If you want to trade on the forex market, you need a platform you can trust — this is where you will find all the tools and features you need to analyse market movements and open and close positions on forex pairs. Many platforms are available, but VT Markets seeks to help our users narrow their choices and connect with some of the most intuitively designed and powerful tools available.

We offer MetaTrader 4 here on the VT Markets site. Once you have set up your VT Markets account, you’ll be able to download the MT4 platform and get started immediately. From here, you can begin to grow your experience and make trades either on the demo or the live version of the platform. We recommend using the demo MT4 account first to build your confidence and understanding before you start to make trades for real.

So what are the first steps? To begin, you’ll need to choose which version of MetaTrader 4 to download. This will depend upon what device you are using. Take a look at our guide below to find out more about how to download the platform.

Downloading MetaTrader 4 — A straightforward guide to help you get started

You can download and use MT4 across various devices and operating systems, providing traders with a more flexible and capable set of options. These include most desktop devices and operating systems and mobile and tablet devices.

Downloading the MT4 platform for desktop and laptop

Desktop and laptop devices tend to be more powerful than your smartphone or tablet, offering more storage capability and scoring higher on other key metrics. The extra capacity and power of the device enable you to get the most out of the software, as this was the operating environment it was originally designed for. Many users prefer to download MT4 on a PC or laptop device.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Microsoft Windows — Most laptop and desktop devices still use the Microsoft Windows operating system, and MT4 is designed for use on this OS.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Apple Mac OS — Many users prefer Apple’s Mac OS, and all Macs and computers developed by Apple will run this OS. You can download MT4 to your Mac if required.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Linux — Linux is not as widely used as Windows and Mac OS. Still, developers have used the open-source system to create many operating systems, many of which have become popular. The Linux OS does support the MetaTrader 4 platform.

Downloading the MT4 platform for smartphones and tablets

While MT4 was initially developed with the power and function of desktop devices in mind, it is now available in smartphone and tablet versions. These versions help traders enjoy a far more convenient experience, with market data and trading tools right in the palm of their hand, even when they are out and about.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Apple iOS Devices — Like with the Mac OS, many users are experts in using Apple products and prefer to utilise Apple OS versions of software and apps. To support this, MT4 is available for download on Apple’s iPhone and iPad products. While the tablet version provides more detailed views, traders can still utilise all the required features on the mobile version. 

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Android Devices — Android devices are becoming increasingly popular among smartphone and mobile users, and various Android operating systems power various products in the market. If you have one of these devices, you’ll be able to have MT4 downloaded on your Android smartphone or tablet.

Your guide to a successful MetaTrader 4 download

It’s easy to download the MT4 platform you need when you use VT Markets. With a handy wizard feature, downloading and setup is largely automated. Follow these handy steps to complete your installation.

• Step One — Create your VT Markets account here on the website. Add your personal information, confirm your identification, and then add funds to your account.

• Step Two — Log into your VT Markets account and head to the top banner menu on any page on the VT Markets site. Select MetaTrader 4 in the drop-down menu and open this page. From here, select the link to begin to download for the operating system and device you are using.

• Step Three — Open the .exe file and follow the wizard to complete the laptop and desktop devices setup. Move through the different screens of the wizard, select a download file folder and configure your options. The platform will be saved in your default download file if you don’t do this. Select Finish once you reach the end of the wizard. If you are using a mobile or tablet device, it will be saved to your app folder, and the installation will take place automatically.

• Step Four — Log into the MT4 platform and use the features. You can grow your experience over time, utilising features such as MT4 indicators to execute more advanced trading and predictive functions.

Understanding the different MT4 trading accounts

You will want to take some time to develop your experience and gain confidence using the platform. While there are never any guarantees with forex trading — and even more experienced traders can find that their positions are not always successful — learning how to trade forex carefully will help you make future strategic decisions. With this in mind, we offer two versions of the MT4 platform for download. Learn more about these below.

Downloading and using the demo version of MT4

The demo version of MT4 is the same as the full version. You’ll still be able to take advantage of all of the different features and tools built into the platform, and you’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills and experience in a meaningful way. The only major difference is that there is no real money changing hands. As this is just a demo account, you won’t be executing trades for real. Of course, this means there’s no potential for profit, but there’s no risk either.

