What is Spread in Forex
The spread is calculated as the difference between the ask price and the bid price of a currency pair. For example, if USD/EUR has a bid price of 0.8500 and an ask price of 0.8503, the spread is 3 pips. This means when you open a trade, you start at a small loss equal to the spread. Brokers offer two main types: fixed spreads, which stay constant regardless of market conditions, and variable spreads, which change based on liquidity and volatility. For Yemeni traders, variable spreads can be risky because they widen during news events or when the Yemeni rial fluctuates, potentially increasing costs unexpectedly. With USD as your trading currency, you’ll often trade pairs like USD/TRY or USD/AED, which can have wider spreads due to lower liquidity. Practical example: If you trade 1 standard lot (100,000 units) of USD/TRY with a spread of 5 pips, the cost is $50. For Yemeni traders with smaller accounts, even a 1-pip difference can significantly impact returns. Understanding spreads helps you choose between market execution and instant execution, as the latter may involve fixed spreads but requotes. Always check the spread table on your broker’s platform before trading.