during a specific time frame. This results in a candlestick where the body appears very small or as a thin horizontal line, with upper and/or lower wicks extending above and below. The appearance of a Doji indicates that neither buyers nor sellers ha...

How Does a Stop Loss Work?

Managing risk is a core principle in trading. One of the most widely used tools for this purpose is the stop loss . While commonly seen on trading platforms, its function is sometimes misunderstood, especially by those new to market mechanics.  This article provides a clear, fact-based explanation of how a stop loss works, what triggers it, and how it fits into trade management. Rather than using the traditional format of definitions followed by examples, this article explains the concept through a series of practical questions and answers to offer an alternative, structured learning approach. What Is a Stop Loss? A stop loss is an instruction to automatically close a trade when the price of the asset reaches a specific level. It is designed to limit how much loss can occur on a given position. The stop loss price is set by the trader in advance. If the market price moves to or beyond that level, the platform will execute a market order to close the trade. Is a Stop Loss a ...

What Is a CFD (Contract for Difference)?

A Contract for Difference (CFD) is a financial agreement between two parties that involves exchanging the difference in the value of a financial instrument between the time the contract is opened and when it is closed. This type of contract allows individuals to participate in price changes without owning the underlying asset. CFDs are used to track the price movement of assets such as currencies, stocks, commodities, and indices. This article explains, in clear and factual terms, how CFDs function and what they represent. What a CFD Represents A CFD is a derivative instrument . This means its value is derived from the price of another asset (called the underlying asset ). The CFD itself is not the asset; it is a contract that reflects how much the asset’s price changes over time. When a CFD trade is opened: The current price of the underlying asset is recorded. When the trade is closed, the difference between the opening and closing prices determines the result of the trade....

What is Leverage? Understanding the Risks and Mechanics of Leverage

One of your first missions when stepping into today’s markets is to know how leverage works and what is leverage . By allowing investors to control big positions with only a small amount of their own cash, trading platforms have made leverage a core tool people rely on.  This article covers everything about leverage, how it works, and the risks that come with it, all while staying within the rules set by regulators. Defining Leverage in Trading Simply put, leverage means you can borrow money from your broker so you can place a trade much bigger than your account balance . It is usually shown as a ratio, like 10:1 or even 100:1 , and that number tells you how many times your cash is being multiplied. Brokers offer this feature on everything from EUR / USD pairs to Tesla shares and Bitcoin trades. How Leverage Works Leverage lets traders put up only a small part of a trade, called margin, while the broker covers the rest. The margin works like collateral, and the broker adjus...

A Beginner’s Guide to Order Types Explained: Market, Limit, and Stop

When you step into trading-whether it be forex, knowing about the types of trading orders is a must, since this is the way to tell the market how to work with your invested funds. That message is carried by the kind of order you pick: market , limit , or stop .  Knowing the ins and outs o f these three options helps keep beginners from losing money simply because the right command was never sent to the trading screen.  Understanding Order Types At its core, an order is a written instruction telling a trading platform to buy or sell a certain asset at a certain moment. Market orders, limit orders, and stop orders each play a special role, letting you decide exactly how fast or slow your trade should move.  No matter whether you’re eyeing the EUR / USD , a Tesla share , or a piece of Bitcoin , these basic commands keep your money in line without forcing you into any preset game plan. The Types of Trading Orders – A Complete Review A market order is simple: hit th...

What Economic Indicators Should Forex Traders Watch – Full Guide?

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New investors diving into Forex need to understand Forex trading economic indicators , which are key reports like interest rates or job numbers that signal how currencies might move, helping you trade smarter and grow money over time.  These indicators, tied to a country’s economic health, can lift or drop pairs like USD/EUR , giving beginners a way to predict shifts and avoid blind bets in the fast-paced Forex market.  This guide highlights the top ones to watch, showing you how they shape trades and boost your chances of success over weeks, months, or years. Let’s get started! Why Economic Indicators Matter Economic indicators matter because they show how strong or weak an economy is, and grasping Forex trading economic indicators means seeing how they drive currency values up or down over time for traders everywhere.  A good report might strengthen a currency like the dollar , while a bad one could weaken it, directly affecting your profits or losses in Forex ...

The Role of Central Banks in Currency Valuation – Complete Guide

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New investors aiming to understand global markets should explore the role of central banks in currency valuation , where institutions like the Federal Reserve or European Central Bank shape how much a currency is worth through their policies over time.  These banks control the money supply , interest rates , and more, directly affecting exchange rates that can lift or lower your investments in forex or stocks.  This guide explains how they work, helping beginners see their impact and trade smarter with a clear grasp of currency shifts. Let’s get started! What Are Central Banks? Central banks are government bodies, like the Bank of Japan or Reserve Bank of Australia, tasked with managing a country’s money and economy, and understanding central banks in currency valuation starts with seeing them as the big players setting the rules over years.  For those new to investing, they’re like referees , keeping cash flowing and stable , using tools to tweak how strong or we...