Foreign exchange brokers, unlike equity brokers, do not take
positions for themselves; they only service banks. Their roles are to bring
together buyers and sellers in the market, to optimize the price they show to
their customers and quickly, accurately, and faithfully executing the traders'
orders. The majority of the foreign exchange brokers execute business via phone
using an open box system — a microphone in front of the broker that
continuously transmits everything he or she says on the direct phone lines to
the speaker boxes in the banks. This way, all banks can hear all the deals
being executed. Because of the open box system used by brokers, a trader is
able to hear all prices quoted; whether the bid was hit or the offer taken; and
the following price. What the trader will not be able to hear is the amounts of
particular bids and offers and the names of the banks showing the prices.
Prices are anonymous. The anonymity of the banks that are trading in the market
ensures the market's efficiency, as all banks have a fair chance to trade.
Sometimes brokers charge a commission that is paid equally by the buyer and the
seller. The fees are negotiated on an individual basis by the bank and the
brokerage firm. Brokers show their customers the prices made by other
customers, either two-way (bid and offer) prices or one way (bid or offer)
prices from his or her customers. Traders show different prices because they
"read" the market differently; they have different expectations and
different interests. A broker who has more than one price on one or both sides
will automatically optimize the price. In other words, the broker will always
show the highest bid and the lowest offer. Therefore, the market has access to an
optimal spread possible. Fundamental and technical analyses are used for
forecasting the future direction of the currency. A trader might test the
market by hitting a bid for a small amount to see if there is any reaction.
Another advantage of the brokers' market is that brokers might provide a
broader selection of banks to their customers. Some European and Asian banks
have overnight desks so their orders are usually placed with brokers who can
deal with the American banks, adding to the liquidity of the market.
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