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Spring Cleaning Your Brain Health

YourUpdateTV

Spring is almost here and it’s time to clear out the cobwebs and rethink and re-energize your health and wellness routines for the rest of the year. And while many people focus on physical health, it’s also important to think about your mental and emotional well-being. Recently, Nutrition Expert, Mia Syn, teamed with The Vitamin Shoppe on a nationwide satellite media tour to help boost your health and wellness going into Spring. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/2NqDH4Uah-A Staying Hydrated Brain health is a critical piece of your overall health that can not only improve your physical health but can also create positive cognitive and emotional impacts that contribute to overall well-being. One thing many people forget about is proper Hydration. Hydration is essential as it assists blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which helps both brain and memory function. Waterdrop is a great way to drink more water and reach your daily hydration goals. Made from natural plant and fruit extracts for flavor, Waterdrop cubes are just dropped into a glass of water and provide you with energy from caffeine, plus essential vitamins and hydration – all without sugar. They come individually wrapped so you can bring them anywhere and just drop into your refillable water bottle! Impact of Stress on the Brain Stress can have many effects on brain health and our overall health, including physical symptoms like headaches and pains, but also things like memory, mood, anxiety levels, and social behaviors. Solaray’s SHARPMIND line of supplements is formulated with clinically studied nutrients, adaptogens and nootropics, to support mental and emotional well-being. The SHARPMIND Mood formula is formulated with holy basil and reishi mushrooms to support stress and mood levels. SHARPMIND Focus has Lion’s Mane mushrooms and Bacopa to support memory and cognitive health. There are also other unique formulas for sleep, energy, and stress, to support different areas of your well-being. Optimizing Physical and Mental Performance Like other parts of your body, your brain needs proper nutrition to perform at its best whether at work, home, or on-the-go. So, whether you want to improve cognitive function, or simply feel healthier and more energetic, we need to make sure our brains are getting what they need. Focus Factor from Synergy CHC contains a clinically-tested and patented combination of neuro-nutrients plus vitamins and minerals. This formula not only helps boost your memory and focus, but it can also replace your everyday multivitamin, making it an excellent 2-for-1 supplement option to help optimize your performance throughout the day. Sleep and Aging Many of us struggle to get the quality sleep we need, and after a night of tossing and turning, we often lack the energy, confidence, and clear thinking we need to accomplish our goals. Somnapure Sleep Gummies from Force Factor can help. Their 100% drug-free, non-habit-forming formula contains a 10 mg dose of melatonin which helps you relax before bed, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. And finally, as people age, our physical and mental performance may require more support. But there are ways for us to address these deficits and maintain our edge. Forebrain Advanced from Force Factor is formulated with brain-boosting herbs and advanced nootropics that can help you achieve better cognitive performance and improve memory and recall. For more information, visit vitaminshoppe.com About Mia Syn Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and founder of Nutrition by Mia, a popular online wellness destination frequented by millions of readers around the globe. She holds a Master of Science in human nutrition from Columbia University and has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Women's Health Magazine, Cosmopolitan and SHAPE. As one of the most recognized and trusted young nutritionists in the country, she has helped hundreds of her clients and millions of her readers lose weight, improve their health and develop better sustainable eating habits for life. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 15, 2023 09:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

