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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tips and tricks-every forex trader must know



we believe that proper training is essential to achieving

trading success. Without the appropriate preparation and expertise, a trader's

chances of succeeding are substantially reduced. Our free Forex training was

created to teach our clients a strategy to day-trade currencies. Traders that

use a strategy, or system to trade, tremendously increase their probability of

success as Forex traders. Easy-Forex™ offers the following Forex Training

resources:

• This book as well as other Easy-Forex™ books;

• A Guided Tour on the Easy-Forex™ website;

• Technical analysis;

• Fundamental analysis;

• Access to charts, news, outlooks and research, once a trader has

registered with the system;

• Free, live 1-on-1 training online;

• And finally, you can start trading – and learning – for as little as USD 25.

This is your best actual training, and we recommend you view it as

such, “playing small” while you learn the market step-by-step.





Easy-Forex™ not only advises you to start with a small amount of money, but

makes the first step easy for you. However, before you start:

• Carefully read the Terms and Conditions

• We strongly advise that you read the Disclaimers and the Risk Warning

• Remember: Forex is a risky business!





It should not take more that a few trades to familiarize yourself with the

Easy-Forex™ Trading Platform. Ideally, you will start by making a few smaller

trades in order to become familiar with the market and the platform. Only

then should you consider making larger trades.

Learn at your own pace

Learn at your own pace, and learn from the experiences of others, who can

provide insight, analyses and information, and can help you steer clear of the

hazards novices sometimes encounter. Read (and participate in) Forex forums

and reviews which are available in many places on the net.

Now is the time to expand your trading knowledge. Currency markets differ

from other trading markets due to time zone liquidity, specific currency-

related issues, central bank activity, real and nominal interest rate

differentials and more. This is the time to learn to understand these factors.





Learning Forex trading:

Topics you should be familiar with:

• Evaluation of currency trades;

• Developing a market view;

• Using trend analysis indicators;

• Reading and understanding Forex charts;

• Pinpointing advanced support and resistance levels;

• Assessing trading signals;

• Identifying market tops and bottoms;

• Setting price objectives for winning trades;

• Handling Stop-Loss and Take-Profit limits.





Hands-on Forex training

Easy-Forex™ hands-on trading means immediate access to proven trading

techniques you can use to increase profits. Whether you are a short-term,

breakout, range or position trader, Easy-Forex™ experts can help you learn

trading techniques that can maximize your ability to identify low-risk/high-

probability trades. Our training is appropriate for a wide range of Forex

traders, from individuals just starting in the spot currency market, to

experienced professionals.

Like anything in life, you don't really understand it until you jump into it. Get

started on Easy-Forex™, risking as little as USD 25 per trade. Take the Guided

Tour through the training material while you are entering and watching your

first trades - because there's nothing quite like trading while you learn. This is

practical, visual, hands-on training. Plus, it allows the new traders to develop

an understanding of basic trading techniques, risk control, and the opening

and management of a live trading account.

Whether you are an investor who wants to learn Day-Trading for the first

time, or a day trader with stock market or futures trading experience, who

wants to give Forex trading a try, take the first steps with Easy-Forex™. Go

through the basics of the Forex market, experience real time training with

real time trading, take the Guided Tour and then trade. Our training gives

new and experienced traders alike all the necessary tools to start buying and

selling currencies in the foreign exchange market.





Make use of what the Easy-Forex™ Trading Platform offers:

• 24-hr commission-free trading in 14+ currency pairs;

• Web-based trading platform requires no download or installation;

• Guaranteed fills on stops and limits up to USD 2,000,000;

• Free access to charting, news, and research;

• 24-hour customer support via phone and web site;

• Deposits accepted in multiple currencies;

• Credit card, PayPal and Western-Union deposit facilities;

• Straightforward withdrawal procedures.





Don't attempt to trade until you receive the training needed to become a

successful trader. There are substantial earnings to be made in the foreign

currency market, but trading in Forex is for the well-informed.

Easy-Forex™ offers you a first-rate Forex trading platform and an unmatched

degree of service. Obviously, our experts are real people in real offices and

dealing rooms, ready to assist.





Real-time dealers available 24x7

Trading foreign exchange is exciting and potentially very profitable, but there

are also significant risk factors. It is crucial that you fully understand the

implications of margin trading and the particular hazards and opportunities

that foreign exchange trading offers. However, if you are ever in doubt about

any aspects of a trade, you can always discuss the matter in-depth with one of

our dealers. They are available 24 hours a day.

Forex risk management strategies

The Forex market behaves differently from other markets. The speed,

volatility, and enormous size of the Forex market are unlike anything else in

the financial world. Beware: the Forex market cannot be controlled - no

single event, individual, or factor rules it. As such, it is the closest market to

what economists call “a perfect market”! However, just like any other

speculative business, increased risk entails chances for a higher profits as well

as higher losses.





Currency markets are highly speculative and volatile in nature.

Any currency can become very expensive or very cheap in relation to any or

all other currencies in a matter of days, hours, or sometimes, in minutes. The

unpredictable nature of currencies is what attracts an investor to trade and

invest in this market.





Truly ask yourself: "How much am I ready to lose?"

When you terminated, closed or exited your position, had you understood the

risks and taken steps to avoid them?





Some foreign exchange risk management issues

The following may come up in your day-to-day foreign exchange transactions.

• Unexpected corrections in currency exchange rates

• Wild variations in foreign exchange rates

• Volatile markets offering profit opportunities

• Lost payments

• Delayed confirmation of payments and receivables

• Divergence between bank drafts received and the contract price

These are issues every trader should cover, both before and during a trade.





Exit the Forex market at profit targets

Limit orders, also known as Take-Profit orders, allow Forex traders to exit the

Forex market at pre-determined profit targets. If you are short (sold) a

currency pair, the system will only allow you to place a limit order below the

current market price, because this is the profit zone. Similarly, if you are long

(bought) the currency pair, the system will only allow you to place a limit

order above the current market price. Take-Profit orders help create a

disciplined trading methodology and make it possible for traders to walk away

from the computer without continuously monitoring the market.





Control risk by capping losses

Stop-Loss orders allow traders to set an exit point for a losing trade. If you are

short a currency pair, the Stop-Loss order should be placed above the current

market price. If you are long the currency pair, the Stop-Loss order should be

placed below the current market price. Stop-Loss orders help traders control

risk by capping losses. Stop-Loss orders are counter-intuitive because you do

not want them to be hit; however, you will be happy that you placed them.







Be disciplined, don’t be greedy.

Close your Forex position as you originally planned!











Where should I place my Stop-Loss and Take-Profit orders?

As a general rule of thumb, traders should set Stop-Loss orders closer to the

opening price than Take-Profit orders. If this rule is followed, a trader needs

to be right less than 50% of the time to be profitable. For example, a trader

who uses 30 pip Stop-Loss and 100-pip Take-Profit orders, needs to be right

only one-third of the time to make a profit. Where traders place Stop-Loss

and Take-Profit orders will depend on how risk-averse they are. Stop-Loss

orders should not be so tight that normal market volatility triggers the order.

Similarly, Take-Profit orders should reflect a realistic expectation of gains

based on the market's trading activity and the length of time one wants to

hold the position. When initially setting up a trade, it is prudent to look to

change the Stop-Loss and set it at a rate in the “middle ground” where you

are not overexposed to the trade, and at the same time, are not too close to

the market.

Trading foreign currencies is a demanding and potentially profitable

opportunity for trained and experienced investors. However, before deciding

to participate in the Forex market, you should soberly reflect on the desired

result of your investment and your level of experience

Warning! Do not invest money you cannot afford to lose!









There is significant risk in any foreign exchange deal. Any transaction

involving currencies involves risks, including, but not limited to, the potential

for changing political and/or economic conditions, that may substantially

affect the price or liquidity of a currency.

Moreover, the leveraged nature of Forex trading means that any market

movement will have an equally proportional effect on your deposited funds.

