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Confessions of a Forex Trader – I HATE Changing Brokers

After yesterday’s SNB surprise monetary policy decision, major forex brokers around the world are having serious solvency issues. Unfortunately, bad trades coupled with 100:1 leverage became a recipe for disaster as client accounts went negative and now owe money that they probably can’t pay back. The largest and most well-known broker in the United States, $FXCM, is amongst this crowd and good for them. I have absolutely no love for $FXCM. While I don’t make broker recommendation, I discourage any trader who asks me about $FXCM from opening an account with them. I have firsthand experience and I know they are a piss poor operation.

brokerBut the hardest thing for a forex trader, besides trading strategy and consistent execution, is finding a good broker. A good broker is crucial for the success of all traders. I have had to do it 4 times in my 8 years trading forex. Knowing how hard it is, I decided to document my process the last time I switched brokers to help other traders find one that met their trading style criteria. In light of the eventual closing of some brokers due to the SNB surprise, I am reposting the article here in hopes of guiding traders to the decent forex brokers out there.

Again, I don’t make broker recommendations. Follow the process and do the work. You’ll be better for it. Please, also keep in mind that my decisions about a particular broker SHOULD NOT be your own. That’s not the point. You need to have a clear idea of what YOU need from a broker in order to be successful. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you. And, lastly, please don’t be offended if I didn’t like your broker. That’s not the point. It’s about the process in picking a broker that is right for YOU.

Disclaimer: The list of brokers below is 4 years old and some of them are no longer in operation. Good riddance to them too.

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I hate looking for a new broker. My word, it is exhausting. I remember my first broker experience and I remember reading Trading for a Living by Alexander Elder. Elder stresses that traders must control costs (one of the few factor we can control) and to change brokers if necessary to do so. Every trader is different so my main criteria for a broker is:

  • No slippage and if so, then be courteous enough to ask me if I want to continue on with a requoted price
  • No commission
  • Not a market maker
  • Offers GBP/USD, EUR/GBP AND GBP/AUD. I wanted to start trading the GBP/AUD but my former (and current) broker didn’t (don’t) offer it.

Spreads are not a huge deal for me. If you can deliver on the above, then I don’t mind paying for it (via higher spreads). Because trading with FXCM left me so scarred, I am very wary of the big bank market makers. However, with the new CFTC regulations, I can no longer rule them out as they will probably be the only ones left standing. Also, many smaller brokers are just introducing brokers to the market makers anyway so I may as well deal direct, if I must.

Day 1

My search started with a website that compares brokers. I found a great website in Forex Peace Army (FPA). You always have to take rating and reviews with a grain of salt and try to determine between real traders and the whiners. But it does help to have 2nd opinions as they certainly do help allay doubts and some uncertainties. Through this painstaking search I did find Zecco Forex (through the Google ad, I’ll admit lol). Since Stocktwits partners with Zecco and they met my above criteria, I decided to give their platform a try.

Days 2 & 3

After crawling FPA and checking out different brokers for a day, there had to be a better way. And there is now! I finally turned to Twitter. I have a wonderful crew of traders there so why not ask them? I did and got a slew of recommendations:

  • Advanced Markets
  • dbfx
  • Oanda
  • PFGBEST.com
  • MB Trading
  • Dukascopy
  • MIG Bank
  • InterbankFX
  • Interactive Brokers
  • thinkorswim
  • Forex.com
  • Saxo
  • twowayspreads.com
  • CitiFXPro

I traded with Forex.com early in my career – don’t like them. In my experience, they have a tendency to permanently widen your spreads once you are trading well. I have an account with InterbankFX already and not too crazy about MT4 (sorry folks). So that left me to judge the remaining brokers based on my criteria. (Most of the links are directly to the page that helped make my decision.)

  • Advanced Markets – They have commissions based on initial deposit (which is unfair in my opinion) and trading volume (which as a swing trader I won’t make the cut).
  • dbfx – Thanks to the reviews on FPA, it looks like dbfx works through FXCM. I LOOOATHE FXCM.
  • Oanda – They meet my criteria though they *may* be a market maker. And I can trade on the iPad?! Beautiful.
  • PFGBEST.com – I can’t find any information on their website about fees, spreads, or any other costs involved. That’s a big fail.
  • MB Trading – They have commissions. 4 different commissions to be exact. Too much nickel-and-diming for my taste.
  • Dukascopy – They have commissions based on initial deposit (which is unfair in my opinion) and trading volume (which as a swing trader I won’t make the cut).
  • MIG Bank – They have different leverage, margin requirements AND spreads based on your initial deposit. Too much differentiation for my liking.
  • Interactive Brokers – They charge a commission. But it seems fair so I am willing to give them a try. I’m not used to commissions in this market so I am biased against paying them. However, things are changing with the new CFTC regulations so maybe it’s an idea I should get used to. Plus, after researching so many brokers, it seems that commissions may actually be to my benefit.
  • thinkorswim – My equity trading friend complained about this platform just last week. Plus, I don’t understand their commission structure – too complicated.
  • Saxo – They have a required distance on your stops. Not too crucial for me, as I am not a scalper, but 25 pips minimum stop on my favorite pair is kind of a deal breaker for me.
  • twowayspreads.com – I just don’t get it. Are they a broker or a rebate program? Believe it or not, there are forex rebate programs out there. And I’m not going to figure it out with my money.
  • CitiFXPro – I researched them a couple years ago. I consider them a market maker. Plus, I wouldn’t bank with Citibank. There is no way I’ll trade with them.

