What is Commission in Forex Trading
What is Forex Commission?
Forex commission is a fee paid to a broker for executing a trade. It is usually charged per lot (standard lot = 100,000 units of base currency) and can be a fixed amount per side (e.g., $7 per lot) or a percentage of the trade value. For Luxembourg traders, commission is often quoted in USD, but some brokers may charge in EUR, leading to conversion costs.
How Commission Works
When you open a trade, the broker deducts the commission from your account immediately. For example, if you trade 1 lot of EUR/USD with a commission of $7 per lot, you pay $7 when you open and another $7 when you close, totaling $14. This fee is separate from the spread (the difference between bid and ask price).
Why Commission Matters for Luxembourg Traders
Luxembourg retail traders often use USD as their trading currency due to its liquidity. High commissions can erode profits, especially for scalpers or day traders. By choosing a broker with low commissions and transparent fees, you can reduce costs. Additionally, using local payment methods like Bank Transfer or Skrill may affect the net cost due to transfer fees.
Example in USD
Suppose you trade 2 lots of USD/JPY with a commission of $5 per lot per side. Total commission = 2 lots × $5 × 2 sides = $20. If your profit is $100, your net profit after commission is $80. This example shows the importance of factoring commission into your trading plan.