This may work against you as well as for you. The possibility exists that you

could sustain a total loss of your initial margin funds and be required to

deposit additional funds to maintain your position. If you fail to meet any

margin call within the time prescribed, your position will be liquidated and

you will be responsible for any resulting losses. “Stop-Loss” or “Take-Profit”

order strategies may lower an investor's exposure to risk.

Easy-Forex™ foreign exchange technology links around-the-clock to the world's

foreign currency exchange trading floors to get the lowest foreign currency

rates and to take every opportunity to make or settle a transaction.





Avoiding/reducing risk when trading Forex:

Trade like a technical analyst does. For the best possible results,

understanding the fundamentals behind an investment also requires

understanding the technical analysis method. When your fundamental and

technical signals point in the same direction, you have a good chance of

having a successful trade, especially with good money management skills. Use

simple support and resistance technical analysis, Fibonacci Retracing and

reversal days.





• Be disciplined;

• Create a position and understand your reasons for having that

position;

• Establish Stop-Loss and Take-Profit levels.





Discipline includes hitting your stops and not following the temptation to stay

with a losing position that has gone through your Stop-Loss level.

A good rule of thumb is: In a bull market, be long or neutral - in a bear

market, be short or neutral. If you forget this rule and trade against the

trend, you will usually cause yourself worries, and frequently, losses.

Never add to a losing position. On the Easy-Forex™ platform, traders can

change their trade orders as many times as they wish free of charge, either as

a Stop-Loss or as a Take-Profit. The trader can also close the trade manually

without a Stop-Loss or Take-Profit order being hit. Many successful traders

update their Stop-Loss price in their “live” positions beyond the rate at which

they made the trade, so that the worst that can happen is that they get

stopped out and still make a profit.



Never invest in Forex what you are not prepared to lose.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

welcome to complete guide to forex trading

Beginners To Proficient just in twelve chapters.

This website has been developed to help the Forex beginner, though experienced and professional traders may find it a handy reference.

Beginners and novice traders are likely to benefit from reading the entire text, starting with Chapter 1, which provides a basic overview of what currency trading is, and how to get started. The chapters are set out in a logical flow, but do not need to be read in order to make sense, as each works as a discrete unit unto itself. With the help of this site, you will soon be ready to start trading Forex – in fact, you can start now



Before Start - Please Remember

Forex trading (OTC Trading) involves substantial risk of loss, and may not be suitable for everyone. Before deciding to undertake such transactions, a user should carefully evaluate whether his/her financial situation is appropriate for such transactions.

Always ask your Forex dealer (the TRADING PLATFORM you wish to trade with) the questions we prepared for you in this book (chapter 9).Selecting the appropriate Forex TRADING PLATFORM is essential for success in handling your trading and monitoring your activity, as well as maximizing profits, while minimizing losses and costs

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Forex trading demo account

FXGame Practice Platform
Practice Forex Trading. It's Free, and Never Times Out.

FXGame is the practice version of FXTrade, OANDA's currency trading platform. Trade under real market conditions with real prices and spreads, for as long as you want.

Familiarize yourself with forex trading at no financial risk. Register and start trading in minutes.
Why Try FXGame?

* It's free to use
* Your FXGame account never expires
* Use a fully functioning, real-time version of the FXTrade platform
* Access news, analysis tools, technical charts and much more.
* It's hassle-free. No pressure, no spam, no phone calls.

Are you new to forex trading and want hands-on learning with no pressure? Or are you an experienced trader needing to test strategies in a risk-free environment? Whatever your reason, an FXGame account is a risk-free alternative. Discover how it can make a difference to your trading style.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

DiNapoli D-Levels™ trading tools

Are you a trader with solid Fibonacci analysis experience? GFT now offers a comprehensive collection of Fibonacci-based indicators, called DiNapoli D-Levels™, for experienced traders who want to apply advanced analysis to their trading strategy. These indicators were created by Joe DiNapoli, a professional trader and the world's leading expert on the application of Fibonacci ratios to forex trading.
Six of the indicators are available as a standard component of GFT's DealBook® 360 trading platform. Traders who subscribe to DiNapoli D-Levels™ obtain access to four additional indicators in the collection: the DiNapoli Oscillator, DiNapoli MACD, DiNapoli Retracement Tool, and DiNapoli Expansion Tool.
Features of DiNapoli D-Levels™:
The system of indicators is modular. They can be used together or selectively.
The complete collection incorporates both leading and lagging indicators.
The indicators display information in a clean and easy-to-read format.
The ratios are connected directly to trading opportunities.
Benefits of DiNapoli D-Levels™:
Application. The theory of Fibonacci is connected directly to trading opportunities, making it easier for traders to use the tools in their trading.
Market direction. Each indicator helps build a clearer picture of trend direction and price momentum.
Changes. Helps traders identify logical support and resistance levels at which pricing trends might change.
Expanding selection. Traders can find more potential trade set ups with stronger data support when layering indicators.
Consistency. Traders build a consistent trading strategy by following the rules and application guidelines of the indicators.
For $80 USD per month traders can add this expansion package to the existing indicators already on the DealBook® 360 trading platform. Click on the subscribe button to include this sophisticated tool to your analysis today.

Dynamic Trend Profile trading tool


A simple way to uncover potential trading set ups.
Quickly select more timely trade set ups for your trading methodology with Dynamic Trend Profile from GFT. This remarkable program consolidates multiple pieces of market information for you. It then displays a graphic representation of current market conditions, with color-coded potential trading opportunities.
Put away your pencil, grab your mouse, and let the computer do the hard work for you! In as few as two screens, you can quickly filter data and find potential trades. The program displays buy and sell signals for each currency pair using a variety of trading time frames. Choose your trades, and execute them directly within DealBook® 360.
Dynamic Trend Profile is easy to learn. Once you view the tutorial, you're ready to explore the program's capabilities.
Prioritize your opportunities and streamline your analysis with Dynamic Trend Profile.

Uses a real-time pricing feed from GFT.
Tracks up to 20 currency pairs simultaneously.
Calculates entry, stop and profit targets automatically.
Identifies potential short (sell) and long (buy) trades with color coding.
Highlights new trade opportunities as they appear.

Fast. Dynamic Trend Profile reduces upfront analysis time. You can focus on the profile's output based on your criteria, rather than digging for your ideal trade setups.
Visual. All data is reduced to a simple visual picture so it is easy to see available set ups.
Flexible. The system is flexible enough to support both long-term and short-term traders.
Simple. Dynamic Trend Profile is easy for traders to use, regardless of experience level.

FX mentor trading tool alerts



Get help with determining what to trade and when to trade it, no matter where you are! FX Mentor™ Alerts takes the most exciting part of our FX Mentor™ trading tool and delivers it right to your inbox. Don't worry about missing great trading opportunities when you're away from your desk!

Noted forex expert and professional trader Dave Floyd tracks roughly 55 currency pairs, analyzing charts and other indicators to find the high-probability trade opportunities. When he finds them, you'll be among the first to know! And best of all, you don't even need to be in front of your computer. FX Mentor™ Alerts will email Dave's trade recommendations to you so you'll have access to them wherever you are.

And for even more flexibility, you can have the emails sent to your mobile phone as text messages! Just follow the instructions in the FX Mentor™ Alerts User Guide you'll receive when you subscribe to turn your mobile phone into a portable forex trade alert service!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Meta Trader 4






MetaTrader 4 is an online trading complex designed to provide broker services to customers at Forex, Futures and CFD markets.This is a whole-cycle complex, which means that you will not need any other software to organize your broker services when using MetaTrader 4.

Data Center is a proxy server and designed as connecting-link between the system server and clients' terminals. It is designed as a Microsoft Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 service and can serve queries of client terminals without carrying them to the real server. Thus, using data centers allows you to eliminate the connection from client terminal to main server.

