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Try asking yourself: why do we sometimes make a profit immediately after closing a trade, only to end up with a loss? Mostly, it's because of the spread. The spread is the difference between the selling price (Bid) and the buying price (Ask) of the currency or asset we are trading. This sounds simple, but understanding it deeply can help you plan your trades much better.
Spreads are present everywhere in the financial markets, whether you're trading forex pairs, stocks, or even cryptocurrencies. The difference between the price you buy at and the price you sell at is the spread. For example, if you buy EUR/USD at 1.05680 but can sell at 1.05672, the difference of 0.8 pips is the spread you have to bear.
Why is the spread important? Because it’s not just a cost you pay; it also indicates the market’s liquidity. In normal conditions, the spread is small, around 0.001%. But if you encounter a market with a spread of 1-2%, it shows that there are very few buyers and sellers.
When trading, you'll encounter two types of spreads. The first is a fixed spread, which does not change. The broker sets it in advance. The advantage is that you can calculate your costs precisely. The downside is that during high volatility, Requotes may occur frequently, which can be very annoying because the system will block trading until you accept the new price.
The second type is a variable spread, which changes according to market conditions. There are no Requotes, which is good for traders who prefer quick profits. However, the problem is that during major news events, the spread can widen rapidly. If you're not careful, the price can change before you can react.
Which one is better? There’s no single answer. It depends on your trading style. Small traders who prefer to trade in small amounts may benefit more from fixed spreads. But active traders, especially during volatile market periods, might find variable spreads more advantageous.
What you must remember is: the more the spread fluctuates, the harder it becomes to make profits. Therefore, choose a broker with stable spreads, and try trading popular currency pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/USD, which usually have less fluctuation because they are heavily traded.
In summary, if we understand spreads and choose the type that suits us, our trading can be more strategic and efficient. Because forex trading is not gambling; it’s an investment that requires knowledge and strategy.