トレーディングに最適なFXペアは何でしょうか?この質問に明確な答えがあれば、FXのトレーディング方法を学んだり、通貨の動きを推測したりすることが、はるかに確実なものになるでしょう。しかし残念ながらそうではなく、トレーディングに最適な通貨ペアを決めるのは常に個人的な選択であり、専らあなた自身のトレーディング戦略に依存します。
しかし、マーケットで最もトレーディングされている通貨ペアを調べることは役に立ちます。これによって、通貨ペアをトレーディングする際に最も流動性の高いオプションについてある程度知ることができ、今後の戦略を立てるために利用できる豊富なデータを得ることができます。
EUR/USD通貨ペアは、取引量と取引頻度に関して市場で最も取引されています。FXトレーディングでは、この取引量の多さが勢いを生み、最も頻繁に取引されるペアは通貨投機家の間で非常に人気があります。これは、頻繁に取引されるペアの流動性が高いため、スプレッドを狭く保つことができるからです。
トレーダーは、欧州中央銀行と米国連邦準備制度理事会(FRB)の動向を常に意識しておく必要があります。これらの金融機関は、通貨の相対的な価値を決定する金利を設定しています。一方の金融機関が他方の金融機関に比べて金利を引き上げれば、その金融機関の通貨の価値が上昇する可能性があり、これによってトレーダーがロングポジションを建てる必要があるかショートポジションを建てる必要があるかが決まります。
USD/JPYペアは、米ドルをベースポジションとし、日本円をクォート通貨として使用します。このペアはゴッパーと呼ばれることもあり、トレーダーにとってもう一つの流動性の高いオプションです。この流動性は、世界のFX取引の大部分を占めるアジア市場での日本円のトレーディングの普及によって支えられています。
ここでも、米連邦準備制度理事会(FRB)が米ドルの金利を決定する一方で、日本国内の金利は日本銀行が決定権を持っています。トレーダーは米ドル/円の戦略を決定する際、これらの金利の変化に注意する必要があるでしょう。
英ポンドを基本通貨とし、米ドルをクォート通貨とするGBP/USDペアは、FXトレーダーの間で「ケーブル」と呼ばれることがあります。これは、このペアのトレーディングの歴史が長いためであり、大西洋を横断するトレーディングを実行するために使用されていたワイヤーケーブルを直接指しています。
トレーダーは、米国の連邦準備制度理事会(FRB)とロンドンのイングランド銀行の動向を常に意識しておくことが必要で す。これらの要因はいずれも、米ドル相場に対する英ポンドのパフォーマンスに影響を及ぼします。
Traders may call the AUD/USD pair “the Aussie” simply because the Australian Dollar is in the base position, while the United States Dollar is the quote currency. While many other pairs use the Australian Dollar as the base currency, the AUD/USD is the most frequently traded and liquid, so this one receives the colloquial nickname.
The Reserve Bank of Australia determines the country’s official cash rate, so traders need to be aware of this in relation to the current Federal Reserve interest rate. The Australian Dollar also depends on the performance of the natural resources that bolster the country’s economy.
The USD/CAD is another pair on this list, with the United States Dollar in the base position while the neighbouring Canadian Dollar takes the quote position. This pair may also be called “the loonie”, a nickname for the physical Canadian Dollar coin.
In addition to the interest rates across the two nations, traders will need to be aware of the price of oil on the global market. This is an important influence on the Canadian economy and will affect the currency’s value relative to the United States Dollar south of the border.
This currency pair puts the United States Dollar and the Chinese Yuan in the base and quote positions, respectively. As the two biggest economies in the world, the United States and the People’s Republic of China have a huge influence on the forex market, and this pair has grown to become one of the most frequently traded in the world.
The Chinese central government exerts control over the country’s economy and the value of its currency. It has intentionally allowed the value of the Yuan — sometimes referred to as the Renminbi — to depreciate relative to other global currencies. This makes the USD/CNY a unique pairing on this list, and the potential volatility of the pair has been compounded in recent years by the unfolding trade war and political tensions between the two countries.
When forex platform users are trading currency pairs, they may notice “the Swissie” — this is another name for the United States Dollar and Swiss Franc currency pair, or the USD/CHF.
The Swiss Franc is often considered a stable currency, so traders may be tempted to invest in the CHF during periods of uncertainty in the broader market. If the market is generally stable, traders are less likely to turn to the Swiss Franc. Despite this, the USD/CHF, or Swissie, remains one of the most traded currency pairs.
One of the most traded currency pairs in recent years has been the United States Dollar and the Hong Kong Dollar, or USD/HKD. This is a somewhat unique entry on this list simply because of the relationship between the two currencies. The HKD quote currency is pegged directly to the USD base currency, which means the value of the quote currency will rise and fall with that of the base currency.
There is still room for speculation, however. The HKD can fluctuate by several cents up or down from the current United States Dollar value. When extrapolated out over larger trade values and volumes — or trades made with leverage in the FX market — this can still represent a significant level of fluctuation.
Bringing together the European Euro in the base currency slot, up against the British Pound in the quote position, the EUR/GBP currency pair is among the most interesting options around. This is because of the geopolitical and economic speculation that has taken place in this part of the world over the last few years. While Britain was never in the Eurozone, it was a member of the European Union until several years ago. Its recent exit has caused serious fluctuations in the relative values of the two currencies.
Of course, fluctuations and volatility do not always mean bad news for investors, and many traders will actively welcome this kind of movement in the market. This is why the EUR/GBP has become one of the most popular choices for speculation, although traders are always advised to tread carefully.
The tenth and final pair on this list of the most traded currency pairs is the USD/KRW. With this pair, we find the United States Dollar in the base currency position again, while South Korea’s Won fills the quote currency position.
Huge economic growth in South Korea in the last few decades, as well as its status as one of the leaders in the global tech market, has led to considerable interest in this currency. And, of course, the United States Dollar remains one of the most commonly traded currencies in the world, making for a natural base option.
The above list is not definitive. The market’s most commonly traded currency pairs can change at any time, with new pairs emerging and other pairs falling out of favour. As you decide on the best currency pairs to trade, you’ll need to pay attention to market movements, examine the dashboard of your trading platform and identify trends.
Examining the market means you’ll need to stay aware of pips. Pips in FX are small movements, typically at the fourth decimal place of the currency pair value. However, with smaller denomination quote currencies like the Japanese Yen or Korean Won, these movements may be at the second decimal place. While a single pip movement may not look like much, this can represent a significant amount of money on a large trade. Even on smaller trades, pip movements decide whether the position is successful or not.
Here at VT Markets, we provide traders with the tools and platforms they need to grow their experience in the market. This may include trading with some of the common most traded currency pairs out there, or it may involve emerging and exotic pairs. Whichever strategy you choose, begin your journey with a demo account and open real positions on the live trading account. Want to discover more? Reach out to our team today.