We highly recommend you use the demo account for a while when you first download MetaTrader 4. Even if you already have some experience with trading forex, you’ll need time to learn how to use MT4 and to grow acquainted with the specific features of the platform. The risk-free environment of the demo account is perfect for achieving this. 

Downloading and using the live version of MT4

When you download the live version of MetaTrader 4, you gain access to all of the platform’s features, from indicators and other predictive tools to those used in active trading. In this sense, it’s almost the same as the demo version, only this version of MT4 supports live trades.

This means you can make money when you open and close positions on the live version of the platform, but there’s also the potential to lose money. Bear this risk in mind, and trade conservatively. If you decide to maximise your exposure in the market with margin trading or leverage trading on forex pairs, you will increase the risk level. 

The margin in FX refers to the amount of money you will need to put forward to control a position. Trading on the margin means you are essentially borrowing capital from the broker, which will need to be paid back. Leverage works similarly, maximising the stake you control and involves borrowing capital directly from the broker.

Only adopt these forms of trading if you are confident with using the MetaTrader 4 version you downloaded and after you have spent time learning forex and practising on the demo version of the platform.

Download MT4 and start growing your trading experience

We want to ensure that our users have access to all the tools and platforms they need to develop their experience as they trade forex. This is why we provide a roster of industry-leading software pieces designed to help traders open and close positions according to their unique strategies. 

There are always risks involved with this kind of trading, which is why it’s a good idea to practise using the features of MT4 after you download it. To do this, simply use the demo account, and enjoy all the features in a risk-free environment. When you feel ready, you can graduate to the live trading account and open positions for real. Want to learn more about our platform? Reach out to our team today.

What are the best forex pairs to trade? If only this question had a straightforward answer — it would make learning how to trade forex and speculating on currency movements far more reliable. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and deciding on the best currency pairs to trade is always a personal choice and depends exclusively on your own trading strategy.
However, examining the most traded currency pairs in the market can be helpful. This gives you some idea of the most liquid options when trading currency pairs and provides you with a wealth of data you can use to develop your future strategies.

EUR/USD — European Euro and United States Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair is the most traded in the market regarding volume and trading frequency. In forex trading, this high volume builds momentum, making the most frequently traded pairs very popular among currency speculators. This is because of the high liquidity of frequently traded pairs, which helps keep spreads tight. 

Traders must remain aware of actions from the European Central Bank and the United States Federal Reserve. These financial institutions set the interest rates that dictate the relative values of the currencies. If one institution increases interest rates relative to the other, that institution’s currency may grow in value — this will dictate whether the trader needs to open a long or short position.

USD/JPY — United States Dollar and Japanese Yen

The USD/JPY pair puts the United States Dollar in the base position and uses the Japanese Yen as the quote currency. This pair is sometimes referred to as the gopher, another highly liquid option for traders. The liquidity is supported by the proliferation of trading on the Japanese Yen in the Asian market — a huge portion of the global forex trading landscape. 

Again, the Federal Reserve sets interest rates on the USD, but the Bank of Japan dictates Japanese domestic rates. Traders will need to be aware of changes in these rates as they decide on their strategy for the USD/JPY.

GBP/USD — British Pound and United States Dollar

With the British Pound as the base currency and the United States Dollar as the quote currency, the GBP/USD pair is sometimes referred to as “cable” among forex traders. This is because of the long history of trading across the pair, and it refers directly to the wire cables that used to be utilised to execute transatlantic trades.

Traders must remain aware of the actions of the Federal Reserve in the United States and the Bank of England in London. Both of these factors will impact the performance of the GBP relative to the quoted USD value.

AUD/USD — Australian Dollar and United States Dollar

Traders may call the AUD/USD pair “the Aussie” simply because the Australian Dollar is in the base position, while the United States Dollar is the quote currency. While many other pairs use the Australian Dollar as the base currency, the AUD/USD is the most frequently traded and liquid, so this one receives the colloquial nickname.

The Reserve Bank of Australia determines the country’s official cash rate, so traders need to be aware of this in relation to the current Federal Reserve interest rate. The Australian Dollar also depends on the performance of the natural resources that bolster the country’s economy.

USD/CAD — United States Dollar and Canadian Dollar

The USD/CAD is another pair on this list, with the United States Dollar in the base position while the neighbouring Canadian Dollar takes the quote position. This pair may also be called “the loonie”, a nickname for the physical Canadian Dollar coin. 

