7 Tips For Choosing a Profitable Managed Forex Account
There are many important things to consider when entering the managed forex arena for the first time. Below are some points you should be mindful of that could well make the difference between an enjoyable and profitable experience and one you would sooner forget.
The Company
If you are about to invest a significant sum of money you need to be confident that the company is who they say they are and is in fact a real company, with real people you can talk to on the phone. If you are about to invest $50,000 for example you want to make sure that you can talk to someone about any concerns you have or may have in the future. A company should be able to provide a point of contact to answer these concerns.
Starting Balance
At the start of the investment process you need to make an honest assessment about just how much risk capital you have to invest in a managed forex account. Do not be tempted to over extend yourself or borrow money to invest. Risk capital by definition is money you can afford to lose without it effecting your lifestyle. Be realistic about how much you can invest and find a suitable managed account provider whose starting capital requirement is compatible with your own. Not always easy but you will need to look.
Past Performance
Perhaps the first thing you are going to look at when considering a managed forex account is their results. People invariably are impressed by big numbers but don't let this fact alone blind you to the down side of impressive looking statistics. Much like physics, where reactions are equal and opposite so are profits. Big profits equal big risks. Look for consistent and sustainable profits, don't base your assessment on 2-3 months worth of performance. The market goes through cycles, sometimes these cycles can last sixth months and deliver unusually high returns. For this reason to be realistic you really need to look at 2 years worth of results. If a trader can only offer you 6 months worth of history it probably isn't enough.
Costs And Commissions
You also need to consider what the costs of doing business are to you the investor. How is the money manager being remunerated? Do they have an annual percentage fee, a fee based on trade turnover or do they take a percentage of profit per month or perhaps they even have all 3? These questions can have a profound effect on exactly how much you get to take home at the end of the month. If a trader makes a commission based on trade volume, or the number of lots he trades per month, it is possible they can simply be making money "churning" accounts whilst making little actual profit. This is also associated with "over trading". Many forex managed funds also carry an annual percentage fee based on the account balance. You need to looks for a managed account where the money managers are rewarded for their results, so paying a percentage of new profits on a monthly basis is fair. The exact percentage will usually vary from 15 to 35% of new profits. I would be very reluctant to pay a greater percentage than this.
Absolute Control of Your Funds
One of the most important factors with Forex Managed accounts is being in control of your money at all times. When it comes to the actual funds for trading deal directly with a reputable broker and do not send your funds directly to any money manager, no matter how qualified or honest they appear. Any bona fide managed account provider will provide this functionality and not ask you to send funds directly to them.
Amount of Capital Under Management
Choose a well funded provider who has sufficient capital under management to make it viable for a professional trader to actually trade. Smaller funds or money managers simply won't be able to attract the right kind of trading talent if they do not have sufficient capital under management. Whilst this alone isn't sufficient to give any guarantees it is a powerful indicator as to the overall viability of a particular provider.
Trading Strategy
Give some serious consideration to the trading strategy employed by the forex managed account provider. Satisfy yourself that their trading style and their money management is consistent with your own risk tolerance and make sure that the provider does actually trade according to the guidelines they stipulate. Often you will see providers claiming to risk 1% per trade and actually using 10 or 20% risk per trade whilst trying to recover from losses. This is a very dangerous practice so make sure you are aware of the methodology used and that they comply with it.
The Broker
The broker you or your provider chooses is also a critical component in the overall managed account process. Make sure you do your due diligence on the broker in question, and ensure that their spreads and commissions are reasonable and that the broker is able to execute trades and withdrawals in a timely and efficient manner. - 23217
The Company
If you are about to invest a significant sum of money you need to be confident that the company is who they say they are and is in fact a real company, with real people you can talk to on the phone. If you are about to invest $50,000 for example you want to make sure that you can talk to someone about any concerns you have or may have in the future. A company should be able to provide a point of contact to answer these concerns.
Starting Balance
At the start of the investment process you need to make an honest assessment about just how much risk capital you have to invest in a managed forex account. Do not be tempted to over extend yourself or borrow money to invest. Risk capital by definition is money you can afford to lose without it effecting your lifestyle. Be realistic about how much you can invest and find a suitable managed account provider whose starting capital requirement is compatible with your own. Not always easy but you will need to look.
Past Performance
Perhaps the first thing you are going to look at when considering a managed forex account is their results. People invariably are impressed by big numbers but don't let this fact alone blind you to the down side of impressive looking statistics. Much like physics, where reactions are equal and opposite so are profits. Big profits equal big risks. Look for consistent and sustainable profits, don't base your assessment on 2-3 months worth of performance. The market goes through cycles, sometimes these cycles can last sixth months and deliver unusually high returns. For this reason to be realistic you really need to look at 2 years worth of results. If a trader can only offer you 6 months worth of history it probably isn't enough.
Costs And Commissions
You also need to consider what the costs of doing business are to you the investor. How is the money manager being remunerated? Do they have an annual percentage fee, a fee based on trade turnover or do they take a percentage of profit per month or perhaps they even have all 3? These questions can have a profound effect on exactly how much you get to take home at the end of the month. If a trader makes a commission based on trade volume, or the number of lots he trades per month, it is possible they can simply be making money "churning" accounts whilst making little actual profit. This is also associated with "over trading". Many forex managed funds also carry an annual percentage fee based on the account balance. You need to looks for a managed account where the money managers are rewarded for their results, so paying a percentage of new profits on a monthly basis is fair. The exact percentage will usually vary from 15 to 35% of new profits. I would be very reluctant to pay a greater percentage than this.
Absolute Control of Your Funds
One of the most important factors with Forex Managed accounts is being in control of your money at all times. When it comes to the actual funds for trading deal directly with a reputable broker and do not send your funds directly to any money manager, no matter how qualified or honest they appear. Any bona fide managed account provider will provide this functionality and not ask you to send funds directly to them.
Amount of Capital Under Management
Choose a well funded provider who has sufficient capital under management to make it viable for a professional trader to actually trade. Smaller funds or money managers simply won't be able to attract the right kind of trading talent if they do not have sufficient capital under management. Whilst this alone isn't sufficient to give any guarantees it is a powerful indicator as to the overall viability of a particular provider.
Trading Strategy
Give some serious consideration to the trading strategy employed by the forex managed account provider. Satisfy yourself that their trading style and their money management is consistent with your own risk tolerance and make sure that the provider does actually trade according to the guidelines they stipulate. Often you will see providers claiming to risk 1% per trade and actually using 10 or 20% risk per trade whilst trying to recover from losses. This is a very dangerous practice so make sure you are aware of the methodology used and that they comply with it.
The Broker
The broker you or your provider chooses is also a critical component in the overall managed account process. Make sure you do your due diligence on the broker in question, and ensure that their spreads and commissions are reasonable and that the broker is able to execute trades and withdrawals in a timely and efficient manner. - 23217
About the Author:
For more information regarding Managed Forex Reviews. Brendan is also associated with Managed Forex Reviews. Managed Forex Trader provides information and services to people interested in investing in Forex this can be viewed at Forex Managed Funds.
posted by X - Men @ 8:12 AM
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