Enhance the system's ability to change scope and efficiencyData centers can accumulate historical data which can automatically be accessed by traders. Thus, the Data Center processes a historical data query without carrying it to the system server. This reduces the load on MetaTrader 4 Server and so it can attend more traders.
Increase the resistance to DDoS (Distributed Deny of Service) attacksData Centers can perform as connecting server hiding the real IP-address of MetaTrader 4 Server. In this case, if one of the Data Centers is downed as a result of DDoD attack, the main system server will continue working in regular mode. At the same time client terminals that are linked to the address of the downed server, will be automatically redirected to reserve Data Centers.
Saving of trafficUsing Data Centers you minimize incoming dealing hall traffic. The program downloads data that are common for all traders in the hall: quotations, news and historic data. In this case, the amount of Internet traffic is independent to the number of traders connected to the Data Center

Technical analysis is research of market dynamics that is done mainly with the help of charts and with the purpose of forecasting future price development. Technical analysis comprises several approaches to the study of price movement which are interconnected in the framework of one harmonious theory. This type of analysis studies the price movement on the market by means of analyzing three market factors: price, volumes, and, in case of study of futures contracts’ market, of an open interest (number of open positions). Of these three factors the primary one for technical analysis is the prices, while the alterations in other factors are studies mainly in order to confirm the correctness of the identified price trend. This technical theory, just like any theory, has its core postulates.
Technical analysts base their research on the following three axioms:
Market movement considers everythingThis is the most important postulate of technical analysis. It is crucial to understand it in order to grasp rightly the procedures of analysis. The gist of it is that any factor that influences the price of securities, whether economic, political, or psychological, has already been taken into account and reflected in the price chart. In other words, every price change is accompanied by a change in external factors. The main inference of this premise is the necessity to follow closely the price movements and analyze them. By means of analyzing price charts and multiple other indicators, a technical analyst comes to the point that the market itself shows to her/him the trend it will most likely follow.This premise is in conflict with fundamental analysis where the attention is primarily paid to the study of factors, and later on, after the analysis of the factors, to conclusions as to the market trends are made. Thus, if the demand is higher than the supply, a fundamental analyst will come to the conclusion that the price will grow. Technical analyst, however, makes her/his conclusions in the opposite sequence: since the price has grown, it means the demand is higher than the supply.
The prices move with the trendThis assumption is the basis for all methods of technical analysis, as a market that moves in accordance with trends can be analyzed, unlike a chaotic market. The postulate that the price movement is a result of a trend has two effects. The first one implies that the current trend will most likely continue and will not reverse itself, thus, excluding disorderly chaotic movement of the market. The second one implies that the current trend will go on until the opposite trend sets in.
The history repeats itselfTechnical analysis and studies of market dynamics are closely related to the studies of human psychology. Thus, the graphical price models identified and classified within the last hundred years depict core characteristics of the psychological state of the market. First of all, they show the moods currently prevailing in the market, whether bullish or bearish. Since these models worked in the past, we have reasons to suppose that they will work in the future, for they are based on human psychology which remains almost unchaged over years. We can reword the last postulate — the story repeats itself — in a slightly different way: the key to understanding the future lies in the studies of the past.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Money Market vs. Certificate of Deposit


One of the biggest questions investors face is, "what do I do with my cash when I'm in-between investments?". This article seeks to examine two of the most popular choices - certificates of deposits and money markets - and weighs the pros and cons of each.
In the left corner: certificates of depositCertificates of deposit (or CDs for short) are debt instruments issued by banks and other financial institutions to investors. In exchange for lending the institution money for a predetermined length of time, the investor is paid a set rate of interest. Maturities on certificates of deposit can range from only a few weeks to several years with the interest rate earned by the investor increasing in proportion to the time his capital is tied up in the investment.

Pros: The investor can calculate his expected earnings at the outset of the investment. Certificates of deposited are FDIC insured for up to $100,000 and offer an easy solution for the elderly who desire only to maintain their capital for the remainder of their life.
Cons: If the investor opts for a longer maturity and, thus, higher rate of interest, he will lose access to his funds and forgo alternative uses of his capital.
In the right corner: money marketsMoney markets, on the other hand, offer many of the same benefits as certificates of deposit with the added features of a checking account. Technically speaking, a money market is more or less a mutual fund that attempts to keep its share price at a constant $1. Professional money managers will take the funds deposited in the money market and invest them in government t-bills, savings bonds, certificates of deposit, and other safe and conservative financial instruments. This income is then paid out to the owners of the money market.
Investors can open a money market account at most financial institutions. They generally receive a checkbook with which they can draw upon funds in the account.
Pros: Depositing money in a money market is as easy as depositing cash into a savings or checking account. Cash is immediately available for alternative investments.
Cons: Some financial institutions place a limit on the number of checks that can be drawn against the account in any given month. The rate of interest is directly proportional to the investor's level of deposited assets, not to maturity as is the case with certificates of deposit. Hence, money markets are disproportionately beneficial to wealthier investors.
The verdictAlthough both can be useful, for those who need access to their capital, money markets are far superior. Many brokerage houses automatically sweep their customer’s uninvested cash into money markets to earn interest between investments. This is the ideal solution if you regularly invest because the funds can be used immediately to purchase stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.

Secured Credit Card Marketing Scams




ANYONE CAN QUALIFY FOR A MAJOR CREDIT CARD!
Separated? Divorced? Bankrupt? Widowed?
BAD CREDIT? NO CREDIT?
NO PROBLEM!
900-555-1111
Make the call NOW and get the credit you deserve!
Even if you’ve been turned down before, you owe it to yourself and your family.
Your major credit card is waiting.
Ads like this may appeal to you if you have a poor credit history or no credit at all. Beware: while secured credit cards can be an effective way to build or re-establish your credit history, some marketers of secured cards make deceptive advertising claims to entice you to respond to their ads.
Secured vs. Unsecured Cards
Secured and unsecured cards can be used to pay for goods and services. However, a secured card requires you to open and maintain a savings account as security for your line of credit; an unsecured card does not.
The required savings deposit for a secured card may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Your credit line is a percentage of your deposit, typically 50 to 100 percent. Usually, a bank will pay interest on your deposit. In addition, you also may have to pay application and processing fees — sometimes totaling hundreds of dollars. Before you apply, be sure to ask what the total fees are and whether they will be refunded if you’re denied a card. Typically, a secured card requires an annual fee and has a higher interest rate than an unsecured card.
Deceptive Ads and Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against companies that deceptively advertise major credit cards through television, newspapers, and postcards. The ads may offer unsecured credit cards, secured credit cards, or not specify a card type. The ads usually lead you to believe you can get a card simply by calling the number listed. Sometimes the number is not toll-free. A ‘900’ number service, for which you are billed just for making the call, may instruct you to give your name and address to receive a credit application, or give you a list of banks offering secured cards. It also may tell you to call another ‘900’ number — at an additional charge — for more information.
Deceptive ads often leave out important information.
The cost of the ‘900’ call — which can range from $2 to $50 or more;
The required security deposit, application, and processing fees;
Eligibility requirements like income or age;
An annual fee or the fact that the secured card has a higher than average interest rate on any balance.
How to Avoid the Scam
To avoid being victimized, look for the following signs:
Offers of easy credit. No one can guarantee to get you credit. Before deciding whether to give you a credit card, legitimate credit providers examine your credit report.
A call to a ‘900’ number for a credit card. You pay for calls with a ‘900’ prefix — and you may never receive a credit card.
Credit cards offered by “credit repair” companies or “credit clinics.” These businesses also may offer to clean-up your credit history for a fee. However, you can correct genuine mistakes or outdated information yourself by contacting credit bureaus directly. Remember that only time and good credit habits will restore your credit worthiness.
Credit Reporting
If you’re considering a secured card as a way to build or re-establish a credit record, make sure the issuer reports to a credit bureau. Your credit history is maintained by companies called credit bureaus; they collect information reported to them by banks, mortgage companies, department stores, and other creditors. If your card issuer doesn’t report to a bureau, the card won’t help you build a credit history.
For More Information
To build a credit record, you may want to apply for a charge card or a small loan at a local store or lending institution. Ask if the creditor reports transactions to a credit bureau. If they do — and if you pay back your debts regularly — you will build a good credit history.
If you cannot get credit on your own, you can ask a relative or friend with a good credit history to act as your cosigner. The cosigner promises to repay the debt if you don’t.
If you’re having problems paying bills, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. Non-profit organizations in every state counsel consumers who are in debt. Counselors try to arrange a repayment plan that is acceptable to you and your creditors. They also can help you set up a realistic budget. These counseling services are offered at little or no cost to consumers. You can find the office nearest you by checking the White Pages of your telephone directory.
Sometimes, non-profit counseling programs are operated by universities, military bases, credit unions, and housing authorities. They are likely to charge little or nothing for their services. Or you can check with your local bank or consumer protection office to see if it has a list of reputable low-cost financial counseling services.
Where To Complain
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.govor call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

India Insurance (Indian Insurance, Indian Insurance Sector)

India insurance is a flourishing industry, with several national and international players competing to excel. With several reforms and policy regulations, the Indian insurance sector has witnessed tremendous growth in the recent past.