In addition to the interest rates across the two nations, traders will need to be aware of the price of oil on the global market. This is an important influence on the Canadian economy and will affect the currency’s value relative to the United States Dollar south of the border.

USD/CNY — United States Dollar and Chinese Yuan

This currency pair puts the United States Dollar and the Chinese Yuan in the base and quote positions, respectively. As the two biggest economies in the world, the United States and the People’s Republic of China have a huge influence on the forex market, and this pair has grown to become one of the most frequently traded in the world.

The Chinese central government exerts control over the country’s economy and the value of its currency. It has intentionally allowed the value of the Yuan — sometimes referred to as the Renminbi — to depreciate relative to other global currencies. This makes the USD/CNY a unique pairing on this list, and the potential volatility of the pair has been compounded in recent years by the unfolding trade war and political tensions between the two countries.

USD/CHF — United States Dollar and Swiss Franc

When forex platform users are trading currency pairs, they may notice “the Swissie” — this is another name for the United States Dollar and Swiss Franc currency pair, or the USD/CHF.

The Swiss Franc is often considered a stable currency, so traders may be tempted to invest in the CHF during periods of uncertainty in the broader market. If the market is generally stable, traders are less likely to turn to the Swiss Franc. Despite this, the USD/CHF, or Swissie, remains one of the most traded currency pairs.

USD/HKD — United States Dollar and Hong Kong Dollar

One of the most traded currency pairs in recent years has been the United States Dollar and the Hong Kong Dollar, or USD/HKD. This is a somewhat unique entry on this list simply because of the relationship between the two currencies. The HKD quote currency is pegged directly to the USD base currency, which means the value of the quote currency will rise and fall with that of the base currency.

There is still room for speculation, however. The HKD can fluctuate by several cents up or down from the current United States Dollar value. When extrapolated out over larger trade values and volumes — or trades made with leverage in the FX market — this can still represent a significant level of fluctuation.

EUR/GBP — European Euro and British Pound

Bringing together the European Euro in the base currency slot, up against the British Pound in the quote position, the EUR/GBP currency pair is among the most interesting options around. This is because of the geopolitical and economic speculation that has taken place in this part of the world over the last few years. While Britain was never in the Eurozone, it was a member of the European Union until several years ago. Its recent exit has caused serious fluctuations in the relative values of the two currencies.

Of course, fluctuations and volatility do not always mean bad news for investors, and many traders will actively welcome this kind of movement in the market. This is why the EUR/GBP has become one of the most popular choices for speculation, although traders are always advised to tread carefully.

USD/KRW — United States Dollar and Korean Won

The tenth and final pair on this list of the most traded currency pairs is the USD/KRW. With this pair, we find the United States Dollar in the base currency position again, while South Korea’s Won fills the quote currency position.

Huge economic growth in South Korea in the last few decades, as well as its status as one of the leaders in the global tech market, has led to considerable interest in this currency. And, of course, the United States Dollar remains one of the most commonly traded currencies in the world, making for a natural base option.

A few things to bear in mind when trading currency pairs

The above list is not definitive. The market’s most commonly traded currency pairs can change at any time, with new pairs emerging and other pairs falling out of favour. As you decide on the best currency pairs to trade, you’ll need to pay attention to market movements, examine the dashboard of your trading platform and identify trends.

Examining the market means you’ll need to stay aware of pips. Pips in FX are small movements, typically at the fourth decimal place of the currency pair value. However, with smaller denomination quote currencies like the Japanese Yen or Korean Won, these movements may be at the second decimal place. While a single pip movement may not look like much, this can represent a significant amount of money on a large trade. Even on smaller trades, pip movements decide whether the position is successful or not.

Trade the main currency pairs at VT Markets

Here at VT Markets, we provide traders with the tools and platforms they need to grow their experience in the market. This may include trading with some of the common most traded currency pairs out there, or it may involve emerging and exotic pairs. Whichever strategy you choose, begin your journey with a demo account and open real positions on the live trading account. Want to discover more? Reach out to our team today.

The US will release the Non-Farm Employment Change and FOMC Meeting Minutes this week. 

The Non-farm Employment Change is expected to show a total of 220,000 jobs added in December, down from the 263,000 jobs added in November. Forecasters also expect the Unemployment Rate to remain unchanged at 3.7%. 

