Preface xiiiAcknowledgments xv1 What Is the FOREX? 1Introduction 1FOREX Defined 12A Brief History of the FOREX 13Free-Floating FOREX Market 13Major FOREX Participants 142 More FOREX 15Currency Pairs 15Recommended Currency Pairs 16Why Trade the FOREX 19Volume in the FOREX 19Analyzing the FOREX 23How Profits Are Made 23The FOREX as a Two-Way Market 253 Forecasting the Market 29Fundamental Analysis 29Technical Analysis 32Fundamental versus Technical Analysis 334 Currency Options 35Currency Options Introduction 35Options Pricing 36Advantages of Trading Options 37European and American Options 37Exotic Options 38Lock in Profits 40Accelerate Your Profits 415 Creating a Workstation for Trading 43Workstation Location 43Trading Computer and Accessories 44Internet Connection 45Trading Software Programs 45Continuing Education 486 Fundamentals of Trading 51Introduction to Trading Theory 52Trends Defined 53Trend Cycles 53High-Probability Trading 55Sideways, Nontrend Strategy: Wait for Strong Trends 55Uptrend Trading Strategy: But at Dip Bottoms 55Downtrend Trading Strategy: Sell at Rally Tops 58Symmetrical Triangle 58Ascending Triangle: A Bullish Continuation Pattern 63Descending Triangle 65The Falling Broadening Formation 67Support Breakdown or Resistance Breakout 67The Double Bottom 68Head and Shoulders (Crown) 707 Economic Fundamentals 73Introduction 73Economic Indicators 74Inflation Indicators 76Employment Indicators 78Consumer Spending Indicators 78Leading Indicators 798 Introduction to Technical Analysis 81Technical Analysis Defined 81Technical Analysis Assumptions 82Bar and Candlestick Charts 83Technical Analysis Terms 86Market Patterns: Uptrends, Downtrends,and Sideways Trends 87Support and Resistance 95Moving Averages 959 Advanced Trading Charts and Indicators 103Tools for Technical Analysis 104Bollinger Bands 104Directional Movement Index (DMI) 107Stochastic Indicator 107Moving Averages (Simple, Weighted, and Exponential) 110Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MAC/D) 116Momentum 119Relative Strength Index (RSI) 119Rate of Change (ROC) 122Volume 12210 Fibonacci Numerical Sequences and Elliot Waves 125Introduction 125Fibonacci Rectangles and Shell Spirals 127Fibonacci Retracements 128Fibonacci Extensions 128Fibonacci Time 129Fibonacci Circles 130Elliot Waves 13511 Money Management Principles 139Trade with Sufficient Capital 140Exercise Discipline 140Be Patient and Persistent 141Employ Risk-to-Reward Ratios 141Follow Trading Rules 143Accept Losses 144Always, Always Use Stops 144When In Doubt, Stay Out 145Never Overleverage Your Account 145Make Realistic Goals That Can Be Achieved within Reason 146Always Trade with Money You Can Afford to Lose 147Protecting Your Profits 147Keep a Trading Log 14712 Six Steps to Success 149Identify Current Long- and Short-Term Trendsand Which Trend to Trade 149Check News and Market Announcements 150Identify Support an