India Insurance: History

The history of the Indian insurance sector dates back to 1818, when the Oriental Life Insurance Company was formed in Kolkata. A new era began in the India insurance sector, with the passing of the Life Insurance Act of 1912.

The Indian Insurance Companies Act was passed in 1928. This act empowered the government of India to gather necessary information about the life insurance and non-life insurance organizations operating in the Indian financial markets.

The Triton Insurance Company Ltd formed in 1850 and was the first of its kind in the general insurance sector in India. Established in 1907, Indian Mercantile Insurance Limited was the first company to handle all forms of India insurance.

Indian Insurance: Sector Reform

Formation of the Malhotra Committee in 1993 initiated reforms in the Indian insurance sector. The aim of the Malhotra Committee was to assess the functionality of the Indian insurance sector. This committee was also in charge of recommending the future path of insurance in India.

The Malhotra Committee attempted to improve various aspects of the insurance sector, making them more appropriate and effective for the Indian market.

The recommendations of the committee put stress on offering operational autonomy to the insurance service providers and also suggested forming an independent regulatory body.



The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act of 1999 brought about several crucial policy changes in the insurance sector of India. It led to the formation of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) in 2000.
The goals of the IRDA are to safeguard the interests of insurance policyholders, as well as to initiate different policy measures to help sustain growth in the Indian insurance sector.

Accounting norm changes help major cos boost earnings

Accounting norm changes help major cos boost earnings
Benefit of option to capitalise/amortise differences in forex rates.

Walking stick

Profits of Tata Motors, M&M and Sterlite Industries would have been lower but for the amendment

JSW Steel, Bharat Forge and Ashok Leyland may have slipped into losses in FY-09 if the new option had not been exercised


Relaxations in AS 11, the Accounting Standard that deals with the ‘effects of changes in foreign exchange rates’, may have helped quite a few large companies report a better profit picture for March 2009.

Even as top financial companies in the US are said to have benefited from a less stringent Accounting Standard that allows flexibility in mark-to-market accounting, some of the leading Indian companies such as Tata Motors, JSW Steel, Sterlite Industries, Ashok Leyland and Bharat Forge have come up with an improved earnings picture in March 2009 as a result of the amendment to AS 11 and some could even have slipped in to losses in FY-09 had they not chosen to adopt the changes.

Change in AS 11

AS 11, in its original form, required companies to report their foreign currency monetary items based on the closing exchange rate at the end of an accounting period. The gain/loss arising from the exchange difference had to be recognised in the profit and loss account.

With corporate India carrying significant foreign currency loans, companies suffered mark-to-market losses on such restatement especially over the past year, when the rupee saw significant depreciation, expanding the loan value in rupee terms. Although notional, this resulted in depressed earnings.

To grant some temporary relief to corporates, the amendment made to AS 11 on March 31, provided an option to capitalise/amortise the exchange differences on long-term foreign currency monetary items (typically overseas borrowings). This provision, effective with retrospective effect from December 2006, would be available up to FY-11.

Following this amendment, companies with forex loans can now adjust the loss or gain arising from currency fluctuation by adding to or deducting from the cost of fixed asset, if such borrowing were incurred for acquiring the asset. The treatment, in essence, would help bypass the P&L account and make adjustments directly in the balance sheet, thus providing immediate relief to earnings.

Take the case of Tata Motors. The company, in its notes to accounts, has stated that its net profits for the full year were higher by Rs 418 crore as a result of opting for the amendment. The company’s reported net profits for the year were Rs 1,001 crore. It’s per share earnings of Rs 22.7 would have been lower by as much as 40 per cent had it recorded the fluctuation in its P&L.

For others such as JSW Steel, Ashok Leyland and Bharat Forge, the change in accounting practice may have been a blessing in disguise atleast for FY-09 as it reduced or averted losses.

For Bharat Forge, consolidated net profits of Rs 58.2 crore for FY-09 could have slipped to losses of Rs 110 crore, had the company charged the MTM losses to its P&L. It is to be noted that the amendments are with retrospective effect from FY-07; their impact, therefore, appears significant especially in the general reserve.

While the relief comes after prolonged depreciation in the rupee over the past year, the rupee has been appreciating against the dollar in recent times. The rupee gained as much as 9.3 per cent from its low of Rs 51.9 in March.

If this scenario persists, would companies choose to once again record any exchange gains in the P&L account?

They would not; corporates do not have a choice to opt out once they choose the amended version. This is perhaps why companies such as Larsen & Toubro and Ranbaxy Laboratories have chosen to retain the old AS 11.

Forex reserves rise $6.432 b

Mumbai, May 29 The country’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $6.432 billion for the week ended May 22 to $260.639 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s Weekly Statistical Supplement.

In the week ended May 15, forex reserves had declined by $1.734 billion to $254.207 billion.

The rise in reserves is due to the weakness of the dollar against other currencies such as euro and the RBI purchasing dollars to help exporters, said a forex dealer with a public sector bank.

The week under consideration saw the rupee appreciating on the positive sentiment after the Congress UPA won the general elections with a decisive mandate and tracking the huge gains made by the Sensex. The domestic currency had even touched 46.90 against the dollar.

The foreign currency assets increased by $6.411 billion to $250.165 billion. Foreign currency assets expressed in US dollar terms include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies, such as yen, sterling and euro.

The euro gained from $1.3436 at the beginning of the week to $1.3916 at the end of the week, against the dollar. During the week, the euro touched a five-month high of $1.3957.

Gold and SDRs were unchanged at $9.231 billion and $1 million respectively.

The country’s reserve position in the IMF increased by $21 million to $1.242 billion.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Easy Forex

Gold Investments

Gold has been used for investments for a very long time. It has a high value and is an independent resource. It is not subject to individual countries or trading markets. It is not connected to companies or governments. For these reasons, investment in gold can usually help an investor to avoid some problems that can happen in the economic environment.

Gold investment can mean investing in gold bars, gold coins, and even gold jewelry. Many different sorts of gold accounts are available in the investment world.
Gold markets
The gold market is a worldwide market. London and New York are the two biggest market places for gold in the world. Gold markets operate like other investment markets, similar to the stock exchange. Buying and selling happens every day with prices influenced by economic conditions within the markets.
The price of gold
Like any other market resource, the price of gold is decided by supply and demand. Gold has always been a valuable resource. People will often store supplies of gold during times of economic inflation. Political fighting and wars will also make people store gold. Storing gold makes supply short and demand strong – the price goes up.
Making profit from gold
Some investors believe they can make profit from gold when the price is rising. If they buy, the price will go higher and they can sell for a profit.

Another way a trader can invest is to sell gold when they believe that gold prices will go down. They can sell gold in some markets (like in the Forex market), without “having” the gold, and buy it back later-on. If they are right, they would make a profit.

Other investors think that it is better to buy gold even when the price of gold is going down. They believe that the price will rise again later on, and then they will make bigger profit when it does rise.
Gold and market risk
Gold is subject to market risk just like other currencies and goods in the market. Usually, gold has less volatility (movements up and down in value) than currencies. However, gold has been quite volatile during the past years.

