What is Commission in Forex Trading
What is Commission in Forex Trading?
Commission is a fixed fee per trade, usually charged per lot (standard lot = 100,000 units of base currency). For Slovakia traders, most brokers quote commissions in USD, such as $5 per lot per side. This means if you open and close a 1-lot trade, you pay $10 total ($5 for opening + $5 for closing).
How Commission Works in Practice
When you trade, the broker either charges commission separately (common with ECN/STP accounts) or includes it in the spread (market maker accounts). For example, an ECN broker might offer a 0.1-pip spread on EUR/USD but charge $7 per lot commission. A market maker might offer zero commission but a 1.2-pip spread. Slovakia traders should calculate total cost: (spread in pips × pip value) + commission.
Commission vs Spread – What’s the Difference?
Spread is the difference between bid and ask price, while commission is an additional fee. Some brokers advertise 'zero commission' but have wider spreads, making them more expensive for frequent traders. For Slovakia traders, using an ECN account with low spreads and a small commission often works out cheaper for scalping or day trading.
Example for Slovakia Traders (USD)
Suppose you trade 2 standard lots of GBP/USD. Your broker charges $6 per lot per side. Commission cost = 2 lots × $6 × 2 sides = $24. If you profit $200, your net profit is $176. Always factor commission into your risk-reward ratio.