Trading in the forex market has been steadily evolving over decades since it first began. This has particularly been evident in recent years with the continuing emergence of new trading strategies and methods. These have generally advanced trading to become both more convenient, and more efficient.
One such method which has experienced a sharp growth in popularity of late, is algorithmic trading. Here we will examine what exactly algorithmic trading in forex is, the methods available, and how it could be an effective tool in your trading arsenal moving forward.
Algorithmic Trading Basics
Algorithmic trading at its core, is trading based on a computer program. This computer program follows a preset collection of instructions, an algorithm, to perform a number of functions for you as a forex trader. Typically, within forex trading, this algorithm would be set to execute trades at certain points, or to follow a defined trading strategy in a certain way based on market changes. To this end then, algorithmic trading, also known as algo-trading, can do exactly that. It can automate trading based on a strategy which you desire to implement. This strategy is then made into an algorithm and put to work on your behalf.
As technology continues to advance, not only are an increasing number of traders turning to algorithmic trading methods as a means of trading, but the algorithms themselves, are becoming more and more advanced.
In the current market, there are an endless number of options available in this market space. These range from forex robot trading which you can purchase and implement directly, to community based automated trading strategies which you can take and implement yourself through many trading platforms if your forex broker allows algorithmic trading.
Different Types of Algorithmic Trading
Broadly speaking, we can break algorithmic trading into four different types based on the desired results. We will then define this further into the most common strategies used by trader who engage in algorithmic trading.
Looking at the overview when it comes to algo-trading, we can define four general strategies, or functions, that can be performed within algorithmic trading.
- Statistical Algo-Trading – This type of algorithmic trading searches through historical market data in order to identify trends and opportunities based on the data it finds, versus the current market data and trends.
- Algorithmic Trade Execution – This type of strategy is used to increase the speed and efficiency of trading, typically by executing trades as quickly as possible. This type of high-frequency trading is used to great effect by scalpers within the forex trading sector.
- Algorithmic Hedging – The purpose of this type of algorithmic trading is to balance your exposure to certain areas of the market, under specific conditions. This type of strategy is typically engaged by many in hedging their portfolios, or in many automated portfolio rebalancing services which have become very popular.
How to Use Algorithmic Trading
If we take the strategies above as general functions which algorithmic trading can perform, then this enables you to implement a number of different solutions or times when you may want to use algorithmic trading. Some of the following may be made possible when you engage the strategies mentioned above.
- Price Action/ Trend Following – This is one of the primary purposes for which algorithmic trading is used. It is also one of the most simple. Using the algorithm, both the previous market trend, and the current market trend can be compared and used to identify profitable trading opportunities.
- Arbitrage – Particularly in forex trading, algorithms can be used to identify opportunities in various markets to exploit price differences. To employ this strategy, you will typically need to have two or more forex broker accounts. You could then potentially exploit price differentials between the two by employing algorithmic trading.
- Forex Scalping – Forex scalping is the act of moving in and out of trading positions very quickly throughout the day. In doing this, scalpers aim to profit from very small market movements at any given time. These may represent tiny profits to some traders, but using algorithmic trading, it is possible to engage in thousands of these trades per day at a much faster rate that you would if trading manually.
Benefits of Algo-Trading in Forex
With a basic grounding in what algorithmic trading is, and how it functions, you may wonder what benefits it can ultimately bring to you as a trader. Here are a few of the major benefits associated with algorithmic trading in forex.
- Better Trade Prices – Since algorithmic trading is preset to execute trades at certain levels, this is done almost automatically, or at least at a much faster pace than you could possible achieve through manual trading. This typically means that you have a much higher possibility of executing trades at your best desired price.
- Time Saving – If you have employed an algorithmic trading strategy, then you can just set it up, and leave it to work. You do not need to be there to monitor it. This means you save yourself an untold amount of time behind the screen and executing trades.
- No Emotion – Algorithmic trading is completely systematic. It is essentially a computer program which will follow the data, precisely as you instruct. This leave no room for either human error, or emotional decision making, both of which can often be costly if you are trading in any market.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to algorithmic trading, where previously you may need to have had advanced computer programming knowledge to implement some of the strategies, now that is simply not the case. Though it would be helpful, you really can get started with algorithmic trading very easily through using codes from other members of the community, or trying out some other dedicated forex robot services which can make the whole thing very easy.
Ultimately, if you want to take a more hands-off approach to forex trading which will definitely save you time, and has the potential to increase your returns, then algorithmic trading is something well worth considering.