As an investment, gold has different properties from other investments. Investor interest in the gold market is traditionally strong which makes liquidity in the market high compared to some other forms of trading. High liquidity means that there is a better chance of finding a buyer when you want to sell, and finding a seller when you want to buy.

In the gold market, people can invest in coins and bars, jewelry, futures and options, exchange traded funds, even gold certificates. Gold can be traded more quickly and at more narrow spreads than many other trading goods.
Gold and the Forex market
In the Forex market, gold can be a protection against the US dollar. If the US dollar increases in value, the gold price decreases; if the US dollar decreases, gold increases. With this knowledge, investors can use gold trading as a way of balancing their profit and loss against the US dollar.

Market conditions change but, in the long term, gold keeps its purchasing power. Its value, in terms of the real goods and services that it can buy, has remained firm. The purchasing power of many currencies has generally decreased because of the impact of rising prices for goods and services.

As a result, some investors buy gold to balance the effects of inflation and currency value changes. In Forex trading, buying and selling gold is usually done by investors not for the long run, but rather for speculation reasons. In the Forex market one can buy gold (XAU) and sell it after a few hours, trying to profit from the small fluctuations (moves) in the gold price.

UK forex-Get started

How do I transfer funds with UKForex?

Dealing with us is simple. You register on the website and then log in. When logged in you can get quotes, add beneficiary details and book deals/funds transfers. After you register, a UKForex representative will call you to discuss your transfer(s) and make sure the system is set up correctly for your needs. You will also be able to ask any questions you may have about the service and process at this time. You can lock in rates prior to us having your funds for currencies if we can receive funds overnight or you leave a small deposit. If it will take longer for funds to reach us, it is better to send the funds to us prior to booking the exchange rate. Once we have the funds, you will be advised and can then lock in the exchange rate.

Please note we do not support transfers in Indian Rupees, Indonesian Rupiah, Phillipine Peso, Thai Baht, Pakastini Rupee, Iraqi Dinar (and a number of other currencies) at this stage.

Benefits of using UKForex

No bank queues

One of the great things about our service is that you can complete an international transfer without leaving your office or home. We give you a variety of ways to get your funds to us so we can send the international transfer as quickly as possible.

Unbeatable rates & low fees ? Yes please!

Not only do we take the hassle out of your international transfers but we do it with low (or often no!) fees. We charge a maximum fee of GBP£ 7 for payments, and will waive the fee altogether on transactions that exceed GBP£ 3000 per beneficiary. Click here for more details on fees.

Exchange rates - a simple guarantee. We will not be beaten!

There is no need to shop around, our rates will be good straight up.

Security of your money

The safety of your money is an important consideration when deciding which provider you use to send money internationally. UKForex offers a safe and regulated alternative to the banks for transferring funds. Our business effectively transits money from customer to beneficiary via leading financial institutions. We do not pay out client transfers until clients have paid UKForex which means we have no settlement risk on transfers. As we do not carry any overnight market risk, unlike some other providers, we do not suffer losses resulting from exchange rate movements and so you can feel comfortable that your transfer will reach the recipient on time, every time. Your funds are held in accounts with major financial institutions and are only released once your outward payment has been sent. UKForex is a trusted provider to thousands of customers world-wide who have enjoyed the benefits of excellent rates and low fees without compromising on service.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Home Equity Line Of Credit



Home Equity Line of Credit is abbreviated as HELOC. This refers to a loan in which the lender agrees to lend a maximum amount within an agreed period. This differs from standard loans or a reverse mortgage because the borrower is not advanced the entire sum up front, but uses the line of credit to borrow sums totaling no more than the amount.

A Home Equity Line of Credit in many ways is similar to a credit card. At closing you are assigned a specified credit limit that you may borrow up to (this is not a check).

A draw period usually lasts anywhere from 5 to 25 years and allows you to borrow HELOC funds whenever you feel the need; you're only required to pay back the amount you use plus interest.

What's nice about the home equity line of credit is that often, you are only required to pay the interest until the end of the draw period. At the end of the draw period, you'll have to do one of the following:

* Pay back the full principal HELOC amount borrowed
* Pay a Home Equity Line of Credit balloon payment
* Pay based on a loan amortization schedule.

HELOC vs. Conventional Loan

HELOC's differ from a conventional loans in that the interest rate on a home equity line of credit is variable depending on an index (Prime Rate for example). In plain terms, this means your interest rate will most likely change over time!

What makes a Home Equity Line of Credit so popular is that interest paid is usually deductible under federal and most state income tax laws; this makes that cost of borrowing money not as high!

Sounds easy, so why doesn't everyone do it? Most people are doing HELOC's and most can't afford it! These people are considered to be Upside Down – a term used to describe someone who owes more on their home than it's worth (much like a car :)

Here is the catch! You owe $80,000 on your home loan and your house is worth $90,000 on the open market. You decide to apply for home equity Line of Credit and the banker asks you what you would like the loan for - That's right! Most of the time, you can ask for more than your home is worth, say $110,000 and almost always, you'll get the loan.
$30,000 to Invest

Now you have $30,000 and live the life for awhile, perhaps a new boat, car or vacation. Then comes the day you need to sell your home but it's only worth $90,000 and you need $110,000 plus the realtor fee of $7,700 (7%), so you put the house on the market for $117,700 and it never sells, payments become late and worse case scenario, you have a foreclosure on your hands! See for yourself, check out our Mortgage Calculator!
HELOC – Not always bad!

A Home Equity Line of Credit can be good or bad depending on how you use it. There are 10 things savvy home owners should look for when considering a Home Equity Line Of Credit:

1) No HELOC application fee or at least the fee should be refunded at closing. If your lender assesses an application fee, make sure it's refundable at closing.

2) No home loan appraisal or closing costs - there are plenty of no-cost options available that you shouldn't have to pay a HELOC appraisal fee.

3) No HELOC account maintenance or check-writing fees - Lenders already make money when you write checks (read - borrow) on the home equity credit line. If your lender tries this, dump him!

4) No "usage" fees – Apparently, HELOC lenders don't approve of the notion that a homeowner may want to have a HELOC as an emergency "reserve" account. Definitely look for a lender that does not charge this type of fee.

5) Variable APR equal to or near the prime rate (adjusted quarterly) – Interest charged on the balanced borrowed should be the only cost involved with a good home equity credit line!

6) Periodic cap on interest rate changes (the amount that the rate can be changed at one time) - Look for a Home Equity Line of Credit that adjusts quarterly (rather than monthly) in increments of 0.5% or less.

7) Lifetime cap on rate increases (the amount that the rate can be adjusted over the loan's life) - You'll want to find a HELOC loan with a lifetime rate cap that you can live with. Ask your loan officer to clearly spell out the "worst case" scenario for HELOC rate increases!

8) Ability to convert to a fixed rate loan - When rates do rise, people often get skittish about their variable-rate debt. A useful feature to look for in a HELOC loan is the ability to convert the line of credit to a standard fixed-rate, fixed-term home equity loan.

9) Interest-only payments allowed – Get this option but only use it if you need to! It's always best to pay down the principle, not just interest!

10) Unrestricted ability to repay principal without penalty – You should be able to pay off the Home Equity Line of Credit at any time without paying extra!

Enjoy these ten basic tips and now, more than ever, be careful! There are a lot of shady deals out there and if you don't take your time reviewing the fine print, it will come back to bite you! Also make sure the pay close attention to any PMI that are presented.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Managing risk in today’s world

One of the telling stories in the sub-prime saga is about how Citigroup’s former CEO woke up to the bank’s problems. In September 2007, Chuck

Prince asks his CFO, Thomas Maheras, if everything was ok. Yes, everything is fine, Maheras reassures him.

That’s what Maheras has been saying for a while. Rather belatedly, it occurs to Prince to get the position double-checked. A risk management group is asked to examine the bank’s mortgage-related holdings. The truth soon comes tumbling out and Citigroup announces billions of dollars in losses.