Day 4

Having whittled away at this list, I tried out the platforms of those left standing via a demo account with each broker.

  • Interactive Brokers – YIKES! Where are the charts? So confusing as the platform allows one to trade stocks, futures, options. Too many options (no pun intended) for this simple forex girl.
  • Oanda – I like the platform. Not thrilled with the chart tools but I think I can work with it.
  • Zecco Forex – I love the access to all the different gold charts! Gold/EUR, Gold/GBP!!! That’s about it though. The charting tools here are even worse than Oanda. Plus, they are powered by Forex.com. But the gold charts do keep them in the running.

I plan on trying out these platforms for all of this week but I think I have made a decision.

Conclusion

I like things simple just like in my trading. When it starts to get complicated, whether it was the platform or the fees schedule, I bail. I will miss MGForex. Only time will tell if I made a good choice. If not, I will give Saxo and Advanced Markets another look. I’m not afraid to change brokers even if it is a painful process. As a trader, neither should you.

 

Originally posted on faithmight.com on September 13, 2010.

Read also:

SNB Rocks The Whole World (FaithMightFX)

Numerous FX Brokers Shutter After Suffering “Significant Losses” Following SNB Stunner (Zero Hedge)

 

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SNB Rocks The Whole World

The markets have been ROCKED this morning as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) just announced that they have abandoned the Swiss peg. After 2 years of active intervention in the currency market to hold the $EURCHF at 1.2000, with today’s announcement the SNB has effectively exited the forex markets. This is their 1st monetary policy announcement of 2015 and, while the rate announcement was scheduled, their decision was a major surprise.

The reaction from traders as the decision came down:

And the effect on the CHF pairs has been EPIC.

USDCHF 1 hour chart today

EURCHF 1 hour chart today

GBPCHF 1 hour chart today

The SNB also cut interest rates today to -0.75%. With the abandonment of the currency peg, this interest rate cut was absolutely necessary. The CHF has long been a safe haven currency. Switzerland is considered a financial haven and tax shelter for the ultra-wealthy and has a relatively robust economy. During times of uncertainty, market participants buy Swiss francs. So when the financial crisis hit in 2008, the CHF and USD both strengthened considerably. But a strong currency is a stranglehold on the local economy as it dampens exports demand in the face of muted local consumer demand in 2008. The Federal Reserve enacted quantitative easing in response. The SNB combated the markets with a currency peg. With the peg now gone, the SNB understandably hopes that negative interest rates will dissuade the market from buying francs. However, uncertainty abounds, given the epic moves we are experiencing in the commodities markets, and I doubt even negative interest rates will stem the tide of CHF buyers now coming back into the market.

With the European Central Bank (ECB) due to announce their decision on monetary policy next week, “interesting” doesn’t even begin to describe the forex markets at this point. Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face. Stay nimble traders.

Read also:

You’ll Never Beat Them. Join Them! (FaithMightFX)

Swiss National Bank discontinues minimum exchange rate and lowers interest rate to –0.75% (Swiss National Bank)

UPDATE: The article was updated to reflect the interest rate cut decision.

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You’ll Never Beat Them. Join Them!

It is well known that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has been intervening in the currency market to keep the $EURCHF exchange rate pegged at 1.2000. The SNB is not at all willing to allow their currency to appreciate since the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The CHF, once considered a safe haven currency, had always rallied in the wake of increased risk aversion in the markets. As such, the strong currency dampened Swiss exports and forced the central bank to keep interest rates low. However, that did not dampen investors flight to the perceived safety of the CHF. Therefore in 2012, the SNB actively stepped into the currency markets to stem the appreciation of its currency.

As the financial markets recovered, risk appetite returned sending the CHF lower. During the 2013 rally in sterling, the $GBPCHF enjoyed a move higher to 1.5534. What is interesting, however, is the lack of downside the $GBPCHF has experienced in the wake of recent GBP weakness.

GBPCHF daily chart on Jan 11 2015

The daily chart has been trapped in a large range between 1.5000 and 1.5500. This has led me to believe that the SNB must also be intervening in the $GBPCHF albeit to a lesser degree than in the $EURCHF. We can see the bullish RSI is an indication of the strong buying interest even after the top of the range was touched and held as resistance. Remaining true it its range, price moved lower but found support mid-range at 1.5250. Without reaching the bottom of the range, the $GBPCHF looks poised to move back to the range top at 1.5500.

