A foreign exchange market (forex) is a 24-hour market for trading world currencies. Some see it as a way of changing one currency into another. The exchange of currencies from around the world occurs primarily by multinational corporations conducting business globally.
Additionally, traders bet on the movement of currencies relative to one another on the market. It is a market where individuals are represented by brokers, between brokers and banks, and between banks. Investing in this market can be done in five ways for retail investors.
Standard forex trading account
Investors can trade currencies around the world with the help of a forex broker. When compared with the stock markets in the United States, this market operates differently:
- It is common to trade currencies in pairs, and an investor bets that one will increase in value and the other will decrease.
- A central clearinghouse for trade and regulated currency exchanges are absent in the area.
- Taking short positions does not require an uptick rule.
- Positions are not limited in size.
- Brokers typically make money by trading bids and offer rather than earning commissions.
CDs and savings accounts
It is possible to earn interest on WorldCurrency certificates of deposit (CDs) at local rates in specific countries by using TIAA Bank. Moreover, it offers a basket CD with various currency combinations and a foreign currency account that functions like a money market account, allowing transfers between major currencies.
There is a risk that the CDs will fluctuate in value, but they offer a higher interest rate than dollar-denominated CDs. Investing in a CD when the dollar strengthens against the foreign currency could result in investors getting less than they invested. Unlike bank insolvency, FDIC insurance does not cover currency risk.
Foreign bond funds
Investing in foreign government bonds is possible through mutual funds. Mutual funds that earn foreign currency interest earn interest in foreign currencies. A currency’s value increases if it rises in value relative to the local currency, which leads to an increase in interest when converted back to the local currency.
A foreign bond investment allows investors to select the level of risk they are comfortable with and to pursue additional yields simultaneously. Funds such as the Merk Hard Currency Fund, Aberdeen Global Income Fund, and Templeton Global Bond Fund are examples of this type of fund.
Multinational corporations
Foreign currency markets indirectly impact stockholders who own companies that do significant business overseas. Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, IBM, and Walmart are some of the most popular American companies with overseas exposure.
An appreciation of the foreign currency over the dollar increases profits and revenues from overseas operations. Because those revenues translate into dollars for financial reporting purposes, a stronger foreign currency will result in a higher dollar exchange rate.
ETFs and ETNs
Investing in currencies without trading foreign exchange can be made easier through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund and ProShares UltraShort Euro are two currency ETFs that investors can buy with a standard investment account at most brokerage firms.
Corporate bonds are similar to ETNs, but ETFs are also often exposed to currency markets. ETF traders can also trade currency ETNs on the same exchange, such as the iPath® GBP/USD Exchange Rate ETN (GBB).
How risky is investing in foreign currency?
The exchange rate risk arises from changes in the value of one currency relative to another. A transaction risk occurs when there is a delay between the transaction and settlement of trades, which leads to change losses. A political risk, for example, is a risk that arises when underlying currencies lose value due to economic or government developments.
Bottom line
Trading currencies is extremely popular due to low transaction fees and liquidity. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not place margin limits on currency traders so that traders can leverage their positions.
Most investors invest in currencies through forex, but they can also buy mutual funds, ETFs, and ETNs. Through their investments in multinational corporations, investors have access to global currencies. It is risky to invest in currencies, particularly during volatile economic periods or when geopolitical tensions are high.