So, is this how one of the top banks in the world managed risk? By relying on the word of one executive? According to a story in the International Herald Tribune, the senior risk officer and Maheras’ deputy were close pals, so the hard questions were not asked. That says something about the culture of the bank. If a man at the top keeps quiet, nobody else is supposed to ask questions.

At , the CEO, Richard Fuld, left risk management to a trusted deputy, Joe Gregory. Gregory apparently relied on ‘instinct’, not hard analysis, when it came to managing risk. A senior executive, steeped for years in the real estate business, warns him that things are getting out of hand. Gregory’s ‘instinct’ tells him he should get rid of the troublesome guy. Fuld goes along. The rest, as they, is history.

Just think of it. Citigroup had over $2 trillion in assets; Lehman Brothers $640 billion. And the decisions on risk or even information about risk exposures were confined to two or three people! Leave aside the board, even the people working in these firms had no clue what they had got into.

The problem with firms in distress today was not just that they had the wrong risk management models. It was not lack of talent either. It was that life-and-death decisions about risk were concentrated in a few people at the top. Autocratic decision-making is what destroyed many of the biggest financial firms in the world.

So let’s get this straight: risk management is not about fancy models or employing rocket scientists. It is an aspect of firm governance. If risk is to be properly managed, it is absolutely essential, first, that a large number of people within the firm should be involved in the risk-taking decisions. An even larger number should have the information on risk exposures.

When you see how the mighty have fallen in the present crisis, you begin to understand why a firm’s processes need to be democratic, why it is necessary to actively foster diversity and dissent. Doing so is not a matter of practising virtue.

It is simply a condition for a firm’s long-run performance. That was the theme of a magnificent business book that came out in 2004, The Wisdom of Crowds (James Surowiecki). And yet, as the failures in the present crisis clearly show, the modern firm remains one of the most undemocratic institutions in the world.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Rupee rebounds to 49.25 against dollar

Mumbai: The Indian rupee pulled back from early lows on Friday, tracking a drop in the dollar index, and traders watched the stock market for direction on fund flows.

At 10:40 a.m., the partially convertible rupee was at 49.25/26 per dollar, off an early low of 49.40 and little changed from 49.28/29 at close on Thursday when it rose to 49.2250 during trade, its strongest since Feb. 17.

"There is a lot of momentum in the stock market. Expectations are that foreigners would keep bringing in funds, which is helping the rupee," a senior dealer with a foreign bank said.

"But a lot would depend on the election results, only then would markets get a clear direction," he added.

The results of India's month-long national elections, which are currently underway, are due on May 16.

Indian shares were trading little changed after rallying about 50 per cent from their 2009 low in early March.

Foreign funds have bought a net $1.5 billion of local shares in April, and pumped in a further $575 million in the first three days this week, data showed.

The inflow has helped the rupee rebound nearly 6 per cent from its record low of 52.2 touched on March 3.

The dollar index, a gauge of the US unit's performance versus majors, was 0.1 per cent lower after having risen more than 0.3 per cent earlier.

One-month offshore non-deliverable forward contracts were quoting at 49.25/35, unchanged from the onshore spot rate, indicating an optimistic outlook for the rupee.


अमेरिकी कर प्रस्ताव चिंता का कारण नहीं











ay 10, 05:31 pm

नई दिल्ली। आउटसोर्सिंग कारोबार में लगीं भारतीय कंपनियों को अमेरिका के प्रस्तावित कर प्रावधान से ज्यादा चिंतित होने की आवश्यकता नहीं है। विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि कर प्रस्ताव का भारतीय कंपनियों पर खास असर पड़ने की संभावना नहीं है।

उन्होंने कहा कि अगर ओबामा प्रशासन कर प्रस्ताव को लागू करता है तो अन्य देशों से कारोबार की आउटसोर्सिंग करने वाली अमेरिकी कंपनियों की कर देयता में 10 फीसदी तक की बढ़ोतरी हो सकती है। लेकिन यह बढ़ा हुआ बोझ उन कंपनियों को ज्यादा परेशान करेगा जो भारत में स्थित अपनी अनुषंगियों द्वारा कारोबार कराती हैं।

अन्‌र्स्ट एंड यंग के कर निदेशक राजेन्द्र नायक ने कहा, 'जो कंपनियां तीसरे पक्ष से कारोबार आउटसोर्स करती हैं, उनका कारोबार प्रभावित नहीं होगा, लेकिन जिन कंपनियों का भारत में स्थाई उद्यम है या वे अपना कारोबार भारत स्थित अनुषंगियों से कराती हैं उन्हें ज्यादा नुकसान होगा।'

नायक ने कहा कि ओबामा की प्रस्तावित कर पहल के कई पहलू हैं जिन्हें व्यक्तिगत तौर पर कंपनियों को देखना पड़ेगा।


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Indian IT professionals upset with Obama

BANGALORE: Indian IT professionals on Tuesday slammed President Barack Obama's move to end tax incentives for US companies that ship jobs to

Top Indian outsourcing cos
Nine trends for IT in 2009
Cities that are IT hubs
countries like India, saying it will neither benefit the US nor its corporate sector.

"Obama's latest move was expected, but unwelcome at a time when Bangalore's IT and BPO sectors are already reeling under the global economic meltdown," said Padma Nair, 26, an IT-professional working for a Bangalore-based American company.

"Obama's new policy is not going to benefit anyone, neither the outsourcing companies nor the country the job is outsourced to. The cost saved in outsourcing
is higher than that saved by tax exemption," Nair told media.

Expressing a similar view, Shankar Banerjee, 25, a quality analyst working for another American IT company, said if Obama's proposal is pushed through, it will hit business coming India's way and many Indians would lose their jobs.

"IT and BPO companies in India have already suffered due to the slowdown. A lot of people have lost jobs. Obama's latest move will cause more problems," added
Banerjee.

The comments came after President Obama said Monday that the current US tax system gave US-based multinationals that shipped jobs to places like India an unfair advantage over other domestic rivals and wanted corrective steps.

"It's a tax code that says you should pay lower taxes if you create a job in Bangalore, India, than if you create one in Buffalo, New York," Obama said, explaining why he intended to close tax loopholes and crackdown on overseas tax havens.

"I want to see our companies remain the most competitive in the world. But the way to make sure that happens is not to reward our companies for moving jobs off our shores or transferring profits to overseas tax havens."

According to the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), the US accounts for about 60 percent of India's software services export revenue. Bangalore-based firms account for one-third of this.

A recent study by the association, conducted along with McKinsey, shows the Indian software and outsourcing industry employs some two million people, earning total revenues worth $52 billion, of which nearly $48 billion comes from exports.

American IT companies that have set up offices in Bangalore include Accenture, Microsoft, Amazon, AOL, Cisco, Dell, IBM and Intel.

An estimated 600,000 people are employed in Bangalore's software and outsourcing sectors. And industry professionals say many could lose their jobs following Obama's latest move.

UNITES-Professionals India, a trade union for IT enabled services sector, predicts 50,000 employees in India will be handed the pink slip over the next few months. Bangalore, hailed as India's Silicon Valley, could be the worst affected.

Concurred Sumana Prasad, 32, an IT employee working for an Indian company: "The slowdown has already hit Bangalore's IT and BPO companies. Obama's latest step will affect more people."

sorce;economic times

Crude may touch $58-60; US dollar, inventory data eyed

MUMBAI: After nose-diving from a peak of $147 to $ 33 per barrel, crude oil is again displaying a good show of strength. The US crude oil future
oil.jpg
World's top oil exporting countries
World's top 10 oil producers
World's largest refining companies
was trading above $54 a barrel, to a five month high, on improved optimism about an economic recovery. Encouraging data from China and US housing and construction data fuelled hopes that the US economy is stabilizing.

