In this constantly updating world, everyone wants to have financial stability. Individuals choose various investment forms per their specific requirements and financial goals. Equity markets are quite a popular avenue for earning good money, and in it there are two widely preferred prominent options, i.e., Forex Trading and Stock Market Trading.
Each of these has its potential benefits and substantial risks associated. If you have also considered starting an investment for yourself, you are at the right place. Here, we will discuss all forex trading and stock market trading – the benefits and drawbacks of each. Let’s start.
Forex Trading: Everything You Need to Know
Forex Exchange Trading, which is popular by its name, is associated with buying and selling currency and profiting from this process when exchange rate fluctuations occur.
To trade various currencies, various banks, brokers, financial institutions, and even individual traders are associated. The Forex market is an OTC – over the counter and a decentralized market. This works 24 hours a day throughout five working days. Various currency pairs for trading include EUR/ USD, GBP/ USD, etc.
For investors who look forward to short-term opportunities to make profits, this would be the perfectly suited way of investment. Due to the high liquidity and volatility associated with Forex trading, the trading is done in huge amounts, making this kind of trading one of the most popular.
Benefits of Forex Trading:
Numerous Opportunities: As we discussed, Forex trading mainly benefits from currency pairs. So many kinds of currencies present vast opportunities to choose from and continue trading more beneficially.
Margin Ratios: With considerable leverage associated with Forex trading, Forex brokers tend to gain higher profits. Still, there always is a risk factor associated; hence trade carefully.
Higher Volumes: Approximate daily trading volume is around $6 trillion, making it highly liquid, which ensures Forex traders can trade through lesser price fluctuations and gain higher profits.
Drawbacks of Forex Trading:
Numbers of Factors Associated: Numerous economic indicators might be associated with exchange rates, including global market sentiments, central bank policies, current geopolitical events, and more – which might indirectly affect the exchange rates.
Higher Risk: It’s an unsaid rule – the risks are even higher when higher profits exist. With Forex trading, there is volatility followed by leverage, which can cause significant losses if investors make uninformed decisions.
Affected by Economic Events: When dominant events such as elections or trade disputes occur, it might rapidly shift the exchange rates, and due to sudden unexpected fluctuations, traders might be caught off guard and resulting in greater losses.
Stock Market Trading: Everything There is to Know
Stock Market, sometimes called Equity Trading, means buying and selling shares of various publicly traded companies throughout different stock exchanges. One can say that the Stock Market is a centralized marketplace for investors to buy and sell various shares as they see fit and make profits while doing so.
When they have bought a certain company’s shares, they indirectly become partial owners of that company, and it sometimes might also result in getting entitlement to receive dividends and voting rights for certain company-wide decisions to be made.
So let’s say you bought some shares of a specific company, and if that company does well, the shares you have – their value will go significantly higher. But on the other hand, if the company performs poorly or there are any negative factors or incidents – then it is more likely that the share values of that company will go lower, resulting in losses of your investment.
To perform stock market trading there are various ways to get started. Individuals can start by themselves or hire brokers or banks per the specific requirements. On buying up-and-coming company shares, you will make profits. On the contrary, if the shares you bought and predicted that the company would perform better don’t go as predicted, you might lose money.
There are various stock exchanges, such as NASDAQ and NYSE – New York Stock Exchange in the USA, and the NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) in India where most stock market trading is carried out per various stocks and shares.
Benefits of Stock Market Trading
Higher Return Potential: When your trading predictions turn out right, they yield significantly higher returns. Not just that, while you own shares of any company – that makes you a part of that company too.
Potential Dividends: When companies make profits, they share dividends with their shareholders, which can be a steady income source if you hold on to the shares you purchased for a longer duration.
Long-Term Growth: Over the years, the Stock Market has shown consistent growth over the long term and potentially higher benefits to the investors.
Wide Range to Choose From: Traders can choose from a wide range of listed companies and get started; the possibilities are endless.
Anyone Can Do It: Novice traders can get started with fewer predictions and learn on their own by understanding market trends and growth with time. So, one doesn’t always need to be a big expert to start Stock market trading. The learning curve is not that steep and you have better options like becoming a sub-broker where you manage money for your clients and earn huge commissions without making any significant investments. Check out this form and we’ll send in some free resource material to help you with this.
Drawbacks of Stock Market Trading:
Volatility and Losses: Depending on various economic conditions, market sentiments, or even company-centered events, certain company stock prices might fluctuate without prior notice and might result in greater losses.
Trading Limitations: Unlike the Forex market, the Stock market works on specific business hours only with respect to the stock exchange working timings.
Comparatively Lower Gains: Compared to Forex trading, Stock market trading might not be as beneficial due to the lower leveraging. However, it also depends upon the risk-taking ability and the expertise of the trader/investor.
Things to Consider Before Choosing: Forex Trading vs. Stock Market Trading
Operating Hours:
Forex market works 24 hours daily and 5 days a week according to the global time zone. On the other hand, the Stock market only operates during business hours per a specific country’s time zone. This may or may not be a huge setback for most people, however, 24 hours trading offers a wider runway for managing profits/losses.
Nature of Assets:
Stock market trading is associated with buying and selling or even holding on to shares of publicly listed companies, whereas Forex trading is associated with buying and selling currency pairs. Dividends are also not common in forex trading, which can also be a setback for people wanting to earn extra money while their investment grows.
Factors Associated:
A wide range of economic and global events might influence Forex trading. In contrast, Stock market trading depends more on how a specific company performs through various financial aspects and industry-specific trends. So eventually, stock market trading is slightly more predictable and easier to track according to the condition of your country.
Liquid and Volume Ratio:
Because there is a constant flow of various currencies across the globe, Forex trading tends to have higher liquidity and trade volumes. Stock market liquidity and volume depend on the size of stocks available and the company’s popularity and financial factors.
What should you choose?
The answer to this question depends on the individuals, their financial plans, and their goals. Those who look forward to higher returns will undoubtedly have to take on higher risks, and if so, Forex trading would be more suited for them. For individuals with a more conservative approach towards things and taking lower risks and playing safe, then the Stock market would be more of their cup of tea.
Ending Note
Both Forex trading, as well as Stock market trading, is associated with significant risks and complex returns. Choose the one which describes you best, depending on your mindset and approach to handling specific circumstances. To gain more insights and have deep knowledge of any of these, one can consult an experienced financial advisor or take a good stock market learning course.
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