Meanwhile, the Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee will shed further light on policy intentions going forward.

Here are the key market events for the week ahead:

Swiss Consumer Price Index (4 January)

The Consumer Price Index in Switzerland stood at 0% in November of 2022, unchanged from the previous month. 

Analysts expect the index to decrease by 0.3% in December.

US ISM Manufacturing PMI (4 January)

The US Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fell to 49 in November 2022 from 50.2 in October, its first contraction since May 2020.

Analysts expect the index to remain at 49.

US JOLTS Job Openings (4 January)

US job openings dropped by 353,000 to 10.3 million in October 2022, according to the JOLTS report. This may indicate that demand for workers has started to slow amid a softer economic forecast and higher interest rates.

Analysts expect that the number of available jobs will decrease more in November to 10.1 million.

FOMC Meeting Minutes (5 January)

In its last monetary policy meeting of 2022, the Federal Reserve raised the fed funds rate by 50bps to 4.25%-4.5%. This was its seventh consecutive rate hike.

The Fed expects that interest rates would reach 5.1% in 2023, 4.1% in 2024, and 3.1% in 2025.

ADP Non-Farm Employment Change (5 January)

The US private sector added only 127,000 jobs in November of 2022, below economists’ expectations.

Economists expect ADP Non-Farm to create another 150,000 jobs in December.

Canada Employment Change (6 January)

In November 2022, 10,100 jobs were added to the Canadian economy, while the unemployment rate stood at 5.1%, decreasing from the previous month’s rate of 5.2%.

Analysts predict that employment will grow by an additional 60,000 positions over the next month, with the unemployment rate to stand at 5.2%.

US Non-Farm Employment Change (6 January)

The US non-farm payrolls report for November showed an increase of 263,000 jobs following a downwardly revised 284,000 gain in October. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%, close to September’s 3.5%.

Analysts expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 3.7% while non-farm payrolls will increase by 220,000 for December.

US ISM Services PMI (6 January)

The US Institute for Supply Management’s Services Index jumped to 56.5 in November from 54.4 in October. It is expected to decline slightly to 53 in December.

Dear Client,

Please note that when constituent stocks of a market index generate dividends, VT Markets will make dividends and deductions for clients who hold the products after the close of the day before the ex-dividend date.

The dividends will not be paid/charged as an inclusion along with Swap. It will be executed separately in your account and the record will be annotated as “Div & Product Name & Net Volume”.

Please note the specific adjustments as follows:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

Dear Client,

Please note that when constituent stocks of a market index generate dividends, VT Markets will make dividends and deductions for clients who hold the products after the close of the day before the ex-dividend date.

The dividends will not be paid/charged as an inclusion along with Swap. It will be executed separately in your account and the record will be annotated as “Div & Product Name & Net Volume”.

Please note the specific adjustments as follows:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

The financial markets will be monitoring the Bank of Japan policy statement this week. The central bank is expected to keep its short-term interest rate at -0.1%, the same as the previous month. 

Meanwhile, Canada will also be under scrutiny, as its Consumer Price Index is expected to rise by 0.4% in November.

Here are the upcoming events for this week:

Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Statement (20 December)

In its October policy statement, the Bank of Japan kept its key short term interest rate at -0.1% and that for 10-year bond yields around 0%. However, it revised its inflation forecast to 2.9% from 2.3% in July, citing surging prices of energy, food, and durable goods.

Analysts expect the bank to keep its policy unchanged for this month.

Canada’s Consumer Price Index (21 December)

Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.7% in October over the previous month. According to analysts, Canada’s CPI is expected to rise a further 0.4% in November.

Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (23 December)

The Canadian economy expanded by 0.1% in September, reversing an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in August.

Economists expect the country’s gross domestic product to be unchanged in October.

US Core PCE Price Index (23 December)

The US Core PCE Price Index, excluding food and energy, increased by 0.2% month-on-month in October compared with 0.5% in September.

Analysts expect the index to rise by another 0.2% in November.

VT Markets, a global multi-asset broker, has announced their overall company performance for 2022. This year, they have further established their position as one of the fastest-growing, most innovative and best-performing brokerages in the industry. 

Significant growth was observed in two key areas of their trading platform — total number of active traders and total volume of trade. Since 2021, the total number of active traders on VT Markets surged by 140%, while the total trading volume saw a 125% increase.

