Foreign Exchange (FOREX) is the arena where a nation's currency is exchanged for that of another. The foreign exchange market is the largest financial market in the world, with the equivalent of over $2.9 trillion changing hands daily; more than three times the aggregate amount of the US Equity and Treasury markets combined. Unlike other financial markets, the Forex market has no physical location and no central exchange (off-exchange). It operates through a global network of banks, corporations and individuals trading one currency for another. The lack of a physical exchange enables the Forex market to operate on a 24-hour basis, spanning from one zone to another in all the major financial centers.
What makes the market move?
Among the main factors influencing currency exchange rates there are balance of mutual payments, economic condition, forecasts based on technical analysis graphs, as well as political and psychological factors.
The movement of capital between countries can be considered as the main factor determining the current state of the market. Besides, such factors as inflation and discount rates can also considerably influence currency exchange rates. At the same time, there is no doubt that another important fact is that there is always a ceratin state behind each currency.
There are two ways states can control the market. The first one is just control and the second one is the so-called intervention. Currency control prevents citizens from doing anything that can have a negative influence on the exchange rate (for example, transferring money abroad). In the first place, intervention means changing the discount rate, which makes the currency more or less attractive for foreigners. And second, it means selling or buying the currency in order to increase or reduce its cost on the market.
