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Forex Assets

Trading Costs Involved While Trading The EUR/SGD Exotic pair

Introduction

EUR/SGD is the abbreviation for the Euro area’s euro against the Singapore Dollar. This is one of the most traded exotic currency pairs in the world. In this pair, EUR is the base currency, and SGD is the quote currency.

Understanding EUR/SGD

The price of this pair represents the value of SGD, which is equal to one EUR. It is quoted as 1 EUR per X SGD. For example, if the value of this pair is 1.5552, then about 1.5 Singapore Dollars are required to purchase one euro.

EUR/SGD Specification

Spread

The spread is the difference between the bid and the ask price in the market. These two prices are set by the brokers. And it depends on the type of execution model used by the brokers.

Spread on ECN: 10 pips | Spread on STP: 11 pips

Fees

On ECN accounts, for every position you open, there is some fee involved with it. This is different for different brokers. However, on STP accounts, there is no fee as such.

Slippage

To put it in simple words, slippage is the difference between the trader’s demanded price and price given by the broker. The trader does not get his intended price due to two reasons – Broker’s execution speed & Market volatility

Trading Range in EUR/SGD

With the trading range table, we can assess our gain/loss on a trade in a given timeframe even before we open positions for it. This is done by considering the past volatility of the market.

Now, to determine the profit/loss on a trade, all you must do is, multiply the volatility value with the pip value ($7.25).

Procedure to assess Pip Ranges

  1. Add the ATR indicator to your chart
  2. Set the period to 1
  3. Add a 200-period SMA to this indicator
  4. Shrink the chart so you can assess a large time period
  5. Select your desired timeframe
  6. Measure the floor level and set this value as the min
  7. Measure the level of the 200-period SMA and set this as the average
  8. Measure the peak levels and set this as Max.

EUR/SGD Cost as a Percent of the Trading Range

This is an excellent application to the above volatility table. By considering the pip movement values, we can determine the cost variation of a trade as well. To do so, we find the ratio between the total cost and volatility value and convert it into percentages. Below are the cost variations for ECN and STP accounts models.

ECN Model Account 

Spread = 10 | Slippage = 3 | Trading fee = 3

Total cost = Slippage + Spread + Trading Fee = 3 + 10 + 3

Total cost = 16

STP Model Account

Spread = 11 | Slippage = 3 | Trading fee = 0

Total cost = Slippage + Spread + Trading Fee = 3 + 11 + 0

Total cost = 14

The Ideal way to trade the EUR/SGD

Comprehending the costs : Large/Small percentage -> High/Low costs

From the above the tables and the implications, we can conclude that costs are high when the volatility of the low and high when the volatility is low. And when it comes to the ideal way to trade this pair, conservative traders may trade it during those times when the volatility values are at or above the average values. This will ensure enough volatility as well as affordable costs. And other aggressive traders may trade during any of the extremes.

Also, traders can reduce their total costs by trading using limit orders and stop orders. Unlike the market orders, limit and stop orders do not include slippage on the trade. Hence, this will reduce costs considerably.

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Forex Assets

Asset Analysis – EUR/HKD Exotic Currency Pair

Introduction

EUR/HKD is the abbreviation for the Euro area’s euro against the Hong Kong dollar. It is classified as an exotic currency pair that usually has high volatility and low trading volume. Here, the EUR is the base currency, and the HKD is the quote currency.

Understanding EUR/HKD

The current value of the pair represents the value of HKD that is equivalent to one USD. It is quoted as 1 EUR per X HKD. For example, if the value of this pair is 9.8764, then these many units of HKD are required to buy one US dollar.

Spread

In trading, the difference between the bid price and the ask price is referred to as the spread. Spread typically varies from broker to broker. The approximate spread on ECN and STP accounts is given below.

ECN: 17 pips | STP: 18 pips

Fees

The fee is the commission you pay to your broker for each position you open. The value of this, too, is in the hands of the broker. However, note that there are no fee STP accounts.

Slippage

Slippage is the difference between the price at which the trader executed the trade and the price he actually received from the broker. Essentially, slippage depends on two factors:

  • Broker’s execution speed
  • Market’s volatility

Trading Range in EUR/HKD

Knowing how much profit you can make or how much loss you can incur in a trade in a specific time frame is vital. The Trading Range can be assessed using the table given below. It represents the minimum, average, and maximum pip movement in EURHKD in different timeframes.

Procedure to assess Pip Ranges

  1. Add the ATR indicator to your chart
  2. Set the period to 1
  3. Add a 200-period SMA to this indicator
  4. Shrink the chart so you can determine a large period
  5. Select your desired timeframe
  6. Measure the floor level and set this value as the min
  7. Measure the level of the 200-period SMA and set this as the average
  8. Measure the peak levels and set this as Max.

EUR/HKD Cost as a Percent of the Trading Range

Total cost is not constant for every trade you take. It varies based on the volatility of the market. And the variation of it can be obtained from the two tables given below.

ECN Model Account

Spread = 17 | Slippage = 3 |Trading fee = 3

Total cost = Slippage + Spread + Trading Fee = 3 + 17 + 3 = 23

STP Model Account

Spread = 18 | Slippage = 3 | Trading fee = 0

Total cost = Slippage + Spread + Trading Fee = 3 + 18 + 0 = 21

The Ideal way to trade the EUR/HKD

Exotic currency pairs tend to have high volatility and low volume. And it is not ideal to trade during these times. So, let us find out the best times of the day to trade this currency pair by comprehending the above tables.

The higher percentages depict higher costs on the trade. It can be ascertained that the percentages are on the upper side in the min column. Hence, we can conclude that the costs are high when the volatility of the market is high and vice versa.

And, when it comes to determining the right time to enter the market, one may open positions when the volatility of the market is around the average volatility. This method will ensure both decent volatility and low costs.

Market orders result in slippage, and limit orders do not. Hence, placing limit orders is another way through which one can considerably reduce their total costs on the trade.