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My Appearance on FXStreet’s Live Analysis Room

I was thrilled to be back in the #FXRoom with Dale Pinkert yesterday. He brought me in to talk all things GBP covering $GBPUSD, $GBPJPY, $GBPAUD, $GBPCAD. But he also gave me some nuggets of wisdom on the EUR via the $EURUSD giving some confirmation on the $EURGBP. The show unexpectedly became a golden example of how traders come together with different perspectives and expertises to edify one another.

I also give a sneak peek to a new service I am launching very soon. Watch out for it!

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Yen Positioning for the New Year

After finding support at 181.41, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, the $GBPJPY was able to stage a rally back to the 187.50 highs. However, the rally petered out before it could make a high higher than the previous 189.69 high. This leaves the bias to the downside for price action coming into this trading week. As such, price has moved lower to close last week at 184.63.

GBPJPY daily chart Jan 4 2015

With the RSI already printing a new low on Friday’s price action, price has bias to move lower still. Given that the 38.2% Fibonacci support resulted in a failed new high, I expect that the $GBPJPY make a move into the 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci levels.

However, the 181.00 support level is very formidable. If we look at the bigger timeframes, we can see that 181.00 has maintained support for price even with several false breakdowns when price trades at these current levels. Now that price has moved lower this week, 181.00 is the level to watch.

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The Battle for Weakness

The $EURGBP broke to marginally new lows in last week’s trading. Only slightly new, by 22 pips, but new lows nonetheless. The EUR collapsed against all currencies because European Central Bank Governor Mario Draghi continued to deliver dovish rhetoric last week. So on the back of his comments, the $EURGBP fell down to the long-term support at 0.7750.

The $EURGBP had been rangebound for months heading into the new year between 0.8050 and 0.7750. Upon pressing into new lows last week, we note that the RSI on the daily chart put in a higher low. In fact, this bullish divergence on the RSI is even more pronounced on the weekly chart.

EURGBP weekly chart as of Jan 4 2015

The RSI is very suggestive of bullish price action. However, the bulls cannot get too excited. Because also on the weekly chart is a candlestick candle of indecision. For when you see that the $EURUSD has fallen to multi-year lows, it stands to reason that the $EURGBP should have broken this long-term support level quite handedly. However, what we see is that GBP weakness overtook this pair as buyers stepped in at the support level. So given what we see on the weekly chart with this false breakdown coupled with the bullish divergence in the RSI, the prudent action may be to set up at the lows for a move higher especially as we see continued weakness in the $GBPUSD.

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GBP Weakness Just Getting Started in 2015

Happy new year! And it certainly has been a good one so far for GBP bears. On the last trading day of 2014 (December 31) and the 1st trading day of 2015 (January 2), the $GBPUSD completely broke down. Economic data out of the United Kingdom has done a complete turnaround from the economic data of 2013. Friday’s manufacturing data missed and sterling broke support nearly across the board. The weakness continued this week with a miss in both construction and services PMI. Both releases are sending sterling lower still against every major currency.

GBPUSD daily chart on Sunday Jan 4

Until Friday’s breakdown, the limited downside was very restricted by the bullish diverging RSI that had been developing since September. But price didn’t care at all about the diminishing selling momentum as $GBPUSD continued to probe new lows. Now that price has broken down again to new lows, we see that momentum is finally following suit. The momentum of Friday’s price action has broken the bullish trendline on the RSI. This break lower in the RSI suggests that $GBPUSD will continue to fall lower. But remember that nothing moves in a straight line. A bounce is very possible as price heads into 1.5150, 1.5100 and 1.5000 support levels. Trade what you see.

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Don’t Trade Against The Central Bank

The Bank of Japan has its massive QE program well underway after announcing it almost 4 weeks ago. The central bank has committed to massively supporting its economy and markets to the decline of the JPY. With little reprieve in sight, many expect the short JPY trade to work for weeks to come.

GBPJPY daily chart

While it looks like the beginnings of a breakout as price break the top of the range at 186, the RSI is telling quite another story. This bearish divergence in the RSI relative to price gives the bull in me pause. Perhaps there is another correction lower still left in the GBP/JPY. The timing for such a correction couldn’t be better with an expected dovish outcome from the BoE this week.

Given the highs and the bearish diverging RSI readings, no new buys should be initiated at these price levels. While it is a tempting short at these resistance levels, we will not trade against the Bank of Japan regardless of the charts. Instead, the higher probability play is to set up to go long on a pullback. A close above 186.00, however, is also a signal to initiate long positions if we don’t get a move into support from here.

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GBP/NZD Sets Up

The GBP/NZD opened the week very bullish as signaled by its close above 1.9750. The rally this week has already recovered all of last week’s losses. However, the GBP remains a sell as the rally this week has been capped at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracment level.

GBPNZD DAILY CHART

 

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