“Crude oil has finally breached the long consolidation pattern on good volumes. Crude closed positive on a month-on-month basis, indicating the continuation of ongoing bullish trend. The momentum is supporting bulls, as the KST cycle turned positive on the daily chart and the same is already positive on the weekly chart,” said a report of Sharekhan.

According to Sameer Mehta, analyst at Connoisseur Wealth Management, “West Texas Crude has breakout above the flag continuation pattern. This upward breakout would offer a target of $70. Downward breakout, though less likely, but would test primary support at $35.”

“The likely target of this current up-move is initially the recent swing high-around $54.65. Once that is breached, crude could test $58-60, which is 23.6% retracement of the entire fall from its all-time high. On the downside, $48 will act as immediate resistance,” Sharekhan added in report.

source:economic times

Saturday, May 2, 2009

About credit cards

A credit card is basically a service provided by banks to customers who may or may not be having accounts with them. As the name suggests, they are meant to give credit to the user. With a credit card, users can shop for commodities, consumer goods, fuel, automobiles, and practically everything under the sun, at stores where credit cards are accepted, without paying any interest. One can also avail cash on credit for an interest rate from his credit card via the bank’s ATM. The affiliations for credit cards are with two international bodies, VISA and Master Card, which are basically economic joint ventures of more than 20,000 financial institutions each, with the former having a better acceptability in our country. Credit cards trace their history way back to 1914, and have become a necessity for millions across the world.

The most essential term one should be familiar with is a billing cycle. This refers to the time span when you can purchase goods on credit, and pay later. As a standard, the billing cycle of credit cards in India is of 45 days. This means that if my billing cycle starts at 1st March, I can purchase a T-Shirt on that date and pay for it 45 days later, i.e., 14th April. However, the purchase period, i.e., the period in which you can actually purchase is of 30 days. Hence, I would be billed for my purchases uptil 30th March and start off on a fresh purchase period starting the next day, for which I would be billed in the next cycle.

Another term to be familiar with is the grace period. Usually, banks offer a grace period after you bill is due, before charging the interest, which is actually an advantage in case of emergencies. One should always go for the card fofeing the longest grace period.

The credit limit signifies the amount of credit you can avail in one billing cycle. Banks generally have different categories of credit cards to indicate the same. The ranking goes like this ; Silver (standard, lowest credit), Gold (higher credit), Platinum(highest credit). Banks usually assign these categories based on one's paying capabilities according to their parameters.

There are often many additional charges such as membership fees, annual fees, renewal fees, etc. One should always check for these while making a choice between different options, since these charges, though trivial at first, sum up to a huge amount over the due course of time.

The interest rate (APR) that would be charged by banks is also very important. Generally, companies charge between 2-3% per month. One should always go for the card having the minimum APR.

Advantages

* First of all, they rule out the necessity of carrying extra cash, as they are accepted almost everywhere now, which in turn results in instant cash or credit in case of an urgent requirement.
* Credit cards give a grace period for payment, which means that even if one does not have cash even in his bank account, he can make purchases and pay for them later.
* Credit cards are handy, and can be carried anywhere with ease. While this might not be a significant advantage in words, it is extremely beneficial in practical usage.


Disadvantages

* Credit cards frequently lead to spontaneous buying decisions, which are often unaffordable. Since the user rarely keeps a check on how much has been spent prior to every transaction, credit bills are often more than expected.
* Credit cards, if used to avail cash, come at an enormous interest rate of 35-40%.
* There are security issues also; Credit cards, if stolen, could be used to do fraudulent purchases, and billed to the owners’ account, if proper action is not take on time.


A few points to be taken care of while handling credit cards

* Never reveal your credit card number to anybody. While shopping online, ensure that the source is credible and your account details would not be leaked.
* Sign your credit card as soon as it arrives. This would minimise its use to some extent in case of theft.
* Verify the purchases with your credit card when the bill arrives. Always keep a record of all your transactions. The most effective way would be to store your copy of the transaction slip.
* If the credit card is damaged or has expired, be sure to dispose it properly, after cutting it in two or more pieces with a pair of scissors
* If your credit card is lost or stolen, inform the police as well as the credit card company.

Home Loan Information & Eligibility

Having a home of one's own is always a dream for many. We help you realise this dream by offering you home loan options from a wide range of financial institutions. A home loan, as the name suggests, refers to a loan taken for the purchase or construction of a living space. Quite obviously, you would want to avail the maximum amount at the minimum rate possible, which is why we, at PaisaWaisa.com, are here to help you.

Currently, there are many loan providers in the market which are offering home loans at various interest rates. However, not all deals would serve your needs, and one must do thorough market research before taking a decision. Reading the terms and conditions carefully, deciding whether to take loans at a floating rate basis or a fixed rate one, how much loan amount to take, for what period of time to take it, these are some of the questions that must be answered before applying anywhere. For instance, Bank A might give you a loan of 15 lacs at an interest of 15% for 3 years, and Bank B might give you the same loan at an interest of 18% for 7 years. It is now up to you to decide which offer to accept, since it depends entirely on your repaying capacity.


There exists several unique features of Home Loans:-

* Purpose of availing the loan amount- One must be crystal clear about the purpose behind taking home loan.
* One must keep in mind whether the house needs to be purchased from the builder or whether he wants to take up loan facility for extension of existing house.
* Loan amount:- Depending on the eligibility, income and repaying capacity, one can avail the loan amount ranging from Rs 2 lac to Rs200 lac.
* Security- Home loan is a type of secured loan. One needs to place collateral against the loan amount.
* Tenure of Home Loan- Home loan can be availed for a maximum of 25 years.

Types of Home Loans

Depending on the interest rate regime offered by various banks , you can choose the one which best suits your tastes and preferences.

* Fixed interest rate loans - Under this type of home loan, bank charges the same amount of interest rate throughout the tenure of loan. However, the disadvantage is that the borrower is subject to market risk. Generally fixed interest rate loans are costlier than floating interest rate loans. Availing this type of loan facility is beneficial only when there is expectation that the interest rates will have an upward revision in the near future.
* Floating interest rate loans - Floating interest rates home loans are subject to market conditions and hence they are constantly revised by the banks. These loans are generally called as adjustable rate home loans as the interest rates vary throughout the entire tenure. Floating rates are beneficial only if the interest rates falls in the future.

One can switch to floating interest rate from fixed interest rate or vice-versa as and when the rates go in your favor.

Other Costs

Apart from paying interest rates and EMIs, there are several other costs which need to be bear by the customer while taking up the home loan facility. Recently, the banks have made it mandatory for the borrowers of the loan amount to get the home, insured in order to safeguard their interest. There are other cost factors like processing fee, administration fee, valuation fee, legal fee etc which needs to be paid at the time of application. Certain other costs needs to be taken care of during the closing time. In order to avoid any future disputes, it is necessary that the borrower calculates the entire cost beforehand.

Documentation :

1. PROOF OF IDENTITY (any one)

* Passport
* Driving License
* Voter's ID
* PAN Card

1. PROOF OF RESIDENCE (any one)

* Ration Card
* Utility Bill
* LIC Policy Receipt

1. PROOF OF AGE

1. PROOF OF SIGNATURE

* PAN Card
* Passport

1. PROOF OF INCOME (Salaried)

* Latest 3 months Bank Statement from Salary Account
* Latest Salary Slips
* Form 16

1. PROOF OF INCOME (Self Employed)

* Latest 3 months Bank Statement from Operating Account
* Last 2 years ITR with Computation of Income/Certified Financials,Proof of Turnover(Latest Sales/Service Tax Returns.

1. SECURITY DOCUMENTS

* Documents of Equitable Property and/or Other suitable Collateral Security eg. Life Insurance Policies
* Marketable Shares and other such Investments

Reduced Margin for FX Trading

REDUCED FX MARGIN REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR CURRENCY CROSSES

From 12:00 CET on Monday, 27 April 2009, Saxo Bank’s FX margin requirements for certain major currency pairs have been reduced to approximately 0.5% for the first EUR 50,000 of investment collateral, and to approximately 1% above a EUR 50,000 deposit.

