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TRADING

HOW TO TRADE WITH MT4 IN THE PHILIPPINES

Trading in the Forex market has gained popularity in the Philippines, and one of the most widely used platforms is MetaTrader 4 (MT4). This comprehensive guide will explore critical aspects to consider when trading with MT4 in the Philippines.

From choosing brokers that offer the MT4 platform and align with your trading strategy, this article will provide an overview of the Forex market and give you the necessary information to start your journey as a trader. We will begin with a brief description of Forex brokers, as it is essential to fully understand what they are and how they interact with MT4.

Best MT4 Brokers for traders in the Philippines

What is a Forex Broker, and How Does It Differ from a Regular Broker?


To trade in the global foreign exchange market from the Philippines, you must open an account with a broker. A Forex broker is a financial institution or a company that acts as an intermediary between traders and the foreign exchange market. Its primary function is to facilitate the execution of buying and selling currency transactions on behalf of traders.


How a Forex Broker Works


The broker provides access to the trading platform (such as MT4), where you can conduct your trades.


When you open an account with a Forex broker, you get a trading interface to view real-time currency prices, perform analysis, execute orders, and manage your account.


The Forex broker acts as your link to the market, taking your buy and sell orders for any financial asset and sending them (via the trading platform, such as MT4) to liquidity providers such as banks and other market participants who will be your counterparts. When you buy something, someone on the other side sells, and vice versa.


Contracts for Difference (CFDs)


A commonly offered financial instrument by Forex brokers is Contracts for Difference (CFDs). A CFD functions as an agreement between a trader and a broker to exchange the difference in the value of an underlying asset between the opening and closing of the position. CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price of an asset without physically owning it.


In the case of Forex brokers, CFDs offer the opportunity to trade a wide range of financial instruments. In addition to currencies, brokers often offer indices, stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.


When trading with CFDs, you can benefit from upward and downward price fluctuations, allowing you to seek profit opportunities in different market conditions.


Differences Between a Forex Broker and a Traditional Broker


Although a Forex broker and a traditional broker (such as BDO Unibank) share some similarities, there are significant differences between them:


  1. Focus on the Forex Market: Forex brokers specialise in foreign exchange, offering a wide selection of currency pairs to trade. Generally, any reputable Forex broker offers MT4 as an alternative for currency trading. In contrast, traditional brokers may offer various financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

  2. Leverage: Forex brokers often offer a higher leverage level than traditional brokers. Leverage allows you to trade with more money than what you have available in your account, amplifying your potential profits and losses.

  3. Trading Hours: The Forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. Therefore, Forex brokers usually offer uninterrupted market access during this period. In contrast, traditional brokers may have more limited trading hours depending on their operating markets.

  4. Tools and Features: Forex brokers typically provide specific tools and features for currency trading, such as advanced charts, technical indicators, real-time economic news, and market analysis. On the other hand, a traditional broker like a bank may only offer basic charts for the financial asset.



Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Broker with MT4 in the Philippines


When choosing a broker that offers MT4, consider various aspects to make an informed decision:


1. Regulation and License


Choosing a regulated and licensed broker is crucial to ensure your funds' safety and protect your rights as a trader. Verify that the broker is registered with a reliable regulatory body such as the UK's FCA, Australia's ASIC, or Germany's BaFin. Unfortunately, none of the largest Forex brokers are regulated by the local Securities and Exchange Commission.


2. Spreads and Commissions


Compare the spreads and commissions offered by different brokers. Low spreads allow you to trade with reduced costs, while transparent commissions avoid unpleasant surprises in your trades.


3. Types of Forex Accounts and Their Suitability for Different Traders


When choosing a Forex broker, it is crucial to understand the different types of accounts they offer. Brokers typically provide various options to suit traders' needs and preferences. The following are the most common types of Forex accounts:


Raw Account: A popular choice among traders looking for low spreads and fast trade execution. With this type of account, spreads are variable and obtained directly from the market. This allows traders to benefit from favourable market conditions and competitive spreads. Additionally, Raw accounts often have a commission per traded lot.

Suitability for Traders: The Raw account is more suitable for experienced and active traders who make frequent trades and seek to take advantage of fast market movements. It is also popular among traders using scalping and day trading strategies, where low spreads and fast execution are essential.


