Economy
Mastering the Markets: How to Trade Forex with Popular Currency Pairs
Forex trading, also known as foreign exchange trading or currency trading, is the act of buying and selling currencies on the financial market. Understanding how to trade forex requires an appreciation of the various components that make up this vast market – particularly the currency pairs that are most commonly traded.
The forex market is the largest financial market in the world, and it operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, facilitating currency trades that span from New York to Sydney, Tokyo to London. When considering how to trade forex, one of the first concepts to grasp is that of currency pairs. These pairs represent the valuation of one currency against another and are categorized into majors, minors, and exotics.
The most popular currency pairs – known as the ‘majors’ – comprise a significant portion of global forex trading. They are liquid, widely traded, and include currencies from the world’s most stable and robust economies. These pairs include:
- EUR/USD (Euro/US Dollar)
- USD/JPY (US Dollar/Japanese Yen)
- GBP/USD (British Pound/US Dollar)
- AUD/USD (Australian Dollar/US Dollar)
- USD/CAD (US Dollar/Canadian Dollar)
- USD/CHF (US Dollar/Swiss Franc)
- NZD/USD (New Zealand Dollar/US Dollar)
The allure of trading the majors lies in their predictability and the abundant market information available. They often have narrower spreads compared to other pairs, which means the cost of entry is lower for traders. Additionally, because the economies behind these currencies are generally more stable, the majors tend to exhibit less volatility, making them attractive to both novice and experienced traders.
When exploring how to trade forex, one should also consider the ‘cross currency pairs’ or ‘minors,’ which do not include the US dollar. Pairs like EUR/GBP (Euro/British Pound), AUD/JPY (Australian Dollar/Japanese Yen), and EUR/AUD (Euro/Australian Dollar) offer traders a range of opportunities but can carry more risk due to higher volatility and wider spreads.
Beyond the majors and minors are the ‘exotic’ pairs, which typically pair a major currency with a currency from an emerging economy or a smaller market, like USD/SGD (US Dollar/Singapore Dollar) or USD/NOK (US Dollar/Norwegian Krone). These pairs are less liquid and can be subject to larger spreads and more abrupt price movements.
For those learning how to trade forex, starting with the majors is advisable due to their liquidity and the wealth of economic data that influences their movements. Factors such as interest rates, political stability, and economic performance can impact currency values, so traders must stay informed about global economic events.
Technical and fundamental analysis are two strategies commonly used when trading forex. Technical analysis involves studying charts and patterns to make trading decisions, while fundamental analysis looks at economic indicators, news, and reports to predict price movements.
The forex market offers high leverage, which means traders can control a large position with a relatively small amount of capital. However, this also increases the potential for higher gains as well as higher losses, which is why risk management is a critical aspect of forex trading.
Forex trading platforms have made it easier than ever to engage with the market. With a computer or smartphone, traders can access the market from anywhere, using a variety of tools to analyze and execute trades. Most platforms offer demo accounts, allowing individuals to practice how to trade forex without risking real money.
For novices interested in how to trade forex, it’s important to begin with education. Many online courses, webinars, and books are available to help understand market analysis, risk management, and trading psychology. It is also wise to start trading on a demo account to build skills without financial risk.
In summary, trading forex involves buying and selling currency pairs, with the majors being the most popular due to their stability and liquidity. Success in forex trading comes from a combination of market knowledge, analysis, and prudent risk management. With dedication and the right education, traders can navigate the forex market and potentially benefit from the opportunities it offers.
Economy
Presco, GTCO List Additional Shares on Stock Exchange
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The duo of Presco Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The extra equities of these two publicly-listed organisations were admitted to the local stock exchange last Friday, increasing their respective total issued and fully paid-up shares.
For Presco, it listed fresh 166,666,667 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each on the daily official list of the NGX on Friday, January 30, 2026, increasing its total issued and fully paid-up stocks from 1,000,000,000 units to 1,166,666,667 units.
The additional equities were from the rights issue of the firm allotted to shareholders on the basis of one new share for every existing six ordinary shares held as at close of business on Monday, October 13, 2025.
