FXCM Research Team

The stock market has offered investors compelling returns over the years, but those rewards are certainly not without risks. Investors can potentially benefit greatly from trading stocks, but you need to research this particular market thoroughly before getting started. No investment comes without risk, and the stock market is known for being volatile. Anyone who is not familiar with this volatility only needs to study famous market crashes, like those…

The global equities markets are opportune environments for active traders and investors alike. Whether you're building a retirement portfolio or pursuing profitability from speculative endeavours, online stock trading could be a viable way of achieving any number of financial objectives. Fortunately for aspiring stock traders, getting started in the markets isn't all too difficult. In fact, it is possible to begin your journey into the marketplace by completing five basic…

In the aftermath of the June 2016 vote for Brexit, several issues became points of contention regarding the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. Monetary settlements, immigration policies and the future of trade relations spearheaded negotiations during an extended transition period. In addition to these concerns was the Irish border, what it was to become and how it was going to impact the U.K.-EU relationship moving forward. Throughout the…

The Futures Industry Association (FIA) is a leading authority on the global derivatives industry. Headquartered in Singapore, Brussels, London and Washington D.C., the FIA is an advisory body to the world's futures and options market participants. Operating as a network of clearinghouses, exchanges and trading firms, the FIA aims to satisfy its self-stated, multifaceted mission: Support market transparency, competition and open accessibility Preserve the integrity of the financial system Promote…

What Is Contribution Margin? Contribution margin is a business accounting term that measures the difference between sales revenue and the variable costs to produce or sell a product. It shows the amount of profitability a company would achieve once it covers its fixed costs, i.e., its breakeven point. A company's fixed costs remain basically the same whether it makes or sells one unit or thousands. The most common fixed costs…

Knowledgeable investors can generate returns regardless of whether the markets are trending upwards, downwards or sideways. Making money during bullish conditions may be one of the the easiest method, as a rising tide lifts all boats. Downward trending markets also provide potential opportunities. Producing returns during sideways or "flat" markets may be the most challenging option, but there are several strategies investors can use to achieve this objective. This article…

For active currency traders, market volatility presents a vast array of opportunities and challenges. Fluctuations in the exchange rates of forex pairs can occur rapidly and seemingly out of nowhere. If not consistently put into a manageable context, turbulent price action can prove detrimental to a trader's chances of sustaining long-run profitability. Standard deviation is one mechanism used by forex market participants to identify normal and abnormal moves in pricing.…

The Sterling ratio is an risk-adjusted investment performance measure. Similar to the Sharpe and Sortino ratios, the Sterling ratio is used to define how efficiently risk capital is being allocated. It is frequently implemented by individual investors and hedge funds in the arena of portfolio management. What Is The Sterling Ratio? In practice, the Sterling ratio quantifies investment performance by comparing periodic returns to periodic drawdowns. The unique aspect of…

What Is Crypto Custody? Digital currency traders can benefit from knowing the options they have for custodying cryptocurrencies. While many assets can only be held indirectly, investors can have direct custody of their cryptocurrencies. This feature sets them apart from other asset classes like stocks and bonds. This article provides a breakdown of the different custody methods in addition to their individual costs and benefits. Indirect Ownership Indirect ownership takes…

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is the largest issuer of bonds in the world. It issues debt securities in order to fund the activities of the U.S. government, which generally runs high budget deficits. As of 31 December 2018, the U.S. federal debt totaled slightly below US$22 trillion. Of that amount, $16.1 trillion was held by the public and $5.9 trillion was held by other entities of the federal…

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is an official provider of energy-related data and analytics. Initially created by the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, the EIA specializes in the collection, analysis and dissemination of energy industry data at the federal level. Producers, traders and government officials view the EIA as a leading authority on the current state of global energy. Mission And Products Dating back to the oil crises…