Choose the Spread that suits your trading style

2025-12-24 14:36:22

When it comes to Spread Forex, it refers to the difference between the selling price (Bid) and the buying price (Ask). It is a crucial variable that directly impacts your trading costs. Understanding how the Spread works will help you optimize your trading strategies more effectively.

What is Spread Forex?

Spread is a fundamental concept used across all financial markets, whether trading Forex, stocks, or cryptocurrencies.

In Forex trading: Spread is the gap between the selling price (Bid) and the buying price (Ask) of a currency pair, such as EUR/USD or GBP/USD.

In stock trading: Spread refers to the difference between the price a buyer is willing to pay and the price a seller is willing to accept.

In the cryptocurrency market: Spread is the difference between the selling price (Bid) and the buying price (Ask) of digital assets.

For example, to make it clearer: If you buy EUR/USD at 1.05680 and want to sell immediately, the market offers a price of only 1.05672. This difference of (0.8 pip) is called the Spread, which is your immediate trading cost.

Where do brokers make money from?

Spread is the main source of income for Forex brokers. Every time you trade, the broker earns this difference. Collecting the Spread is like when you want to sell gold bought at a certain price; to make a profit, you need to sell it at least $500 the difference$501 . That difference is the trading fee paid to the gold trader.

What does the Spread tell us about the market?

The spread volume is used as a key indicator of market liquidity.

In normal Forex market conditions: The spread is quite narrow, around 0.001%.

In illiquid markets: When the spread widens to 1-2%, it indicates that there are fewer buyers and sellers, and the market carries higher risk.

There are 2 types of Spreads. How do they differ?

$1 1. Fixed Spread ###Fixed Spread(

Definition: The broker sets a fixed spread in advance, and this value does not change according to market conditions.

Advantages:

You can calculate trading costs precisely since the spread remains constant.
Easier to plan and estimate profits.

Disadvantages:

Requote phenomena occur frequently. During volatile Forex conditions, brokers must adjust the spread quickly.
The system will “block” your trades and notify via Requote until you accept the new price )which is often worse(.
This issue can cause errors in your trading plans.

) 2. Variable Spread ###Variable Spread(

Definition: The spread changes constantly according to market conditions. The broker simply relays prices from the market without interference.

Advantages:

No Requotes occur because the spread is determined by the demand-supply mechanism.
For professional traders, costs may be lower than fixed spreads, especially during high liquidity periods.
Suitable for scalpers or frequent traders.

Disadvantages:

The spread fluctuates significantly, especially during major news events )such as NFP( or when liquidity drops.
Example: You plan to trade EUR/USD with a 2 pip spread, but when US unemployment news is released, the spread suddenly jumps to 20 pips!
Not suitable for speculative trading due to rapid fluctuations.
Beginner traders may find the spread too high, making trading less efficient.

Which should you choose: Fixed or Variable?

The choice depends on your trading style and experience.

For retail traders who prefer small-volume trading:

Fixed Spread is more suitable because the price is stable and easier to plan.

For large traders who trade frequently and consistently:

Variable Spread is more advantageous, offering lower costs during peak market conditions and avoiding Requotes.

In general: Traders who scalp or trade rapidly should opt for Variable Spread to avoid Requotes.

Tips to reduce Spread costs

1. Choose a broker with narrow spreads: Look for trading platforms with relatively stable spreads and minimal high volatility.

2. Trade popular currency pairs: Select EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and other high-liquidity pairs, as they tend to have narrower spreads than less common or exotic pairs.

3. Avoid trading during major news releases: Especially when using Variable Spread, as spreads can widen dramatically during key economic announcements.

4. Understand market liquidity: Throughout the day, Forex liquidity varies. The London/US overlap period usually offers the highest liquidity and the narrowest spreads.

Summary: Spread Forex is the foundation of trading costs

Whether you choose Fixed or Variable Spread, a thorough understanding of how the Spread mechanism works is key to reducing costs and increasing profits. Forex trading is not gambling but a financial investment that requires planning and strategy. Those with in-depth knowledge of trading systems, including proper Spread management, will have a higher chance of success.

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