The reduction applies to the 10 currency pairs that include two of the following currencies EUR, USD, GBP, JPY and CHF (i.e. major currency pairs).

For FX Spot and Forward positions Saxo Bank clients can obtain approximately 200:1 leverage on the first EUR 50,000. For FX Options only the delta margin is reduced on the first EUR 50,000. Follow this link for information about the margin requirements for FX Options.

In effect, this means FX margin requirements have been reduced by approximately 50% from their previous level for exposure in EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, and CHF. For these 10 major currency pairs, Saxo Bank previously required 1% margin for the first EUR 50,000 in the client’s account, and 2% above a EUR 50,000 deposit.

Myths About swiss bank account

1. Swiss bank accounts are only for millionaires

This is not true. The majority of our clients are not major manufacturers or movie stars, but everyday people (business people, computer engineers, civil servants, etc.). Swiss banks are no longer only for stars.
You can open a Swiss bank account with a deposit of only 5,000 Swiss francs. We even offer accounts with no minimum balance.

2. Money invested in Switzerland yields no interest

Nothing could be more untrue. You can invest your money worldwide from your account in Switzerland through investment funds, bonds, the stock market, the purchase of metal values, raw materials, derivatives and many other types of investments. Swiss bankers are among the best finance managers in the world, so it comes as no surprise that they manage over 35% of offshore holdings.

3. It's impossible to open an account in Switzerland by correspondence

This is not true. Most of the accounts that we offer can be opened by correspondence as long as you comply with our opening procedures and provide us with the necessary documents. What is more, your banking relations can be conducted by correspondence, using the telephone, Internet banking, bank transfer and credit cards. That said, we encourage our customers to meet with their banker at least once in order to get acquainted and see where their money is held.

4. Swiss bank accounts are very expensive to maintain

This is not true. Most of the accounts we open don't charge a cent in annual fees. Even if you would like additional services such as retained correspondence or numbered banking relations, the annual fees are very reasonable.

5. It is difficult to close a Swiss bank account

On the contrary. You can close your account in Switzerland whenever you wish and without any restriction. You will pay no financial penalty. If need be, you will just have to realize your investments. Contrary to many onshore banking practices, your money is not held hostage by Swiss banks.

6. Swiss bank accounts attract only criminals and dictators

Not true! The vast majority of Swiss bank account holders are honest people who want to keep their savings in a country renowned for its stability. Swiss banks are extremely cautious regarding politicians who wish to open an account and they systematically refuse to accept any money that is of dubious origin or poorly founded.

7. Numbered accounts are anonymous

There are no anonymous accounts in Switzerland. A numbered account is an account that is identified solely by a number, rather than a name, in order to preserve the strictest confidentiality possible during teller transactions or bank transfers. Only the bank manager and a few select people know the identity of numbered account holders.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Benefits of forex markets

You can find so many fascinating things that can be mentioned about the foreign exchange market. Here we see some major benefits which are absent in equities and futures markets.

1. Liquidity:
The greatest advantage that forex trader will mention is that the market is undoubtedly the largest market in the world, and that major currencies can be exchanged dynamically 24 hours a day. The vast amount of money traded in the world’s major currencies each day, undersize the level traded in the equities and the futures markets very much. This coupled with the 24 hour trading day makes traders the capacity to establish their own trading hours rather than having to trade within the confined time as in the case of trading futures and stocks. Above all, forex is more liquid than the futures and equities markets, price slippage in the forex market is usually much lesser than in the stock and futures.

2. Leverage:
There is more leverage offered to traders by most forex trading concerns than any other market in the world. Many companies offer you up to 200 to1 leverage which if fully utilized would effectively receive a 0.5% move in the market and turn it into a 100% gain or loss on the value of the account.

3. Minimal Factors influence Forex Market
The most highly traded currencies are only influenced by macro affairs like the capital flows between countries, and policy changes in government or central bank. This is an advantage by forex traders who consider that this fetches less uncertainty to their trades than stock trades.

Computerised forex trading

The currency trading is over three trillion dollars a day moving around, making it the largest market in the world. Computerized or Automated currency trading is very much helpful for the comfort and security of a trader. Several people jump straight in to this market hoping to make fast money.

The plan of creating big money than cashing out is a myth. What you necessitate is to build up an automated currency trading system that permits you earn liquid cash. You don’t require a million dollars to operate the system. You can automate an income of $5000-7000/ month, which indicates you can happily travel around the globe for the rest of your life. You can start retirement at this instant.

The most efficient thing you can do is to make your daily schedule of trading into a system. This is what automation is all about, systems. You can’t precisely employ someone to do work, if you can’t suitably prepare them to do it. You have to have certain tasks and works that are replicated each and everyday. It requires to regulations on analysis. Hence, you know better when to take a decision.

The ideal automation tool is forex software. In the forex market, we trade a thorough analysis, which is just a delight word for math. Computers survive to do tiresome math work, so having the forex trading system software to glance at currency data is in our greatest interest.

There are softwares just as 10 Minute Forex Wealth Builder. This forex trading software only takes around 10 minutes to setup the program. This tool is an excellent for both learners and specialists.

Pairs of currenciesin Forex

Forex quotations are usually denoted in pairs. Since, the U.S. dollar is observed as the common currency of the Forex market; in any Forex quote it is always treated as the base currency where it is one of the pairs. Incidentally, the U.S. Dollar is involved in nearly 90% of all Forex transactions.

There are many official currencies that are used all over the world, but there only a handful of currencies that are traded actively in the forex market. In forex trading platforms, only the most economically and politically secure and liquid currencies are required in sufficient quantities. For instance, the American dollar is the world’s most actively traded currency, because of the magnitude and power of the United States economy.

Commonly, the most traded currencies (not in particular order) are the U.S. dollar (USD), the euro (EUR), the British pound (GBP), the Swiss franc (CHF), the Japanese yen (JPY), the New Zealand dollar (NZD), the Australian dollar (AUD) and the Canadian dollar (CAD).

In general, there are 27 different currency pairs that can be derived from those eight currencies alone. Still, there are about 18 currency pairs that are traditionally quoted by forex market makers as an outcome of their overall liquidity. These pairs are:
USD/CAD, EUR/JPY, EUR/USD, EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, EUR/GBP, GBP/USD, AUD/CAD, NZD/USD, GBP/CHF, AUD/USD, BP/JPY, USD/JPY, CHF/JPY, EUR/CAD, AUD/JPY, EUR/AUD, and AUD/NZD.

The total amount of forex trading relating these 18 pairs characterizes the majority of the trading volume in the Forex market. This convenient number of options creates trading a much less convoluted when compared to trading with equities, which has innumerable possible options to pick from.

Learning Forex

Several learning platforms are available to novice, namely books, CDs, online courses, etc. Learning foreign trade from specialists is worth for your investment and rectifies the mistakes. While you are learning you will need forex charting software to practice understanding the market. Charting is a vital tool that shows you in real-time data how the foreign exchange rates are doing minute by minute and also what the market has done in the past. As you learn to evaluate these charts you can decide what trades to enter and exit, where to place your stop losses, limits etc.

To execute your real trades online you require a concurrent ’trading platform’ to effect your transactions directly in the Foreign Currency Exchange. You obtain a trading platform from a Forex Clearinghouse (Brokerage Firms, Market Makers etc.) that is connected real-time to the inter-bank market. Learn about the foreign currency conversion before entering into the market. The foreign currency converter will show the currency conversion from dollar to euro or from euro to dollar.

A good clearinghouse (i.e. your computer access/link to the live Forex Exchange Market) is the associate with whom you trade the money you have deposited with them in your trading account.

The topic of selecting the right clearinghouse depends on— how much you can start an account with, how much the clearinghouse revenue multiply, what your liquidity requirements are, your lowest/highest stop loss and margin necessities, even where you live and how much time you have to give to trading in 24 hours a day.

You, as the investor/account holder, have direct contact online to your account movement, and control over your account in your name. The value of this, for the protection of your funds, cannot be over highlighted.

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