TREAT YOURSELF WHILE MEETING YOUR HEALTH GOALS

YourUpdateTV

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to shed light on the food, meals, and habits that impact our overall health and wellness. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn did a satellite media tour to share a few tips and help you enhance your nutrition and wellness plans throughout the coming months. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/zjTgl7jM9CM The key part in planning a nutritional diet that is sustainable is to still enjoy the food that we eat. It’s hard to enjoy and stick with a diet plan when you don’t enjoy the taste. Get more protein into your daily diet An easy way to up your nutrition game is by adding a plant-based protein, like Vega, to your daily routine. Protein powders aren’t just for athletes, they’re an easy and convenient way to increase your protein intake. When it comes to finding a delicious plant-based protein, Vega Original Protein is the best way to get more for your dollar. It’s a great price and each serving has 25g of protein, zero sugar, and 3g of fiber. Even better, Vega Original Protein is rich & creamy, no clumps or grit – so it’s a seriously delicious way to get more protein into your daily diet. Whatever your nutrition goals are incorporating Vega Original Protein is the perfect addition to your routine. Keep your carb and calorie intake under control Another easy way to support your overall health and wellness is to keep an eye on the amount of added sugar and carbohydrates we consume daily. Consumer research shows that more than half of shoppers are looking for foods with less sugar and more than a third look for fewer carbohydrates on nutrition labels. To those following the Keto diet or just looking to make nutritious choices alike, Mission Foods ’ new Zero Net Carbs tortillas are a great option. They are not only zero net carbs and zero sugar, but also Keto-certified, high in fiber and low in calories and taste amazing. These tortillas are offered in two delicious flavors: Original — the flavor Mission customers know and love, and Sundried Tomato Basil — packed with zesty sundried tomatoes and fresh basil flavors to ensure consumers can lose the carbs without losing taste. Mission Foods’ Zero Net Carbs tortillas are available in stores across the U.S. and further the company’s legacy of innovating healthy, delicious, high-quality food that everyone can enjoy. Snacking without feeling guilty Snacking can be an issue for some people, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make it nutritious. Did you know walnuts are likely one of the heart healthiest foods found in your fridge? According to the latest research, eating walnuts in linked to heart health benefits. Walnuts are packed with nutrition and are the only nut that offer an excellent source of plant-based omega 3-ALA.There are endless ways for people to enjoy walnuts in their favorite dishes and snacks, and their versatility can serve both sweet and savory cravings throughout the day. Walnuts have a rich, nutty flavor and satisfying texture that is great for making plant-based walnut tacos or pizza bites. When you need a quick boost and you’re tempted by candy or chips, reach for a tasty, better-for-you made-with-walnuts snack instead. Pro tip: Make sure to store your walnuts in your fridge or freezer for optimal freshness! Check walnuts.org for recipes the whole family will love. Active and on the go? The Honey Stinger products are perfect for active individuals because they are designed with the right amount of protein, fat and carbs to help you achieve your own activity goals and because they are delicious it makes it easy. Honey Stinger products includes Waffles; Energy Chews; Bars and Hydration Mixes … all in variety of sizes and flavors. In fact, more than 1,000 pro and college teams trust Honey Stinger to help them achieve their performance goals and feel better while they do it. Launching this month is the new Honey Stinger Oat + Honey Bar which is a delicious new pre-workout bar to help you start strong. For more information, visit nutritionbymia.com About Mia Syn Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and founder of Nutrition By Mia, a popular online wellness destination frequented by millions of readers around the globe. She holds a Master of Science in human nutrition from Columbia University and has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Women's Health Magazine, Cosmopolitan and SHAPE. As one of the most recognized and trusted young nutritionists in the country, she has helped hundreds of her clients and millions of her readers lose weight, improve their health and develop better sustainable eating habits for life. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 13, 2023 10:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Pros and Cons of an ECN Forex Broker

