The forex market that we know today started in the’70s. Its qualities are very unique as compared to those of other financial markets because of the following characteristics:

1. Trading in the forex market can be done in volumes.

2. The forex market is geographically encompassing.

3. In terms of liquidity, the forex market is incomparable.

4. The forex market offers its traders long hours of trading activities. As a matter of fact, forex trading activities can be done on a twenty-four (24) hour basis except during the weekends, specifically from 10:00 PM UTC on Sundays until 10:00 PM on Fridays).

5. There are a variety of elements that affects the forex market exchange rates.

6. The power of leveraging is really very useful in the forex market.

Because of the characteristics previously mentioned, the forex market is referred to by many financial analysts financial market professionals as the “closest to perfect” financial market. It is an ideal venue to invest good money in because of its extreme liquidity. In fact, according to the Triennial Central Bank Survey done in December 2007 by the Bank of International Settlements, the forex market averages a total daily turnover of around 3.98 trillion US dollars, with about 1.0005 trillion US dollars through spot transactions, 1.714 trillion US dollars through forex swaps, 362 billion dollars through outright forwards, and 129 billion US dollars as estimated gaps. This figures make it the most liquid, not to mention the largest, financial market in the entire global financial market, and because of these facts, a lot of people from all walks of like want to have a share of a piece of this very liquid financial pie.

The forex market is still continuing to grow even amidst these times of financial crisis. In fact, according to the FX Poll of Euromoney, the volumes being traded in the forex market grew at about forty-one (41) percent within a year, between 2007 and 2008.

Even with these figures and seemingly obvious reason to not lose in forex trading, still, a lot of people are not successful in their ventures in the forex market. Why? This is because they are not giving themselves the benefit of learning the ropes. Some of them just assume that since the forex market is a very liquid market, they have no way to lose as long as they gamble. But then, it is, in no way, a gambling arena. To earn even just a semblance of success in it, an aspiring forex trader should learn the ropes first.

Learning how to trade forex starts with a desire to learn and a drive to become a great trader. Learning to make forex trades takes dedication and a good teacher. But once you learn how to trade and do so successfully your life will change and you have options and financial resources you never had before.

There are 4 main time zones with different Forex trading hours: USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. For example, Forex opens in Tokyo on Sunday at 23.00 GMT. Tokyo is where the Forex trading week starts. The trading week closes in Chicago at 10 PM on Friday.

Forex market does not stop its work even during the biggest holidays, because there will always be a region on Earth, which does not considered that day a holiday. The best examples are the opposing Christian and Muslim holidays. When a holiday starts in the Christian regions of the planet, you may simply concentrate your Forex trading hours on the financial centers of the Muslim countries, and vice versa. Even during the “global” holidays, currency trading usually does not just stop. For example, during the Catholic Christmas, you can still get the currency quotes from Muslim countries and other Asian countries banks.

Probably, the only uncomfortable time for your trades is weekends. Even though you can trade on the weekends, the volume of the transactions will be so thin, that you may risk not being able to find a counterpart for your transaction.

Forex trading hours are different around the globe, which makes Forex one of the most colorful and mixed markets. The currencies that are traded on the Forex market include such major currencies like: USD, Euro, Yen, Pounds, Australian and Canadian Dollars and many others.

Forex trading hours are believed to also be present for one simple reason – the employees of various institutions need some time to take care of matters. Frankly speaking, Forex traders probably also need to “relax and get some rest” every once in a while.

Some people ask, why is it that Forex trading hours fall at night in their countries? Well, the reason behind that is that when it is night in one country, it is a daytime in another country. At the time when one country “goes to sleep”, financial institutions in another country are just starting to open.

Four main time-zones of Forex trading hours around the globe:

As mentioned above, Forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week (with inactive trading during weekends), so you can participate in the trade virtually day and night. Below are the Forex trading hours, according to the Eastern Time Zone for the four major financial centers:

Tokyo Trading Hours: 19.00 to 04.00

New York: 8.00 to 17.00 EST

London: 03.00 to 12.00 (noon) EST

Sydney, Trading Hours: 17.00 to 02.00 EST

Forex trading hours are important for the best trading results. Forex market will become somewhat different depending on the Forex trading hours that you will choose for your trades.

Author Steve Maenshel can help you take advantage of the forex trading hours. For more forex trading information, visit his forex resource center.