Friday, July 10, 2009

Why chose ICM for your Omnibus partnership?

Outstanding monthly revenue payments based on trading volume – Because ICM values its partners we have a dedicated staff making sure you are paid on time and in full

Broad array of products – ICM doesn’t just offer Forex. We also offer CFDs, indices and commodities allowing us to satisfy all your clients’ online trading needs and giving you more revenue earning opportunity

Low fixed spreads – Gives our Omnibus partners the flexibility to competitively mange what they quote in spreads and commissions

Lowest margin requirements – At 400:1 there is no online trading provider that offers better margins

Back office management – Allows Omnibus partners to focus on their clients while ICM manages the back office and maintenance issues

Dedicated dashboard – Allows Omnibus partners to monitor their clients’ activity and determine expected compensationTo learn more about ICM’s convenient and lucrative White Label partnership program, complete the information below:

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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Letter from the Chairman

There has never been a more challenging and exciting time to be trading in the foreign exchange market. Since we launched operations in 1999, we've watched the industry grow in leaps and bounds. What started out as a market for professionals is now attracting traders from all over the world and of all experience levels.
Our goal at FOREX.com is to provide a comprehensive resource for individuals new to the market or with limited experience trading foreign currencies. On this site you will find educational content, training tools, and market information, along with full service trading capabilities. Our forex mini accounts allow you to get started with less capital, and beneficial trading policies are in place to help you manage risk while you learn.
As part of GAIN Capital Group, one of the world's largest and most respected online forex trading firms, you can feel secure knowing you're trading with an industry leader. From being the first firm to introduce innovative dealing practices such as instantaneous execution from streaming quotes, to our commitment to fair and honest dealing practices and our cutting-edge proprietary trading technology, GAIN Capital Group is at the forefront of the industry. In addition, with over 100 years' combined experience in capital markets and proven track records as senior managers of large, global trading operations, our executive team is comprised of some of the most respected leaders in the industry.
If you're a professional money manager or experienced forex day trader, you will likely find our flagship service, GAIN Capital, better suited to your needs. Otherwise, I encourage you to explore our website and see for yourself why so many people choose FOREX.com as their online forex trading provider.
Should you have any questions, our dedicated and knowledgeable staff is available 7 days a week to assist you in any way you choose, whether by phone, email or chat.
Sincerely,
Mark GalantChairman & FounderGAIN Capital Group

Executive Team

As a division of GAIN Capital Group, FOREX.com boasts a seasoned management team. This dedicated group of technology, trading, operations, and finance professionals apply their experience, teamwork and innovation towards a common goal: to be the premier electronic market maker of financial instruments in the global capitals market. To achieve this we will empower our clients by providing superior technology, fair markets, and an unmatched customer experience.

Glenn Stevens, Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer, Glenn drives the strategic goals of the Company and oversees all the business units. Glenn's 20 years of FX experience includes senior positions at some of Wall Street's most prestigious financial institutions

Chris Calhoun, Chief Operating Officer

Chris ensures that all business operations are directly aligned with the Company's retail and institutional customers. With GAIN since 2000, Chris has played an integral role in GAIN Capital's growth from startup to industry leader

Alex Bobinski, Chief Financial and Compliance Officer


Alex is responsible for the financial operations and compliance activities of GAIN Capital Group LLC, the US regulated subsidiary of GAIN Capital Holdings Inc. Alex's responsibilities include accounting, treasury and cash management, and reporting