LonghornFX

Although electronic communication network (ECN) technology has existed since the 1970s, it wasn’t until 1999 that it appeared on the foreign exchange (forex) market. In many ways, it represented the great equalizer, creating level ground with an accent on execution speed and cost transparency. This article will look into the peculiar details of ECN brokers — explain their business model, and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of this trading network. What is an ECN Broker? An ECN broker is a financial intermediary that allows its clients to execute orders on financial markets through an electronic communications network (ECN). This broker is strictly an intermediary, so it doesn’t take these orders on its books but simply matches them between the market participants. Because an ECN broker often uses multiple liquidity providers, the spread (difference between the buy and sell prices) is usually narrower. Instead of offering wider spreads, the ECN broker receives compensation through a fixed commission per transaction. Understanding the Electronic Communication Network ECN is a network that automatically matches orders between participants in the financial markets. Those participants can be institutions like banks or hedge funds but also small individual traders. The focus is on speed, and every participant can access the same price feed. This price reflects the highest bid and lowest ask on the open market. The current and the most recent price history is also available, enabling transparency and easier analysis. ECN trading is entirely anonymous, providing privacy to those who need it — particularly institutions that can be vulnerable to competition if their orders are discovered. Benefits of ECN Brokers ECN brokers offer significant benefits. Consider the following: Lower Bid and Ask Spreads ECN brokers consolidate price quotes from liquidity providers, offering deeper liquidity. For that reason, spreads are smaller, creating particularly beneficial situations for short-term, high-frequency traders. Quicker Trade Execution ECN functions as an automated system that matches market participants' orders directly. Because the broker only passes trades through, there is no dealing desk downside, such as price requotes that might delay the execution. Flexibility ECN brokers don’t operate dealing desks, giving them higher flexibility in their operations. Meanwhile, an ECN network allows traders to trade over-the-counter (OTC) even outside the busiest market hours without a conflict of interest with the broker as a counterparty. Flat Commission Rate ECN brokers charge a volume-based commission rate while minimizing or, in some instances, eliminating the spread. This approach allows for better trade planning because total fees are just a simple calculation away. Drawbacks of ECN Brokers ECN brokers offer many benefits, but their business model isn’t without downsides. Market Fragmentation Market fragmentation is a phenomenon of the same asset trading at different prices. With ECN brokers, that might happen if the underlying asset experiences a dip in liquidity when fulfilling a large order outside of high market hours. High Minimum Account Values and Trade Sizes ECN brokers make money on trading volume. Still, providing a customer with the service is a cost that needs to be recouped so ECN brokers often have higher minimum account and trade sizes. Can Be Less User-Friendly ECN broker platforms sometimes don’t offer extensive charting capabilities, news feeds or other features that might help traders. Traders who want those features should test ECN brokers before committing. ECN Brokers vs. Dealing Desk Brokers ECN brokers focus on matching the order with an opposite one from their liquidity pool. They’re also referred to as nondealing desk brokers because they don’t trade themselves. Dealing desk brokers take the other side of the trade and then manage that risk. Essentially, they make the market so they are classified as the market maker. This approach allows for offering more stable or fixed spreads. But those spreads are usually higher to compensate for risk and enable the dealing desk to profit by selling at a higher price. Traders have two main issues with dealing desk brokers. The first is the conflict of interest because the broker trades against the trader and profits from its loss — encouraging price manipulation. Second is price requotes and execution delays that might arise in unstable market conditions. Suitable for Most Traders Needs In the early days of electronic trading, the broker market in many ways resembled Wild West. Despite some honest operators leading the way, many shady or straight-out illegal brokers made and broke the market to steal clients’ funds. In those circumstances, ECN was the breakthrough technology. It leveled the playing field, giving all market participants the same access and opportunities. At the same time, it created a transparent environment where brokers have no conflict of interest but simply focus on fulfilling orders for a commission — an environment that perfectly suits most traders’ needs. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details LonghornFX help@longhornfx.com Company Website https://www.longhornfx.com/

March 13, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Get your weekly groceries without having to pause your busy lifestyle

YourUpdateTV

Recently, Multimedia Reporter and Trend Expert, Milly Almodovar conducted a satellite media tour to share tips on how to get your weekly groceries without having to pause your busy lifestyle and sacrifice any of your time. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/zoJgne9Nq-U More and more consumers want faster, easier and affordable ways to get their essential items the same day without sacrificing time or quality. DoorDash launched on-demand grocery delivery in 2020, and over the last few years, it has accelerated its growth beyond restaurants, introducing on-demand grocery, convenience store delivery,, and more on the DoorDash app with partners including Albertsons-Safeway, Aldi, Dollar General, Hy-Vee, Meijer, Sprouts, Walgreens, and Wawa®. Today, there are tens of thousands of non-restaurant retail stores on the DoorDash platform across North America. DoorDash grocery delivery can help you save on time and money. “With DoorDash, you can eliminate all the fuss of waiting in long lines and looking for parking” says Almodovar. It’s convenient, easy, and more affordable than you may realize. You can save with DoorDash thanks to frequent deals, discounts, and more. The delivery app has been trusted to deliver meals from your favorite restaurants, and now, they can deliver your groceries too to make your favorite meals at home. Right now the best deal you can get is 30% off your first grocery order of $30 or more with the code: WEGETGROCERIES. So not only is DoorDash saving you money, but they’re saving you time and you know that’s priceless.” Its mission is to bring the best of every local neighborhood to consumers on-demand, from the weekly stock up to the last-minute ingredients needed for dinner tonight. The DoorDash app is available in the app store for iPhone and Google play store for Android. For more information, visit doordash.com/grocery-delivery. BIO: About Milly Almodovar Milly Almodovar is the former Senior Beauty Editor of Cosmopolitan for Latinas, now multimedia reporter, hispanic trends expert and TV Lifestyle and Beauty expert. You can find her on shows like Good Morning America, The Today Show, Rachael Ray, Dr Phil, etc. When Milly isn't working, she enjoys watching true crime shows and taking salsa lessons. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 09, 2023 12:32 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

