CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing all your money. Read our full Risk Warning.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Start Forex Day Trading Today: 5 Points for Beginners

Filip Dimkovski - Writer for Fortrade
By Filip Dimkovski
Joel Taylor - Editor for Fortrade
Edited by Joel Taylor

Updated April 2, 2024.

A businessman working on a laptop with coins next to it and chart illustrations above

Day trading refers to a style of trading where the trader buys and sells a financial instrument within the same day, or even multiple times a day. With the right strategy and knowledge, you can trade with the small price movements in the currency exchange market to earn a potential profit. However, it takes a lot of practice and dedication to learn about trading forex, so beginners need to understand what they're getting into before starting.

In this article, we'll discuss five insider information to help beginners start their journey in day trading forex.

» Not sure where to start? For forex beginners, a part of research is knowing some basic forex terms

1. Open an Account With a Reliable Brokerage

Finding a reliable brokerage is key to having a safe trading journey. Some things to keep in mind are:

  • A reputable forex brokerage should be registered with the appropriate regulatory body in the trader's respective country and adhere to the industry's best policies and practices.
  • The brokerage of your choice should offer competitive spreads, low commissions and fees, fast execution speeds, as well as excellent customer service.

Unfortunately, there are too many brokerages looking to take advantage of inexperienced traders, so make sure to ask the right questions before making any decisions.



2. Set Aside Funds You Can Afford to Lose

Before you start trading, it is important to understand how much capital you can realistically afford to risk. Almost all traders say that you should never trade more than you can afford to lose. So, beginners should start small and gradually increase their trading capital as they gain experience.

Typically, successful day traders commit no more than 1-2% of their account's balance per trade. Additionally, it is wise to earmark a surplus amount of funds that can be used solely for trading purposes and ensure that you are prepared for any potential losses.

This way, even if your trades go in the wrong direction or don't turn out as well as you expected, you won't be risking your savings or other investments.

3. Stay Informed

Even though it's often overlooked, it's quite beneficial for day traders to stay informed about the markets and stocks CFDs they are trading. This includes keeping up with the latest stock market news, such as changes in Federal Reserve interest rate plans, leading indicator announcements, and other financial news.

Additionally, it is beneficial to make a list of stocks CFDs you would like to trade and keep yourself informed about these companies' stocks and associated markets. This can be as easy as setting up regular notifications for relevant market changes.

» Need more help with forex trading? Check out our trading courses for beginners

4. Be Realistic With Your Strategies

Day traders should be realistic when formulating their strategies, as having too high expectations can only lead to disappointment. Namely, strategies do not need to succeed every time to be potentially profitable, and day traders could make potential profits.

Furthermore, it is important to ensure the financial risk on each trade is limited to a specific percentage of the account and that entry and exit methods are clearly defined. By being realistic with their strategies, day traders can better manage risk while improving their chances of achieving long-term success.

» Ready to start? Learn more about opening an account with Fortrade

Forex Day Trading Strategies

Day traders can use a variety of strategies to make potentially profitable trades in the forex market. Some of the most popular strategies include trend trading, scalping, and news trading:

  • Trend trading is based on the idea that markets are affected by current trends and likely to continue following those trends until they change direction.
  • Scalping involves entering and exiting multiple positions quickly and adjusting the position size to toward potential profits.
  • Finally, news trading is based on identifying news events that are likely to affect the market and making trades accordingly.

Other popular strategies widely used by forex traders include price action trading, range trading, and momentum trading. All in all, day traders should experiment with different strategies before deciding which one works best for them.

  • Best Platforms—Utilize the power of MetaTrader4 and ProTrader
  • Practice Trading Risk-Free—use virtual money on our demo account
  • Customer Support—Consult with our experienced account managers


5. Follow the Strategy

Once you have established a concise strategy that works for you, it is important to stick to it. Traders do not need to think on their feet or make decisions quickly, as they already have a specific trading strategy in place.

It is essential to follow the strategy closely rather than try to chase potential profits or abandon the strategy when things don't go as expected. Doing so can help you be potentially successful in the long run.» Looking for a good trading platform? See if MetaTrader 4 might be a good fit

Final Thoughts

Day trading in the forex market can be quite a lucrative and exciting way to potentially make a profit, but only if it's done right. With careful strategizing, research, and discipline, any day trader can take advantage of the potential profits available on the currency exchange markets and increase their chances of achieving long-term success. But always keep in mind that there is risk involved