Thursday, 12 April 2012

Trading With An Expert Advisor?

"...a program coded in MQL4; it is distinguished by the properties of special function start() called by the client terminal to be executed on every tick; the main purpose of Expert Advisors is programmed control over trades" (source: MetaQuotes Software Corp)
In other words, it is programmable trading. To me, it is robotic trading and that to me, sounds pretty cool.
To use a trading EA is like hiring someone to trade for you. You teach him or her the rules of the system and they will place the trades for you. Emotions which could otherwise jeopardize your system will not be involved (it is the "company's" money anyway) and they do not require toilet or lunch breaks. How cool is that? Of course I am not saying that we should all go out and buy a trading EA and expect to be millionaires overnight. What I am saying is that, trading EAs may help offer you a solution if you are someone who:
1) cannot be disciplined enough to stick to your trading rules
2) enjoys making money while asleep, shopping or watching a movie
3) is simply lazy
I listed the above because I fall into all three of them.
But as I mentioned earlier, trading EAs are not all about glorious trading. There are times that we may have to intervene and override a trade manually. Just like how a boss may react when an employee does something that is not turning out well despite having obeyed all the rules of the system, we may find ourselves pressing the buttons manually when we watch a trade head towards the direction of a sandstorm.
Bear in mind that it is also good to conduct periodic spot-checks on your trading EA just like how a boss would do so in an office. This is to ensure that the system is working well (e.g. no bugs) and configured according to the current market sentiment. Trading EAs can work with or AGAINST you if you do not set it up right. The best way to approach a trading EA in my opinion is to study and understand its core principles first. It is only when we have a proper understanding then we may proceed further to tweak its parameters to suit our respective trading styles. Be warned that if you do not do so, frustrations will set in should your EA take a string of losses (remember that EAs are not perfect!).
To conclude, there are tons of EAs out there in the market. Do extensive research to find out which one works best for you. If possible, do some manual testing beforehand to get a better understanding of its concepts before deciding to purchase or program one. And remember, do not trade it "live" until you have done adequate testing on a demo account.

Forex Trading Solution - How To Find A Solution For All Of Your Forex Needs

If you search for a forex trading solution, you will most likely find that a list of trading company offering guidance, help and a free download are returned on your web browser. This gives a false impression of what is needed in order to offer an effective forex trading solution for beginners wanting to dabble in the market. A good forex trading solution will offer you the full package and cater for all needs, hence why it is called a solution.
It can be difficult to find a viable forex trading solution, but not necessarily if you know where to look. Or should that be who to go to for advice? The three individuals below would be able to help you find the forex trading solution to cater for all of your needs!
The trading company - A trading company will no doubt bill itself as a forex trading solution on the Internet and in advertisements. However, you should ask around to see just how much of a solution they actually offer to your queries and problems. A trading company will usually provide a comprehensive service for both beginners and experts alike, from software to customer service, but will often lack personal contact with a broker or advisor should there be any problems. Although a forex trading solution here will designate your account to someone specific, you may deal with several individuals. A little background research is often required to ascertain just how many of your needs a company an fulfill. Look on the website, call them to ask questions and view their feedback before choosing a forex trading solution.
The independent broker - An independent broker gives you personal service and a viable forex trading solution that is within his or her expertise. It is more difficult to find independent brokers because they are often not as publicized as a trading company. However, if you do find one, you can often consult with them and ask all of the questions you may have before signing with them. This may give you more peace of mind. However, it will also be harder to find feedback about them. They also may not offer a completely comprehensive forex trading solution if they lack their own software.
The independent financial advisor - An independent financial advisor will not be able to offer a forex trading solution him or herself, but he or she will be able to refer you on to someone who can. An independent financial advisor is a useful resource for anyone looking for a forex trading solution because of the lack of personal interest. If you are looking to invest or paying him or her for a consultation then you will no doubt be referred on to the best forex trading solution for you.