USMJ.com Partnership & New Products

North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc.

McapMediaWire - - North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC: USMJ ) - USMJ.com has established a new partnership with Nature’s Perfect Hemp, out of Tennessee. Nature’s Perfect Hemp has a wide variety of products that range from CBD, Delta-8, Delta-9 & Delta-10 in various formats for customers to take their cannabinoids. Link to Nature’s Perfect Hemp products Some key facts about the partnership & products: All new products have been 3 party tested Vapes, Prerolls, Gummies come in a variety of flavors All Products are available for wholesale through USMJ looks to cultivate and grow partnerships with American Based companies for the ever-growing cannabis market. “I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership with David Cooper & Nature’s Perfect Hemp” says, Steven Rash, CEO, North American Cannabis Holdings. “It’s been a while since I’ve been excited from an opportunity standpoint, and we’ve been working hard to get this done. It’s ready and I hope our customers are ready.” David Cooper, CEO of Nature’s Perfect Hemp, started his company back in 2017. After dealing with pain from surgeries and rehabilitation he encountered Hemp. Just a couple drops a day relieved his pain and turned a complicated lifestyle into a normal lifestyle. Experimenting with his own personal formulation which allowed him to modify for his personal needs. These formulas became Nature’s Perfect Hemp. “Steve is a professional businessman, and exiting our meeting he was extremely about our future business together. We’re happy to have our products listed on USMJ.com ” says, David Cooper, CEO of Nature’s Perfect Hemp. “When we first chatted with USMJ, we knew there would be synergy and an opportunity for growth on both fronts.” Vendors looking to partner with USMJ.com may read about the process and apply here: https://usmj.com/pages/vendor-inquiries Background: USMJ.com is a line of business of North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. USMJ.com is one of the largest and fastest growing marketplaces to shop for CBD, CBG, hemp and cannabis essentials. Additionally, UMSJ.com has multiple B2B programs and partnerships offering them access to the tools and products USMJ.com has to offer. Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For More Information Contact Steven Rash North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc +1 888 694 8765 info@shopusmj.com David Cooper https://naturesperfecthemp.com info@naturesperfecthemp.com Contact Details North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc info@aciconglomerated.com Company Website https://usmj.com/

March 09, 2023 09:54 AM Eastern Standard Time

Is Forex Trading Hard?