ECN Account (Electronic Communication Network): An option providing direct interbank market access. In this type of account, traders' orders are matched with orders from other market participants such as banks, financial institutions, and other traders. This allows for fast execution and increased liquidity.

Suitability for Traders: The ECN account suits experienced traders who value market transparency and seek low spreads, fast execution, and high liquidity. It benefits traders operating with larger volumes and seeking a greater diversity of liquidity providers.


Standard Account: The most common and basic option most Forex brokers offer. With this type of account, spreads are usually fixed, meaning they do not change according to market conditions. A Standard account has no commission per traded lot, as brokers generate profits through spreads.

Suitability for Traders: The Standard account suits beginner traders or those who prefer a more straightforward cost structure. It is ideal for long-term trades, trend-following strategies, and traders not engaging in high-frequency trading.


Micro Account: Designed for traders who want to start with lower initial capital. With this type of account, lot sizes are smaller, and margin requirements are lower. Spreads can be fixed or variable, depending on the broker.

Suitability for Traders: The Micro account is ideal for beginners who want to familiarise themselves with Forex trading and practice with small amounts of capital. It can also suit traders who prefer smaller trades and seek to limit their risk exposure.


Islamic Account (Swap-Free): Also known as a Swap-Free account, it complies with Islamic Sharia law, which prohibits the payment or receipt of interest. In an Islamic account, no overnight rollover or swap charges apply to positions held.

Suitability for Traders: The Islamic account suits traders who follow Sharia law principles and wish to trade without incurring interest charges. It is a popular choice among Muslim traders and those who want to trade on their religious beliefs.


4. Variety of Instruments


Consider the variety of instruments the broker offers for trading on MT4. In addition to major currency pairs in the Forex market, such as the Euro-Dollar, you may also be interested in trading CFDs of pairs that include minor or exotic currencies. A broker with a wide range of instruments provides more opportunities to diversify your trading portfolio.


5. Support and Customer Service


The quality of support and customer service is crucial, especially if you are new to trading. Please ensure the broker offers efficient customer service and can answer your questions and resolve any issues.


6. Customized MT4 Platform


While MT4 is a standard platform, some brokers may offer customised versions with additional features. Could you check if the broker provides specific tools and add-ons that can enhance your trading experience?



How to Open an Account with a Forex Broker with MT4 from the Philippines


The process of opening an account with a broker that offers MT4 is simple and consists of the following steps:


  1. Choose a reliable and regulated brokerage that offers MT4: Research and compare different brokers that offer MT4. Consider the abovementioned aspects and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Verify that they accept local traders, as many have restrictions in terms of location. The list below includes brokers that do accept clients in the Philippines.

  2. Account registration: Once you have chosen a broker, visit their website and look for the account registration option. Click on the corresponding link to start the registration process.

  3. Provide personal information: Complete the registration form with your personal information, including your name, email address, and contact details. Make sure to provide accurate and truthful information.

  4. Select the account type: Choose the type of account you wish to open. As detailed before, they often offer different accounts, such as demo accounts for practice, standard real accounts, and accounts with unique features.

  5. Account verification: The platform will require you to verify your identity (passport or Philippine ID card) and address (e.g., MERALCO Bill) by uploading the documentation before activating your account. Follow the instructions provided by the broker to complete this process.

  6. Deposit funds: Once verified, deposit funds into your trading account. Brokers usually offer various deposit methods, such as bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and electronic payment methods, such as Wise.

  7. Set up the MT4 platform: Before you start trading, you should configure the MT4 platform to your needs and preferences. You can customise charts, choose from various technical analysis tools, and configure indicators.

  8. Start trading: Once you have set up the MT4 platform to your liking, you can start trading in the financial markets. Having a solid trading strategy and applying proper risk management is essential to maximise your chances of success.

Initial View of MetaTrader 4 - The screen display is customizable with charts, order book, trades, news, among other options.

Initial View of MetaTrader 4 - The screen display is customizable with charts, order book, trades, news, among other options.