VT Markets’ success was driven by an emphasis on innovation, product diversification and expansion into newer markets. The brokerage ventured beyond traditional trading products, and offered more diverse instruments such as indices, bonds, and ETFs. They also expanded their business operations globally. 

In the last quarter of the year, VT Markets also launched their exclusive loyalty program, VT Markets ClubBleu. This rewarding initiative was put in place as recognition for its clients  who have played a key role in contributing to the growth of the company. 

When reflecting upon the huge strides that VT Markets has taken the past year, Chris Nelson-Smith, Director at VT Markets, commented, “We’re proud of how far we’ve come as a brokerage, and of all the outstanding results we’ve achieved this year. Our customer-centric approach is testament to how much we recognise and value our clients who have unreservedly been an integral part of our long-term success. We are truly grateful for their support, and we promise to continue providing reliable products and personalised services to cater to their needs.”

“We are committed to continuing to develop our offerings to keep up with the changing markets and industry trends so that we can continue to be industry leaders. We look forward to emulating the successes we’ve achieved so far, and  would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of our clients for their continued trust in VT Markets,” Chris Nelson-Smith added. 

Dear Client,

Warmly reminds you that the component stocks in the stock index spot generate dividends. When dividends are distributed, VT Markets will make dividends and deductions for the clients who hold the trading products after the close of the day before the ex-dividend date.

Indices dividends will not be paid/charged as an inclusion along with the swap component. It will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, the comment for which will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.

Please note the specific adjustments as follows:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

The upcoming financial week will be filled with economic data and speculation, as inflation and interest rate decisions will be announced by most central banks.

The CPI inflation figures in the US are expected to rise by 0.3% in November, which might signify another slowdown in inflation. The financial markets will pay close attention to these figures as they could impact the Fed interest rate decision.

The UK Consumer Price Index annual inflation rate is expected to rise to 11.3% in November.

Meanwhile, the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Bank of England (BoE), and European Central Bank (ECB) are scheduled to announce their monetary policy decisions this week.

Here are the financial market updates for the week ahead:

​​UK Gross Domestic Product (12 December)

In September, UK Gross Domestic Product contracted by 0.6% month-on-month, following a downwardly revised 0.1% decline in August.

UK GDP is expected to increase by 0.4% in October.

US Consumer Price Index (13 December)

October’s US CPI increased 0.4% month-on-month, slowing the annual inflation rate in the US to 7.7% in October, the lowest since January 2022. 

Analysts predict that November’s CPI will increase slightly by 0.3%, to 7.6%.

UK Consumer Price Index (14 December)

The CPI annual inflation rate in the UK jumped from 10.1% in September to 11.1% in October, and analysts expect that it will further rise to 11.3% in November.

Fed Interest Rate Decision (15 December)

The Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate by 75bps, to 3.75% – 4% in November, which marks the sixth consecutive hike and the fourth three-quarter point increase.

Jerome Powell, the current Fed chairman, has hinted that the Fed may scale back the pace of its interest rate hikes come December. Analysts believe the Fed will raise the federal funds rate by 50bps this month.

SNB, BoE, ECB Rate Statement (15 December)

Monetary policy decisions by the SNB, BoE, and ECB are being closely monitored this week.

SNB increased its interest rate by 75bps and is forecast to increase by a further 50bps in December to 1%.

BoE voted to raise interest rates by 75bps to 3% in November, with interest rates expected to increase by 50bps to 3.5%.

ECB increased its key interest rate by 75bps. Analysts forecast ECB to raise another 50bps in December.

US Retail Sales (15 December)

The US retail sales rose 1.3% month-on-month in October after a flat reading in September.

According to analysts, retail sales is either expected to maintain at 0.0%, or fall by 0.1% in November.

Eurozone, UK, and US Flash Services and Manufacturing PMI (16 December)

French and German Flash Services PMI declined in November. However, an increase was recorded in their manufacturing PMI.

On the other hand, UK Flash Services and Manufacturing PMI remained the same in November from the previous month. In the US, Flash Services PMI fell from October to November.

Flash Services PMI in France and Germany is expected to decline in December, with UK and US figures forecast to rise. Manufacturing PMI in the UK, France, and Germany may also decline for this month.

Dear Client,

Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.

Please refer to the table below for more details:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.