CedarFX

The foreign exchange, or forex, market is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily trading volume of more than $7.5 trillion (as of April 2022), according to the Bank for International Settlements. However, retail traders form only 5.5% of the total forex traders globally. Multinational and investment banks, institutional investors and government agencies control over 90% of the total trades. Retail traders often find it daunting or extremely expensive to enter the forex market because of the sheer trading size requirements and the extreme market volatility. The forex market is open 24 hours a day five days a week and is sensitive to developments in economies. Markets are most active during certain hours, so a trader has to keep up to date with market news and events and remain active during the most active trading hours to generate hefty profits. What is Forex? The foreign exchange market facilitates the trading of national currencies. More than 170 currencies are used in the world, but seven currencies dominate the majority of the transactions in the forex market — U.S. dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Great British Pound (GBP), Australian dollar (AUD), Japanese yen (JPY), Swiss franc (CHF) and New Zealand dollar (NZD). These currencies form the major currency pairs in the forex market and account for nearly 75% of the total trades. USD is considered the reserve currency of the world and has been on one side of 88% of all international forex trades. Lesser-dominant currencies, particularly the fiat money of emerging economies, are often grouped to form “exotic currency pairs.” Given the relatively lower demand for such currencies, they are not traded frequently and have higher bid-ask spreads. As they are traded in lowers volumes, exotic pairs are highly illiquid in nature and are also more volatile than major currencies. What Makes Forex Trading Difficult? The forex market opens at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Sunday and remains active for 24 hours a day throughout the week till 4 p.m. EST on Friday. Also, foreign exchange rates are highly volatile, as even a minor development in one country or a geopolitical event can result in massive currency rate fluctuations. In addition, forex trades are often conducted on margin and are typically placed in lots. For reference, a standard lot size is 100,000 units of the base currency. Investors opting for margin trading borrow funds from brokers, amplifying losses and increasing risk. Margin traders are required to put up a certain proportion of capital as minimum margin and maintenance margin. Want to Start Forex Trading? Here’s Where to Start Currency trading might seem unnerving, but successful forex trades can generate a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to equivalent stock trades within a shorter time span. Follow these steps to begin your forex trading journey: Find a Reputable Broker Finding an appropriate broker that matches your investment requirements and risk appetite is the first step to currency trading. While there are numerous online brokers available, selecting the right broker will minimize your transaction expenses and improve profit margins. You can take a look at some of the best forex brokers here. Start With a Demo Account Forex trading might be confusing for beginners and can result in high losses if not strategically executed. Most online forex brokers allow novice traders to open a free demo account, which simulates real-life trading in forex markets. Traders can see in real-time how currency pairs move and practice investing in a risk-free environment. Learn the Fundamentals of the Markets Practicing investing in the forex market is a great way to understand the fundamentals of foreign exchange. Apart from knowing the basics such as market timing and the most popular currency pairs, a forex trader should begin researching key essential forex jargon such as lot size, bid-ask spread, pips and leverage as well as orient themselves with popular currency trading strategies. This practice will help them build adequate knowledge about forex trading. Apart from providing demo trading accounts, some of the best forex brokers provide educational content on their websites to help beginners understand the complex workings of the currency trading market. Pay Attention to Risk Management Risk management is crucial while investing in forex, as the potential for losses is high. Most forex trades are placed on margin, which magnifies the risk of losses on an adverse trade. Implementing risk management strategies such as placing stop-loss orders and limiting the use of leverage can help a forex trader mitigate the market risk with ease. Work With a Broker You Can Trust Choosing a broker that fits your investment profile is one important part to becoming a successful forex trader. Online forex brokers that have a short processing time and low commission fees are often the most favored, as forex trades are typically required to be executed as soon as possible to capitalize on price swings. Amid the rising popularity of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, the world’s first eco-friendly forex trading platform CedarFX is gaining traction rapidly. You can check out CedarFX’s review here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details CedarFX +1 877-440-9464 info@cedarfx.com Company Website https://www.cedarfx.com/

March 09, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Fundamental Factors That Affect Exchange Rates for Forex Traders