Overview of MetaTrader 4 and Its Uses


MetaTrader 4 is a widely used platform that offers forex traders a wide range of tools and features. Some highlights of MT4 include:


Intuitive Interface


MT4 features an intuitive and user-friendly interface allowing traders to access various functions easily. You can easily find charts, technical analysis indicators, and order management functions.


Charts and Technical Analysis


MT4 provides a wide range of charting and technical analysis tools. You can access multiple timeframes, add custom technical indicators, and perform detailed analysis of price patterns.


Expert Advisors (EAs)


MT4 allows for the automation of trading through Expert Advisors (EAs). EAs are computer programs that automatically execute trades based on predefined conditions set by the trader. You can use preconfigured EAs or create your automated trading systems.


Customisation and Use of Indicators


MT4 offers various popular technical indicators to help you identify trends, support and resistance levels, and other trading signals. Additionally, you can customise indicators to suit your preferences. You will find a complete list of MT4 technical indicators in this article.


Risk Management Features


MT4 provides various tools to help you manage risk in your trades. You can set stop-loss and take-profit orders and use pending orders and trailing stops to secure your profits and limit losses.


Overview of the Forex Market


The Forex market is the global currency market where traders buy and sell different currencies. Some key points about the Forex market include:


Decentralised Market


The Forex market has no centralised physical location but operates electronically worldwide. Trades are conducted through a global network of financial institutions, banks, brokers, and traders.


24-Hour trading


The Forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. This means you can trade anytime, providing flexibility and additional opportunities for traders.


Currency Pairs


Forex trades are conducted in currency pairs such as EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, etc. Each pair represents the value relationship between two different currencies. The most common currency pairs are called "majors".


Volatility


The Forex market is known for its high volatility. Currency prices can fluctuate rapidly due to economic, political, and other factors. This provides opportunities for profits but also entails higher risk.


Economic and Geopolitical Influences


Economic and geopolitical events can have a significant impact on currency prices. Forex traders need to be attentive to economic reports, government policy announcements, and other events that can influence the market.



Advanced Tools and Features of MetaTrader 4


In addition to the mentioned basic features, MT4 offers several advanced tools and features to enhance your trading experience:


Backtesting


You can use the backtesting function of MT4 to evaluate the profitability of your trading strategy on historical data. This allows you to test and refine your strategies before applying them in real market conditions.


Mobile Trading


MT4 is available in mobile versions for iOS and Android devices. This allows you to access and trade anywhere and anytime using your smartphone or tablet.


Virtual Private Servers (VPS)


Some brokers offer VPS services for MT4. A VPS enables you to run your trading platform continuously and without interruptions, even if your computer is turned off or you have an unstable internet connection.


Custom Indicators


In addition to the preinstalled technical indicators, you can find and use custom indicators developed by other traders or even create your indicators using the MQL4 programming language.


Trading Signals


MT4 allows you to subscribe to trading signals from other traders. You can automatically copy the trades of successful traders and apply their strategies to your trading account.



Risk Management in the Forex Market


Risk management is crucial in Forex trading to protect your capital and minimise losses. Here are some risk management techniques to consider:


  • Set Loss Limits: Define a loss limit or stop-loss before opening a trade. This level indicates where you will close the trade if the market moves against you, avoiding significant losses.

  • Use Take Profit Orders: Take profit orders allow you to set a target profit level. The trade will automatically close once the market reaches that level, and you will secure your profits.

  • Diversification: Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Diversifying your trading portfolio means trading in different currency pairs and financial instruments to distribute risk.

  • Appropriate Position Sizing: Calculate the appropriate position size based on your capital and the level of risk you are willing to take in each trade. Avoid risking too much on a single trade.

  • Follow a Risk Management Strategy: Develop and follow a consistent risk management strategy. Set clear rules on how much you are willing to risk on each trade and how you will manage winning and losing trades.



Conclusion


In summary, MetaTrader 4 is a versatile and powerful platform for trading in the Forex market. When choosing a broker with MT4, consider aspects such as regulation, spreads, instrument variety, and customer support. Learn how to open an account with a broker and familiarise yourself with the features of MT4, including charts, technical analysis, EAs, and risk management.


Remember that trading is a continuous learning journey; you should always be willing to improve your skills and knowledge. Use available educational resources and maintain a disciplined and focused mindset.

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