Once your investment feet get wet with securities, it won’t be long before you start thinking of using other profitability tools. The forex (foreign exchange) market and the options market are your next logical steps. We will go over the fundamental difference between a currency (forex) and a securities derivative (options). We’ll also discuss how these different instruments are very similar in practical use.
Similarities Between Options Trading and Forex Trading
Before moving into how forex and options trading are different, it’s important to note how they are similar. The basic rules of trading — supply and demand and news absorption — apply to both markets. Understanding these rules and how they apply to all markets is essential to investment success.
To keep things simple here, we will assume that we are comparing the options markets within major trading indices (the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average or NASDAQ) to forex trading. We discuss how things can get complicated a little later.
Leverage
If you have a leveraged account, you can own more assets in that account than your money would normally buy. Brokers give leverage just like banks give loans. With the proper setup, you can purchase forex currency pairs or options contracts on margin, meaning that you are using leverage.
Forex brokers offer more leverage on trades. Depending on the broker you choose, you may be able to open an order at 1,000 times your own capital, for example, trading $1,000 worth of currency for every $1 you hold in your forex account. No reputable options broker will ever have leverage this high but you must consider that options itself is leverage. Every options contract that you purchase, whether call or put, represents 100 shares of the underlying stock.
Accessibility
Modern brokerages make it incredibly easy to trade the exact financial instrument you want. (We have a list of brokerages that you can use to trade forex and options, and you can read this FOREX.com Review for a good introduction to the most well-known forex broker in the world.) This is in stark contrast to previous generations of investors who were often limited in their choice of instruments.
You may run across opinions that advise you against forex or options because of the difficulty in accessing one instrument over the other. Check the timing and the veracity of the sources — you may be dealing with out-of-date information that bleeds over into dated investment advice.
Regulation
Both forex and options trading invoke regulations to limit the potential risk investors take on. These regulations may come from different places but they all serve the purpose of protecting traders from taking unmanageable risk. If you plan on trading forex, you should get used to putting a stop-loss in with your buy orders. Many brokers will not allow you to execute an order without a stop loss.
By law, trading options on a U.S.-based brokerage requires that you self-assert your level of trading expertise and net worth, among other financial information. Depending on the answers you give, that brokerage will assign you an options level. Brokerages may not check this information, but it doesn’t help you to lie. Higher options levels expose you to more trading tools but also bigger risk that you may not be prepared to take on.
Differences Between Options Trading and Forex Trading
As you might assume, there are also some major differences between options and forex. Below are 3 of the biggest that should help you determine which investment tool is right for you.
Asset Type
Forex market investors trade currency pairs, which are assets that you own directly. This is known as spot trading. When you trade options, you are trading a contract on an asset. Options are known as asset derivatives. As such, you can actually trade options on forex currency pairs. Options have characteristics that assets do not have and may be used in sophisticated trades that play the buy and sell side at once. Options can also lose money more quickly than assets.
24-Hour Trading
The options market is open only during the normal market hours of Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. The forex market is open 24 hours per day even for forex beginners. During dead hours, the prices of options “freeze” even though news may be coming in that changes the market.
At the start of the new trading day, investors may experience a sudden jump in price (up or down) as the market responds to the new information. This phenomenon can cause options to completely jump over automated stops (orders you pre-fill based on certain conditions and entrust an algorithm to execute). Before committing to an options trade, you must be sure that you are prepared for these possible jumps at the start of trading.
Forex markets can experience jumps over the weekend, as the majority of forex brokers are closed on Saturday and Sunday. News will continue to flow and may cause price gaps on the following Monday. The 24-hour trading schedule of forex usually keeps huge price gaps from occurring on weekdays, although it can occur.
Volatility/Liquidity
The forex market is the most liquid market in the world. Liquidity means that trading is easy. Forex’s liquidity attracts mainstream investors who are looking for efficient, stable markets, and as a result, also makes forex the biggest market in the world.
The contrast with the options market is stark. Depending on the options you choose, you could be trading against only a few people across the entire world. Liquidity in this case is objectively lower and price becomes more volatile.
Pros and Cons of Options Trading
There are some other advantages and disadvantages to options trading based on the differences between the asset types.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Automatic leverageCan create nondirectional and hedging strategiesPotentially higher ROI than trading underlying assets directlyLess capital required to control more assets | Not all losses tax deductibleRelatively low liquidityHigher barriers to entryFixed fees for trading |
Pros and Cons of Forex Trading
Here are a few additional points you should consider before diving into currency trading with forex.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less susceptible to volatility shocksHighest liquidity of any financial marketInvestors protected against fraud and theft of funds through KYC standardsDefault risk limitersNo middleman fees | Less volatility means less short-term growth potentialSusceptible to unexpected political eventsGains easily tracked and taxedTemptation of extremely high leverage |
Best Brokers for Forex Trading
You must do business with reputable forex platforms to take full advantage of the market’s strengths. Consider the following list:
FOREX.com
Commissions
Spreads start as low as $1 But vary based on trading volume
Account Min
$250
Commissions
Spreads start as low as $1 But vary based on trading volume
Account Min
$2501 Minute Review
FOREX.com is a one-stop-shop for forex traders. With a massive range of tradable currencies, low account minimums and an impressive trading platform, FOREX.com is an excellent choice for brokers searching for a home base for their currency trading. New traders and seasoned veterans alike will love FOREX.com’s extensive education and research center that provides free, informative forex trading courses at multiple skill levels. While FOREX.com is impressive, remember that it isn’t a standard broker. You can’t invest in the stock or bond market through your FOREX.com and you cannot open an account with tax advantages. The confusing pricing and margin structures may also be overwhelming for new forex traders.