CedarFX

Investors often hesitate to invest in the foreign exchange (forex) market, as its sheer size and volatility can be daunting. Geopolitical relations and current events have a major impact on currency exchange rates so the forex market is more volatile than traditional stocks or bonds. But most short-term fluctuations are chalked up to market noise. Identifying the fundamental factors affecting exchange rates can help traders capitalize on market fluctuations and boost their profit margins. Understanding Exchange Rates The exchange rate refers to the value at which one currency can be exchanged for another. At the time of writing, the USD/CAD exchange rate stood at 1.35, while the USD/EUR was 0.93. This means that one U.S. dollar buys 1.35 Canadian dollars but only 0.93 Euros. Traders essentially buy one currency at the rate in which one currency can be exchanged for another in the forex market. If traders expect a currency such as the U.S. dollar to appreciate against the Euro, they will buy USD/EUR currency pair (go long). If the consensus is that USD will plummet relative to EUR, traders will sell, or short, the major currency pair. Common Economics That Impact Forex Traders Several fundamental factors cause exchange rates to rise or fall. Understanding the primary economic factors influencing the U.S. dollar can help amateur traders build a solid foundation regarding forex trading, as the greenback was one side of approximately 88% of all forex trades as of April 2022, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Inflation Rates Inflation typically has a negative impact on a currency and the corresponding exchange rate. The purchasing power of a currency plummets during periods of inflation, causing it to depreciate relative to foreign currencies. As the cost of goods and services rise in a home country, the demand for them falls in the international market. As a result, the demand for the corresponding currency declines as well, causing its value to fall with respect to other currencies. For instance, because of the hyperinflation crisis in Sri Lanka in 2022, its central bank intervened to devalue the Sri Lankan rupee by 15% in March. Terms of Trade Terms of trade (TOT) is the value of a country’s export prices with respect to its import prices. It is derived by dividing total export prices by import prices. A positive TOT ratio indicates the total value of exports is higher than the total value of imports. Consequently, the demand for domestic currency is higher in the international market, reflecting currency strength. But if imports exceed exports, the value of the domestic currency tends to fall, causing the equivalent exchange rates to depreciate. Government Debt Government debt reflects the overall strength of an economy and market confidence in its legal tender. A country with a very high debt level runs the risk of default, which will result in the currency depreciating. The level of federal debt typically affects the market faith in a currency, and any change in the total borrowings has a direct impact on its exchange rates relative to other currencies. The U.S. hit its debt ceiling limit on Jan. 19, raising alarms regarding the government’s ability to meet its payment obligations. If Congress fails to pass a resolution to raise the debt ceiling, the U.S. dollar could fall significantly. Recessions Exchange rates tend to fall during periods of economic downturn or recession. As the aggregate demand and consumer spending fall, the currency’s value also declines with respect to other foreign fiat currencies. Recession warnings issued last year by analysts and economists caused the U.S. dollar to fall late last year. The U.S. Dollar Index has declined by 3.7% over the past three months despite the Federal Reserve’s persistent rate hikes. The reserve currency index hit its nine-month low on Feb. 1 amid recession warnings and the Fed’s signal for slower rate hikes for the upcoming months. Political Stability and Performance Geopolitical tensions have caused forex market volatility to multiply over the past few years. Current market and political news play an important role in influencing exchange rates and often cause wild swings in the forex market. Illustrating with an example, the Russian ruble hit its all-time low after the country waged a war against Ukraine last February. Also, the Turkish lira hits a new record low against USD after the devastating earthquake as concerns regarding the economic stability of the region were brought into question. The economic crisis in Pakistan has caused the Pakistani rupee to fall heavily against the greenback. Forex Trading Demystified While the daily fluctuations in exchange rates can appear daunting, fundamental factors typically have a long-term impact on exchange rates, while the impact of daily news on currencies is typically recovered intraday or within the short term. An economy’s health, growth prospects and overall stability are the primary factors you should consider before trading the respective currency. Analyzing a currency’s relative performance with other major currencies is important. For instance, almost all economies in the world were affected by raging inflation levels last year, causing major currency fluctuations. Also, the U.S. dollar is expected to remain strong against European currencies and the Chinese yuan despite the recession concerns, primarily because of the economic stability of the nation. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details CedarFX +1 877-440-9464 info@cedarfx.com Company Website https://www.cedarfx.com/

March 09, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

What is an Islamic Forex Account?