Trading Team

GAIN's market making desk is staffed 24-hours a day during trading hours with experienced former bank traders who are comfortable managing a high volume forex trading operation. Three shifts cover each major trading session - Tokyo, London and NY - and each shift is managed by one or more senior dealers with, on average, 15-20 years of FX market making experience at top tier Wall Street firms. Without a doubt, GAIN's success to date is in no small part due to the talent of our trading team. The desk's mandate is to make tight, aggressive markets and ensure quality execution for our customers. They are also charged with managing GAIN's risk and exposure as a market maker in the highly competitive and price sensitive Forex market. Clients with over $25,000 in account equity have the added benefit of direct access to GAIN's traders for market color and consultation. These same people are frequently asked to provide market commentary to such prestigious news organizations as Dow Jones, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Associated Press, Bloomberg, CBS Marketwatch.
Timothy O'Sullivan, Chief DealerTim manages the day to day operation of GAIN's trading desk. With GAIN since its founding, Tim has 20 years of experience trading spot & forward FX in the Interbank market. Previously, Tim was director of the NY Sterling desk at Merrill Lynch. Hired in 1994 to establish a presence in Asian Exotic spot & forward currencies, Tim subsequently assumed responsibility for the EMS currencies desk. In 1997, he launched the Mexican Peso desk and provided liquidity to develop customer business. Tim started his career at Standard Chartered Bank, spanning an eight-year tenure that included running forward books in DEM, and trading spot Far East and exotic currencies.
Stephen Reilly, Senior TraderStephen's 20+ years of forex trading experience includes stints at several top brokerage houses. Prior to joining GAIN in 2000, Stephen managed the 14-person Euro desk at Tullett & Tokyo, the world's largest FX broker at that time. Before that, Stephen spent 10 years at Noonan Astley & Pearce as vice president of foreign exchange. Previously, Stephen traded at Harlow Meyer Savage, and started his FX career in 1982 at Lasser Marshall, leaving four years later at vice president of foreign exchange.
David Leaver, Senior TraderDave joined GAIN in 2001 from BankBoston, where he was the bank's primary EUR/USD dealer, handling both proprietary and customer business. Prior to that, he traded the majors and Euro crosses on the New York FX desk at Credit Commercial de France (CCF), which averaged $1B in daily turnover. Before that, he was at Fuji Bank in New York, trading on the USD/DEM desk. Dave started his FX career in 1991 at Exco Noonan, as a broker on the USD/DEM desk.
Brian Dolan, Chief Currency StrategistBrian is an 18 year veteran of the currency market, having worked as a senior trader and analyst at some of the world's leading international banks, including Dai-Ichi Kangyo, Credit Suisse and American Express. In addition to overseeing fundamental and technical research at GAIN, Brian publishes a daily technical analysis report and weekly macro research report for the exclusive use of GAIN Capital clients. Frequently sought after by the financial press for his insights into currency movements, Brian is a frequent guest on CNBC and Bloomberg TV. Brian has also published numerous articles on short-term trading strategies and risk management in journals such as Futures, Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities, and SFO. In the fall of 2007, Brian co-authored Currency Trading for Dummies, a sophisticated, educational resource for traders new to the Forex markets. Brian is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Roger Tarika, Former Global Head of Foreign Exchange Sales, Morgan Stanley

A 25-year veteran of the FX markets, Roger Tarika's career began in 1979 with First National Bank of Boston. In 1984, Mr. Tarika joined Morgan Stanley & Co where he began his 17 year tenure running various spot FX trading desks. In 1992, Mr. Tarika was appointed head of trading for the New York spot/forward desk and in 1995 was appointed to run the FX desk in London, managing 50 sales and trading professionals. His most recent position at Morgan Stanley was Managing Director, Global FX Sales Manager. Mr. Tarika received a BS from Duke University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Susanne D. Lyons, former Chief Marketing Officer, Visa USA

A retail financial services industry veteran, Susanne Lyons most recently served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Visa USA. While at Charles Schwab & Co. from 1992-2001, Ms. Lyons held a variety of senior marketing and general management roles, culminating in the position of chief marketing officer. At Fidelity Investments from 1982-1992, Ms. Lyons was responsible for marketing multiple business lines including brokerage, domestic and international growth funds and retirement products. She has been recognized for her business leadership in several significant forums, including San Francisco Financial Woman's Association "Woman of the Year" in 1999 and as one of Ad Age's Top 50 Marketers. Ms. Lyons served on the board of CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET), a global interactive media company, until its recent acquisition by CBS, and is also on the advisory boards of Marketo and Epoch, as well as the board of WildCare, a not for profit organization. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Boston University.

Joseph A. Schenk, former Chief Financial Officer, Jefferies Group

Mr. Schenk served as chief financial officer and executive vice president at Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF), a full-service investment bank and institutional securities firm focused on capital markets and asset management, from January 2000 to December 2007. Mr. Schenk's responsibilities at Jefferies included oversight for finance, accounting, risk, treasury, internal audit, investor relations, tax and accounting policy matters. Prior to his appointment as CFO, Mr. Schenk held various positions within Jefferies, including senior vice president, responsible for corporate services, from September 1997 to January 2000, and senior institutional account executive from September 1993 through March 1996. Prior to Jefferies, Mr. Schenk served as a senior vice president at Zimbalist Smith, a boutique investment research firm. Mr. Schenk had previously held management positions at Deloitte Haskins & Sells and Price Waterhouse. Mr. Schenk currently serves on the boards of ConvergEx Holdings and Talk.com. Mr. Schenk received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Detroit, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Peter Quick, Former President, American Stock Exchange

Peter Quick is the former President of the American Stock Exchange® (2000-2005) and formerly served on its Board of Governors. Prior to his appointment at the American Stock Exchange®, Mr. Quick had been President and Chief Executive Officer of Quick & Reilly, Inc., a leading national discount brokerage firm, which was acquired by Fleet Bank (now Bank of America) for $1.6 Billion in 1998. Mr. Quick is currently the lead Independent Director of Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (NYSE: RA) and also sits on the Board of Medicure (AMEX: MCU). Mr. Quick has served on the Board of Governors of the Chicago Stock Exchange and was Chairman of the Midwest Securities Trust Company. He has also been a Director of The Options Clearing Corporation, CUSIP, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, the NASD Insurance Agency, and Alliance Money Market Fund. Mr. Quick received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and attended Stanford University's graduate school of Petroleum Engineering.