Best For
- Forex traders located in the United States
- MetaTrader 4 users
- Beginner forex traders
- Active forex traders
Pros
- Impressive, easy-to-navigate platform
- Wide range of education and research tools
- Access to over 80 currencies to buy and sell
- Leverage available up to 50:1
Cons
- Cannot buy and sell other securities (like stocks and bonds)
- Confusing margin requirements that vary by currency
- Limited customer support options
- Cannot open an IRA or other retirement account
IG Group
Commissions
$10 value per pip
Account Min
$0
Commissions
$10 value per pip
Account Min
$01 Minute Review
IG is a comprehensive forex broker that offers full access to the currency market and support for over 80 currency pairs. The broker only offers forex trading to its U.S.-based customers, the brokerage does it spectacularly well. Novice traders will love IG’s intuitive mobile and desktop platforms, while advanced traders will revel in the platform’s selection of indicators and charting tools. Though IG could work on its customer service and fees, the broker is an asset to new forex traders and those who prefer a more streamlined interface.
Best For
- New forex traders who are still learning the ropes
- Traders who prefer a simple, clean interface
- Forex traders who trade primarily on a tablet
Pros
- Easy-to-navigate platform is easy for beginners to master
- Mobile and tablet platforms offer full functionality of the desktop version
- Margin rates are easy to understand and affordable
- Access to over 80 currency pairs
Cons
- U.S. traders can currently only trade forex
- Customer service options are lacking
- No 2-factor authentication on mobile
eToro
Commissions
0.09% spread cost
Account Min
$50
Commissions
0.09% spread cost
Account Min
$501 Minute Review
Best Brokers for Options Trading
If you’re trading options seriously, your options broker will definitely influence your chances of success in the market. You may want to test the following brokers to see which one best fits you:
Webull
Commissions
Free
Account Min
$0
Commissions
Free
Account Min
$01 Minute Review
TD Ameritrade
Commissions
$0 $6.95 for OTC Stocks
Account Min
$0
Commissions
$0 $6.95 for OTC Stocks
Account Min
$01 Minute Review
This publicly listed discount broker, which is in existence for over four decades, is service-intensive, offering intuitive and powerful investment tools. Especially, with equity investing, a flat fee is charged, with the firm claiming that it charges no trade minimum, no data fees, and no platform fees. Though it is pricier than many other discount brokers, what tilts the scales in its favor is its well-rounded service offerings and the quality and value it offers its clients.
Best For
- Novice investors
- Retirement savers
- Day traders
Pros
- World-class trading platforms
- Detailed research reports and Education Center
- Assets ranging from stocks and ETFs to derivatives like futures and options
Cons
- Thinkorswim can be overwhelming to inexperienced traders
- Derivatives trading more costly than some competitors
- Expensive margin rates
Tastyworks
Commissions
$0 flat rate, includes closing costs
Account Min
$0
Commissions
$0 flat rate, includes closing costs
Account Min
$01 Minute Review
Tastyworks is a sophisticated options and futures broker aimed toward experienced traders. The platform was designed by the founders of thinkorswim with functionality and precision for complicated options trades and strategies. Tastyworks offers stocks and ETFs to trade too, but the main focus is options.
Options on tastyworks are only charged a 1-way, $1 commission — far cheaper than almost all competitors. Commissions on futures and micro futures are also affordable, and there’s no minimum required to open a cash account. It’s $2,000 if you want to use margin.
Best For
- Options traders
- Futures traders
- Advanced traders
Pros
- Powerful platform inspired by thinkorswim
- Multiple order types and strategies
- Cheap options commissions
Cons
- Advanced platform could intimidate new traders
- No demo or paper trading
Currency or Derivatives?
Forex currency pairs and derivative options are two different asset classes, which naturally produce different strategies for success. When you are deciding the next market to take on, consider your own personality and investment goals before committing to one or the other. If you have more than $30,000 and you are willing to forego some short-term growth for a smoother experience, the forex market may be your play. If you have less money, need built-in leverage and don’t mind a bit of volatility, then options could work for you. As always, never invest money that you are not willing to lose — both of these markets and asset types carry risk.
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2020-05-27 20:06:15Z
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