LonghornFX

Few social-cultural systems have impacted our society more than religion. The belief in a higher power has shaped the world through rituals, sermons and other practices but also through defining the fundamental guidelines of social behavior within the communities. For religions like Islam, those guidelines include extensive references to finance, creating the concept of Islamic finance. Offering foreign exchange (forex) services to Muslim customers has to be in accordance with their beliefs through special Islamic accounts. This article will cover the basics of Islamic forex accounts — how they work and what makes them different from ordinary ones. Fundamentals of Halal Forex Trading Islam is an old religion with complex guidelines, many of which offer in-depth principles for financial business. Although some of them sound outdated by modern standards, their principles still apply. For example, a trade has to be immediately exchanged. This concept works through over-the-counter (OTC) trading. No interest is involved in any form, credited or debited. Halal forex trading has to be swap-free — without an interest fee for an overnight position. Finally, forex trading has an advantage over other markets in terms of short-selling. Islam prohibits short selling — borrowing an asset while betting on its price decline. But currencies trade as a pair so selling a currency doesn’t have to involve borrowing any asset or interest element. Is Forex Trading Halal or Haram? Forex trading can be both halal or haram. It depends on the individual’s attitude toward it. According to Islamic law, something is considered forbidden or “haram” based on the guidelines of the Holy Quran. The forex-related prohibited activities include charging interest and gambling. While Islamic forex accounts operate without charging interest, the gambling factor is partially up to the traders themselves. Is their strategy sound? Are they operating with a specific purpose or randomly? Islam doesn’t prohibit conducting regular business, which involves taking on risk, yet by removing the leverage factor, an Islamic forex broker removes the gambling element — making the trading halal. Understanding How Islamic Forex Accounts Function Islamic forex accounts have few key differences from regular accounts. Here are four things to keep in mind when trading through an Islamic forex account. Commissions Islamic accounts are swap-free, meaning they don’t pay or earn swaps or interest on any trades. Instead, most brokers opt for a flat financing charge rate, also known as a commission, that depends on the currency pair. While popular pairs such as USD/JPY might have a low commission, exotic ones like EUR/ZAR might be 10 times more expensive. Eliminating Interest Earning or charging interest or riba is one of the critical haram concepts in Islamic finance. In forex trading, interest is charged or accrued for trades that roll over into the next day. Islamic forex accounts don’t offer this, preventing some strategies based on that concept. For example, borrowing the lower interest rate currency to fund a purchase of a higher interest rate currency is known as a carry. Yet, Muslim traders should not pursue it, nor should it work on Islamic forex accounts. Limited Currency Pairs Using an Islamic forex account might limit access to some exotic currency pairs. This is mainly because of the broker’s expenses associated with the significant interest rate differentials. Exotic currency pairs involve emerging markets that often have high-interest rates, such as Turkey or Thailand, and brokers cannot process those trades under halal guidelines. This limitation doesn’t impact most traders who prefer to stick with the most popular currencies: the U.S. dollar (USD), the Euro (EUR), the Japanese yen (JPY), the British pound (GBP), the Canadian dollar (CAD), the Swiss franc (CHF), the Australian dollar (AUD) and the New Zealand dollar (NZD). Wider Spreads By offering leveraged trading through borrowed funds, brokers make a sizeable portion of their income by charging swap interest. Because charging interest is not allowed in Islamic finance, they have to find some other compensation to make it up by setting a wider spread. This spread seldom makes a difference for long-term traders, but it makes short-term trading (scalping) much harder. Traders who execute tens of daily trades might have to adjust their approach as fees and spreads quickly add up, eating into the profits. Religious Compliance Comes With Restrictions Religion is essential to many people’s lives. Its influence stretches far beyond the spiritual element and sometimes deep into established business practices. Currency exchange is a fundamental part of international business, and the only way it works is through currency trading. By collaborating with Islamic scholars, forex brokers found a way to offer their services in a halal way. While it limits access to some markets or prevents pursuing specific strategies, it is a small price to access one of the largest markets in the world. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details LonghornFX help@longhornfx.com Company Website https://www.longhornfx.com/