Glenn Stevens - Chief Executive Officer

Glenn Stevens joined GAIN Capital Group in February 2000 as a founding partner and managing director, and assumed the CEO role in June, 2007. Previously, he was managing director, head of North American sales and trading at Natwest Bank. In this role, Mr. Stevens directly managed a staff of over 50 trading and sales professionals and also served as a senior member of Natwest's North American Management Committee. From 1990 to 1997, Mr. Stevens was at Merrill Lynch and Co., hired as a USD/JPY trader and eventually promoted to the bank's management team as managing director and chief dealer for Spot and Forward FX. While at Merrill Lynch, he developed the investment bank's emerging markets currency trading desk and increased profitability threefold in 2 years. During this time, he also served as the Federal Reserve Bank's FX representative for investment banks. Mr. Steven's Wall Street career began in 1984 at Bankers Trust Company. Mr. Stevens holds a BS in Finance from Bucknell University and an MBA in Finance from Columbia University.

Mark Galant - Chairman and Founder

The founder of GAIN Capital Group, Mark Galant served as chief executive officer of the Company from its inception in October, 1999 until June, 2007. Mr. Galant's strategic vision and entrepreneurial energy propelled the firm from concept to a market leader in the rapidly growing and highly competitive online forex industry. Under his leadership, the firm achieved top line growth of 65% or more for six consecutive years (2001-2006).

Board of Directors

GAIN's Board of Directors brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to the Company. It is the paramount duty of the Board of Directors to oversee the CEO and other senior management in the competent and ethical operation of the Company on a day-to-day basis, to monitor GAIN's financial performance and to evaluate overall corporate strategy. To satisfy this duty, the directors take a proactive, focused approach to their position, and set standards to ensure that the Company is committed to business success through maintenance of the highest standards of responsibility and ethics.

Investors

3i Group3i is a world leader in private equity and venture capital. Today, 3i operates in 14 countries across US, Europe, and Asia, managing over $15 billion. In the past five years alone, 3i has backed more than 40 companies that have gone public on the world's leading exchanges and has executed over 450 M&A transactions.
VantagePoint Venture PartnersWith over $4.5 billion under management, VantagePoint specializes in active multi-stage investing in technology and healthcare; their focus is on fast-growing companies at all stages of development.
Tudor VenturesTudor Ventures is the venture capital and private equity arm of Tudor Investment Corp., an internationally recognized, diversified investment management firm with total assets under management in excess of $17 billion. Since the early 1990's, Tudor and its principals have invested in over 75 companies, with a strong record of investment success, and currently manage over $700 million in private equity investments.
Edison Venture FundWith a capital pool that exceeds $550 million in six independent limited partnerships, Edison invests in expansion stage information technology companies located in the New York City to Virginia corridor. Edison has invested in over 100 IT companies, achieving 16 IPOs and over 75 company sales. Edison Venture Fund was founded in 1986 by John Martinson. The firm's name honors Thomas Alva Edison, the world's greatest inventor, a creative marketeer and a successful entrepreneur.
Cross Atlantic Capital PartnersWith 7 funds under management, totaling nearly $500 million, Cross Atlantic invests in technology companies in the United States, UK, and Ireland. Founded in 1986, Cross Atlantic Capital Partners' portfolio includes a diverse array of companies which focus on information technology, enterprise software, telecommunications, and other enabling technologies.

forex Mission is to be your premier

At FOREX.com, advanced trading tools, 24-hour customer support, and a secure online trading experience are all part of our commitment to offer more to the individual investor

forex Trade Around the Clock

The forex market is a near-seamless 24-hour market. Subject to available liquidity, FXCM offers trading from Sunday, starting after 5:15 PM EST, until Friday, 4PM, EST (FXCM Client Service is available 24/7). With the ability to trade around the clock, currency traders have the advantage of customizing their own trading schedule; they can usually get in or out of the market at any time without waiting for an opening bell or encountering a market gap. While trading stocks after usual market hours is possible, very often that possibility is negated by a lack of order flow or a drastic widening of the bid-ask spread.

Forex Buying / Selling

Buying / Selling

First, the traders should determine whether they want to buy or sell. If they want to enter a short order - whereby they will profit if the exchange rate falls - they simply need to click on the SELL rate. The opposite holds true for traders who enter buy orders: they can simply click on the BUY rate, and thus will profit if the exchange rate goes up.

