Forex Dictionary - Glossary of Terms & Definitions

An Electronic Communication Network (ECN) is a type of trading platform that automatically matches buy and sell orders for securities in the financial markets. It allows traders to execute orders without the need for a traditional market maker, providing greater transparency, speed, and potential price improvement. ECNs facilitate electronic trading in both stocks and foreign exchange, offering access to a wide range of liquidity providers, enabling after-hours trading and typically charging lower fees compared to conventional exchanges. By connecting various market participants, ECNs enhance market efficiency and competition.

An economic calendar is a schedule of economic events and indicators that can impact financial markets, including the release dates for reports such as GDP, employment figures, inflation data, and central bank meetings. Traders and investors use it to anticipate market movements and make informed decisions based on upcoming economic releases and announcements. Key events often include interest rate decisions, non-farm payroll reports, consumer price indexes, and manufacturing indexes, among others. Staying updated with the economic calendar is essential for understanding the broader economic landscape and potential market volatility.

The Exponential Moving Average (EMA) is a type of weighted moving average that gives more importance to recent price data, making it more responsive to new information compared to the simple moving average (SMA). The EMA is calculated using a smoothing factor, which is based on the number of periods considered, allowing it to adjust more quickly to price changes. Traders often use the EMA to identify trends, potential reversals, and to generate buy or sell signals in various financial markets, as it helps to smooth out volatility and highlight the underlying trend.

An entry order is a type of trade order used by investors and traders to execute a buy or sell transaction when a specified price level is reached. This order can be set as a limit order, where the trader specifies the maximum price they are willing to pay for a buy order or the minimum price for a sell order, or as a market order, which executes immediately at the current market price. Entry orders help traders manage their risk and capitalize on price movements without having to monitor the market constantly.

The EUR/JPY currency pair, which represents the exchange rate between the Euro and the Japanese Yen, is often nicknamed "Euppy" by traders. This nickname is part of a broader trend in forex trading where traders create abbreviations or playful names for various currency pairs to facilitate communication and discussion. Euppy is favored for its liquidity and price movement, making it a popular choice for traders looking to capitalize on market fluctuations between these two major currencies.

The European trading session, which runs from 7 AM to 4 PM GMT, typically sees significant market activity as it overlaps with both the Asian and American sessions. It is known for higher volatility and trading volume, particularly during the first few hours when major European financial markets, such as London, Frankfurt, and Paris, are open. Key economic data releases and geopolitical events can further influence currency pairs and other assets during this period, attracting traders who seek to capitalize on price movements.

An Expert Advisor (EA) is an automated trading system used primarily in forex and other financial markets, designed to execute trades based on predefined criteria and algorithms. EAs are programmed using a scripting language like MQL4 or MQL5, which allows traders to automate their trading strategies, manage risk, and optimize performance without the need for constant manual intervention. This technology can analyze market conditions and execute trades 24/7, making it popular among both novice and experienced traders looking to enhance their trading efficiency.