Foreign Exchange

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Definition of 'Foreign Exchange'

Foreign exchange (FX) is the buying and selling of one currency for another. It is a global market that is open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. The foreign exchange market is the largest financial market in the world, with an average daily trading volume of over $5 trillion.

There are many reasons why people trade foreign exchange. Some of the most common reasons include:

* To hedge against currency risk.
* To speculate on the future direction of currency prices.
* To facilitate international trade and investment.
* To diversify their investment portfolios.

The foreign exchange market is a complex and volatile market. It is important to understand the risks involved before trading foreign exchange.

Here are some of the risks associated with foreign exchange trading:

* Currency risk. The value of a currency can change rapidly, which can lead to losses if you are not careful.
* Interest rate risk. The interest rates in different countries can vary, which can affect the value of a currency.
* Liquidity risk. The foreign exchange market is not as liquid as some other financial markets, which can make it difficult to trade large amounts of currency.
* Political risk. Political events can affect the value of a currency.

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