Example of How Buying / Selling Works

As with all markets, there are two prices for every currency pair. The difference between these two prices is the spread, or the cost of the trade. In this example, the spread is three pips. On the 10k position, a pip on the EUR/USD currency pair is worth $1.

Margin / Leverage

FX accounts are margined: a trader can hold a market position much larger than the value of the trader's account value. The online trading platform which FOREXYARD offers has margin management capabilities, which allow lenient margin requirement of up to 1/2%. However, we do not recommend using leverage of more than 10 times your account value. Using leverage exaggerates both gains and losses. Even when market conditions are relatively calm, using leverage can generate large gains or losses. In the case where a trader surpasses the maximum leverage allowed (which can happen when account equity shrinks as a result of trading losses), the trading system will close all open positions in the account. This prevents client's accounts from falling into a negative balance, even in a highly volatile, fast moving market.

Example of How Margin Works

Since the trader opened 1 lot of 10k EUR/USD, his margin requirement or Used Margin is $50. Usable Margin is the funds available to open new positions or sustain trading losses. If the equity (the value of his account) falls below 20% of his Used Margin due to trading losses, his position will automatically be closed. As a result, the trader can never lose more than he/she deposits.

How an FX Trade Works

In the FX market you can buy or sell one currency for another. When you buy a currency, you are said to be "long" in that currency and when you sell a currency, you are said to be "short" in that currency. As the value of one currency rises or falls relative to another, traders decide to buy or sell currencies in order to make profits - since the objective is to earn a profit from their position. Placing a trade in the foreign exchange market is simple and the mechanics of a trade are virtually identical to those found in other markets. Because of the symmetry of currency transactions, you are always simultaneously long in one currency and short in another. An open position is one that is live and ongoing. As long as the position is open, its value will fluctuate in accordance with the exchange rate in the market. To close out your position, you conduct an equal and opposite trade in the same currency pair. For example, if you have gone long in one lot of EUR/USD you can close out that position by subsequently going short in one EUR/USD lot (at the prevailing bid price).

Example of How FX Trade Works

Trader's ActionEurosUS Dollars
A trader purchases 10,000 Euros in the beginning of 2001 when the EUR/USD rate was .9600.+10,000-9,600
In May of 2003 the trader exchanges his 10,000 Euro back into US dollar at the market rate of 1.1800.-10,000+11,800
In this example, the trader earned a gross profit of $2,200.0+2,200

How to Get Started

People are introduced to the exciting world of foreign exchange in many ways: friends, current events, newspapers, television, and many others. For those of you who are new to forex, the following guidelines cover the basics of currency trading.

Step 1: "Practice makes perfect"

Demo trade. The demo account was designed to help traders gain familiarity with the speed and movements of the market. When you are demo trading, you should learn how to: 1) place market orders to enter a trade, 2) place stop-loss orders to protect your positions, and limit orders to take profits, 3) place OCO orders and If Done Orders to execute more advanced strategies.

What is Forex (Foreign Exchange)?

Foreign Exchange (FOREX) is the arena where a nation's currency is exchanged for that of another. The foreign exchange market is the largest financial market in the world, with the equivalent of over $1.9 trillion changing hands daily; more than three times the aggregate amount of the US Equity and Treasury markets combined. Unlike other financial markets, the Forex market has no physical location and no central exchange (off-exchange). It operates through a global network of banks, corporations and individuals trading one currency for another. The lack of a physical exchange enables the Forex market to operate on a 24-hour basis, spanning from one zone to another in all the major financial centers.

Traditionally, retail investors' only means of gaining access to the foreign exchange market was through banks that transacted large amounts of currencies for commercial and investment purposes. Trading volume has increased rapidly over time, especially after exchange rates were allowed to float freely in 1971. Today, importers and exporters, international portfolio managers, multinational corporations, speculators, day traders, long-term holders and hedge funds all use the FOREX market to pay for goods and services, transact in financial assets or to reduce the risk of currency movements by hedging their exposure in other markets.

MG Financial, now operating in over 100 countries, serves all manner of clients, comprising speculators and strategic traders. Whether it’s day-traders looking for short-term gains, or fund managers wanting to hedge their non-US assets, MG's DealStation™ allows them to participate in FOREX trading by providing a combination of live quotes, Real-Time charts, and news and analysis that attracts traders with an orientation towards fundamental and/or technical analysis.

Learn to trade currencies - your way

We've worked hard to distill our collective trading experience into an approach suitable for all skill levels.

Step 1: Understand the FOREX market.
Dive into Forex 101 for a compact overview of the basics or sit back and join us at one of our live interactive

Step 2: Prepare to trade in a live environment.
Register for one of our training courses and study at your own pace or join us at a local workshop, where our experienced instructors can teach you in a dynamic classroom setting.

Step 3: Test your skills risk free.
Sharpen your technical analysis techniques with a free 30 day practice account.