CLOSE MENU

What Is Leverage in Forex and How Does It Impact Trading?

Leverage gives traders the option to trade with more capital than they own, but comes with additional potential risks

By Marcel Deer

Edited by Joel Taylor

Published January 14, 2024.

﻿The foreign exchange market is the largest in the world. Its daily transactions amount to $5 trillion, as per the Nasdaq overview.
﻿
Note: Fortrade offers the ability to trade the price changes of foreign currencies with CFDs and NOT to buy/sell ownership of the foreign currency itself
﻿
What Is Leverage In Forex?Leverage is using borrowed funds to make trades on a margin, to trade with more funds than you actually possess. The position is held using leverage provided by the brokerage, and the investor only pays a percentage of the total trade amount to them, which is the initial margin.
» It's also important to understand volatility in forex trading﻿
How Leverage WorksThe brokerage has different margin requirements for each trade, and as an investor, you can adjust the amount of leverage based on your appetite for risk. 
As a rule, lower margin requirements give you more leverage over each trade. That means a margin of 2% (or 50:1) would allow you to have $1,000 in your account to make a leveraged trade of $50,000. Similarly,  a 1% margin requirement (100:1) lets you make trades of $100,000 with an initial margin of $1,000.
» Wondering if CFDs offer higher leverages than traditional trading?
﻿
Leverage's Impact on TradingThe forex market, in contrast to equities, tends to be more stable. This stability opens the door for brokers to offer something interesting: leverage.
However, tread cautiously. Leverage can boost your profits, but at the same time, it can also lead to greater losses. It's a bit like a double-edged sword. So, be judicious. Only employ it when you're genuinely confident that your trade will come out on the winning side.

Filip Dimkovski

Forex

Start Forex Day Trading Today: 5 Points for Beginners

Andrew Moran

Forex

5 Most-Popular Forex Majors

Andrew Moran

CFD Trading

Free Margin & Its Role in CFD Trading

Investing in Agricultural Commodities With CFDs: What You Should Know

Andrew Moran

CFD Trading

Investing in Agricultural Commodities With CFDs: What You Should Know

Filip Dimkovski

Forex

How to Use Forex Technical Analysis to Get Insights on Market Trends

Ready for trading? Start now

This website is owned and operated by Fortrade Limited.

Fortrade Mobile Apps

Secure Payment Options

Connect with us - Fortrade Online Trading

Company About Fortrade Partnerships White Label Brands Affiliate with us Contact us Career Career Career Career

Products Currencies Indices Stocks Precious Metals Energy Products Agriculture Products US Treasuries ETFs Full List of Products

Platforms Web Fortrader Mobile Fortrader Download MetaTrader 4 Download MetaTrader 4 Download MetaTrader 4 MT4 WebTrader MT4 WebTrader MT4 Mobile App

Academy Trading Webinars Trading eBooks Beginner's Trading Courses Advanced Trading Courses Trading Videos Top Day Trading Strategies Glossary of Terms Blog Q&A

Resources FAQs Market Research Market Commentary Trading Central Trading Central Analysis Trading Product Details Trading Conditions Premium Fortrade Rollover Rates Company Policy & Procedures Swap Free Islamic Account Trading Tools Key Information Documents (KID)

Legal Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions Best Execution Order Execution Policy Privacy Policy Consent to Personal Data Processing Risk Disclosure Statement Complaints Procedure Conflicts of Interest Client Agreement Complaints Procedure Product Disclosure Statement Financial Services Guide Privacy Policy Hedging Counterparty Policy Target Market Determination Terms and Conditions - Client Agreement Order Execution Policy Privacy Policy Relationship Disclosure Risk Disclosure How CIRO Protects Investors Complaints Procedure Trade Margin Rules How can I get my money back? A guide for investors Conflicts of Interest Disclosure CIPF - Canadian Investor Protection Fund Best Interest and Order Execution Policy Client Agreement Privacy Policy Client Categorisation Policy Company Information Complaints Procedure Conflicts of Interests Policy Investor Compensation Fund Risk Disclosure Website Terms and Conditions Pillar III disclosures Fortrade Cyprus GDPR Policy Wholesale Client Agreement Wholesale Client Information Statement Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Risk Disclosure

Risk Warning and Disclaimer

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Be Aware: You can lose all, but not more than the balance of your Trading Account. These products may not be suitable for all clients therefore ensure you understand the risks and seek independent advice. This material does not constitute an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. Fortrade accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of the information and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information, consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or Belgium and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

CFDs and margin FX are leveraged products that carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Be Aware: You can lose all, but not more than the balance of your Trading Account. You do not own, or have any rights to, the underlying assets. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. This information is intended to be general in nature and is not financial product advice. Any advice contained on this website or provided to you by Fort Securities Australia Pty Ltd is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We encourage you to obtain independent financial advice and consider our Financial Services Guide (FSG), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) to determine if this product is suitable for you before deciding to enter into or obtain any financial products issued by us. The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or Belgium and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Be Aware: You can lose all, but not more than the balance of your Trading Account. These products may not be suitable for all clients therefore ensure you understand the risks and seek independent advice. You do not own, or have any interest in, the underlying assets. Fortrade Canada Limited is an Order Execution Only broker, and does not provide investment advice or recommendation. Fortrade is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). Fortrade Canada Limited is authorised to provide CFD trading services in all provinces in Canada except Quebec. Residents of Alberta province are required to be Accredited Investors to trade CFDs.

CFDs are complex and highly speculative instruments, which come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing all your invested capital.
The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or Belgium and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

All CFDs, including cryptocurrency CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Be aware, as a retail client you can lose all, but not more than the balance of your trading account due to Fortrade’s negative balance protection.

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or Belgium and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

Risk warning Privacy policy

Risk warning Risk warning Privacy policy Privacy policy

Risk warning Privacy policy

Fortrade Authorised and Regulated Centers:

Fortrade Ltd., 43-45 Dorset Street, London, W1U 7NA, London, United Kingdom.
Office: Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London. SW3 6RD.
Authorised and regulated in UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FRN: 609970.

Fortrade Canada Limited, 1200 Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard Street, P.O. Box 48600, Vancouver BC V7X 1T2, Canada.
Regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). CRN: BC1148613.

Fort Securities Australia Pty Ltd. (T/A Fortrade Australia), Level 5, 20 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
Licensed and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) ABN: 33 614 683 831 | AFSL: 493520.

Fortrade Cyprus Ltd, Office 302, Abbey Tower, Block A, 34, Kosta Partasides Street, 3030 Limassol, Cyprus.
Regulated and supervised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) with CIF license number 385/20.
Fortrade Cyprus Ltd, Branch in Madrid, Spain. CNMV Registration No. 158.

Fortrade Mauritius Ltd. The Cyberati Lounge, Ground Floor, The Catalyst, Silicon Avenue, 40 Cybercity, 72201 Ebene, Republic of Mauritius.
Authorised and regulated by Financial Services Commission, Mauritius (FSC), SEC-2.1B investment dealer number: GB21026472.

Edit GDPRWidget

What Is Leverage in Forex and How Does It Impact Trading?

Create Fortrade Demo Account