In a circular issued over the weekend, the NGX said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that additional 166,666,667 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Presco Plc were on Friday, January 30, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited (NGX).
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 166,666,667 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N1,420.00 per share on the basis of one new share for every existing six ordinary shares held as at close of business on Monday, October 13, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 166,666,667 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Presco Plc has now increased from 1,000,000,000 to 1,166,666,667 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
As for GTCO, it listed additional125,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N80.00 per unit offered through private placement.
The fresh equities taken to Customs Street have raised the total issued and fully paid-up shares of GTCO from 36,425,229,514 to 36,550,229,514 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
Economy
FG, States, Local Councils Share N1.969trn FAAC Allocation
By Adedapo Adesanya
A total of N1.969 trillion was shared to the federal government, the 36 state governments and the 774 local government councils from the gross revenue of N2.585 trillion generated by the nation in December 2025.
The money was disbursed to the three tiers of government at the January 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Bawa Mokwa, it was stated that the FAAC allocation comprised statutory revenue of N1.084 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N846.507 billion, and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N38.110 billion.
“Total deduction for cost of collection was N104.697 billion, while total transfers, refunds, and savings were N511.585 billion,” the statement partly read.
It was also revealed that from the N1.969 trillion total distributable revenue, the federal Government received the sum of N653.500 billion, and the state governments received N706.469 billion, the local government councils received N513.272 billion, and the sum of N96.083 billion was shared with the benefiting state as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
He said of the N1.084 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the central government received N520.807 billion, the state governments got N264.160 billion, the local councils were given N203.656 billion, and N96.083 billion was shared to the benefiting states as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
FAAC noted that from the N846.507 billion distributable VAT earnings, the federal government got N126.976 billion, the state governments received N423.254 billion, and the local government councils got N296.277 billion.
From the revenue from EMTL, Mr Mokwa explained that the national government was given N5.717 billion, the state governments got N19.055 billion, and the councils collected N13.338 billion.
He added that the companies’ Income Tax (CIT)/CGT and STD, Import Duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) increased significantly in December, while oil and gas royalty, CET levies and fees increase marginally, with excise duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT)/Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), and EMTL considerably down.
Economy
Oil Exports to Drop as Shell Commences Maintenance on Bonga FPSO
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s oil exports will drop in February following the shutdown of the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel scheduled for turnaround maintenance.
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) Limited confirmed the development in a statement issued, adding that gas output will also decline during the maintenance period.
This comes as SNEPCo begun turnaround maintenance on the Bonga FPSO, the statement signed by its Communications Manager, Mrs Gladys Afam-Anadu, said, describing the exercise as a statutory integrity assurance programme designed to extend the facility’s operational lifespan.
SNEPCo Managing Director, Mr Ronald Adams, said the maintenance would ensure safe, efficient operations for another 15 years.
“The scheduled maintenance is designed to reduce unplanned deferments and strengthen the asset’s overall resilience.
“We expect to resume operations in March following completion of the turnaround,” he said.
Mr Adams said the scope included inspections, certification, regulatory checks, integrity upgrades, engineering modifications and subsea assurance activities.
“The FPSO, about 120 kilometres offshore in over 1,000 metres of water, can produce 225,000 barrels of oil daily.
“It also produces 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day,” he said.
He said maintaining the facility was critical to Nigeria’s production stability, energy security and revenue objectives.
Mr Adams noted that the 2024 Final Investment Decision on Bonga North increased the importance of the FPSO’s reliability. He said the turnaround would prepare the facility for additional volumes from the Bonga North subsea tie-back project.
According to him, the last turnaround maintenance was conducted in October 2022.
“On February 1, 2023, the asset produced its one billionth barrel since operations began in 2005,” Mr Adams said.
SNEPCo operates the Bonga field in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, under a Production Sharing Contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The last turnaround maintenance activity on the FPSO took place in October 2022. On February 1, the following year, the asset delivered its 1 billionth barrel of oil since production commenced in 2005.
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