March 09, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

The True Impact of Monetary Policy on the Forex Market

LonghornFX

Monetary policy is perhaps the most pivotal driver impacting foreign exchange (forex) because it influences the currencies in circulation. Following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of hike rates to tame inflation, the U.S. dollar strengthened significantly compared to other currencies. The Fed hiked the benchmark federal funds rate seven times last year, causing the greenback to register its best year since 2016. However, the trends have changed this year, as the Fed has signaled lower rate hikes. The U.S. dollar index slumped last week as the central bank raised the interest rate by 25 basis points. Let’s take a closer look at the correlation between monetary policy and the forex market to better understand exchange rate fluctuations. What Is Monetary Policy? Monetary policy is one of the most important tools used by central banks worldwide to regulate the total currencies in circulation. Controlling the aggregate money supply has implications for a nation’s economic growth, employment, inflation level and forex markets. The U.S. central bank controls the total amount of U.S. dollars in circulation globally at any given point in time, while the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England control the quantity of euro (EUR) and Great British Pound (GBP) disseminated worldwide. A central bank has several tools at its disposal, allowing it to properly regulate an economy’s money supply. The Federal funds rate, which is the rate at which banks can lend and borrow excess funds overnight, is often the most common parameter by central banks globally. Other policy tools include open market operations, under which the Fed buys and sells government bonds (Treasuries), and discount window and rate, which is the interest rate charged by the Fed on loans to commercial banks. Types of Monetary Policy Central banks use monetary policy tools to increase, decrease or maintain a currency’s total supply to meet the economic goals set forth or address macroeconomic headwinds. Let’s look at the four types of monetary policies. Restrictive monetary policy: This policy is implemented when a central bank aims to reduce a nation’s total currency in circulation. Raising the benchmark interest rate is a standard technique implemented for restrictive monetary policies. This process raises the average borrowing costs in a country, thereby encouraging businesses and investors to scale down their operations. Other commonly used restrictive monetary policy tools are raising the discount rate and selling government bonds in the open market. The Fed has raised the federal funds rate eight times since last year, while the ECB increased its interest rate five times since 2022. Expansionary monetary policy: Under expansionary policies, central banks boost the total money supply to promote economic growth. Borrowing becomes cheaper under this policy, encouraging people to spend more. As a result, the aggregate demand rises, prompting a rise in total production and gross domestic product (GDP). Banks lower interest rates and discount rates and buy government bonds and other debt to improve and raise the total money supply. During the initial wave of COVID-19, central banks around the world adopted an expansionary monetary policy to mitigate the impact of the global lockdown. The Fed lowered its benchmark rate to near-zero levels during the first quarter of 2020 and also implemented a significant quantitative easing strategy. Accommodative monetary policy: This is when central banks raise the total money supply in economies to prevent stagnation for fuel economic growth. It is similar to expansionary monetary policy, as banks use similar tools to effectuate an accommodative policy. The Fed implemented an accommodative policy to bring the U.S. economy out of recession in 2008 when the unemployment rate hovered at 6.5%, while inflation fell below 2% and was projected to decline further. Neutral monetary policy: When an economy runs at the perfect pace, a central bank pursues a neutral monetary policy to maintain the equilibrium. It is imperative that such a policy is only used when the “economic conditions are just right,” as stated by Janet Yellen, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Theoretically, a nation with the highest possible GDP growth rate, inflation below the predetermined target and operating at the natural rate of unemployment is considered to be in equilibrium, allowing for the utilization of a neutral monetary policy. So, What’s the Real Effect of Monetary Policies on Forex Traders? Typically, when a central bank implements a contractionary monetary policy, the respective currency strengthens, causing associated exchange rates to rise. Illustrating with an example, assume 1 USD = 100 JPY (Japanese yen). If the U.S. dollar appreciates in value, then 1 unit of the greenback can buy even more units of JPY. Thus, the new forex rate can be 1 USD = 103 JPY. However, if the markets expect contractionary policies to slow down in the upcoming months or have already priced in the impact, the forex rate might fall. Recently, as the Fed hiked rates by only 25 basis points earlier this month and signaled tamer hikes ahead, the US dollar index declined marginally year-to-date. Monetary Policy: The Key Driver for the Forex Market Monetary policy is the most important economic factor influencing forex rates. While it is difficult to know the exact monetary policy tools a central bank might use to regulate a currency, economists often release predictions regarding the next plausible move by the central bank. Committee heads release their own statements and projections. The Federal Open Market Committee members and regional Fed chairpersons also announce their official projections, which are combined to create a Fed Dot Plot. Studying these projections can give traders an idea about the monetary policy tools a central bank might enforce in the near term, thereby allowing them to make an informed bet in the forex market. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details LonghornFX help@longhornfx.com Company Website https://www.longhornfx.com/

March 09, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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