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Mastering the Markets: How to Trade Forex with Popular Currency Pairs

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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.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Economy

NGX RegCo Cautions Investors on Recent Price Movements

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NGX RegCo

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The investing public has been advised to exercise due diligence before trading stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.

This caution was given by the NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), the independent regulatory arm of the NGX Group Plc.

The advisory became necessary in response to notable price movements observed in the shares of certain listed companies over recent trading sessions.

On Monday, the bourse suspended trading in the shares of newly-listed Zichis Agro-allied Industries Plc. The company’s stocks gained almost 900 per cent within a month of its listing on Customs Street.

In a statement today, NGX RegCo urged investors to avoid speculative trading based on unverified information and to consult licensed intermediaries such as stockbrokers or investment advisers when needed.

It explained that its advisory is part of its standard market surveillance functions, as it serves as a measured reminder for investors to prioritise informed and disciplined decision-making.

The notice emphasised that the Exchange will continue to monitor market activities closely in line with its mandate to ensure a fair, orderly, and transparent market.

“NGX RegCo encourages all investors to base their decisions on publicly available information, including a thorough assessment of company fundamentals, financial performance, and risk profile,” a part of the disclosure said.

It reassured all stakeholders that the NGX remains stable, well-regulated, and resilient, saying the platform continues to foster an environment where investors can participate with confidence, supported by robust oversight and transparent market operations.

“Our primary responsibility is to maintain a level playing field where market participants can trade with confidence, backed by timely and accurate information.

“This advisory is a routine communication, reinforcing that sound fundamentals, not speculation, remain the foundation for sustainable investment outcomes. We are fully committed to preserving the integrity and stability of our market,” the chief executive of NGX RegCo, Mr Olufemi Shobanjo, stated.

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Economy

Stronger Taxpayer Confidence, Others Should Determine Tax Reform Success—Tegbe

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC), Mr Joseph Tegbe, has tasked the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to measure the success of the new tax laws by higher voluntary compliance rates, lower administrative costs, fewer disputes, faster resolution cycles, and stronger taxpayer confidence.

Speaking at the 2026 Leadership Retreat of the agency, Mr Tegbe said, “Sustainable revenue performance is built on trust and efficiency, not enforcement intensity,” emphasising that the legitimacy and predictability of the system are more critical than punitive measures.

He underscored that the country’s tax reform journey is at a critical juncture where effective implementation will determine long-term fiscal outcomes.

The NTPIC chief stressed that tax policy must serve as an enabler of governance, and should embody simplicity, equity, predictability, and administrability at scale.

These principles, he explained, foster voluntary compliance, reduce operational friction, and strengthen investor confidence. He warned that ad-hoc adjustments or policy drift could undermine reform momentum, unsettle businesses, and deter investment, which thrives on predictable rules rather than shifting announcements. Structured sequencing, clear transition mechanisms, and continuous feedback between policymakers and administrators are therefore critical to sustaining reform credibility.

Mr Tegbe further argued that revenue reform cannot succeed in isolation. Achieving sustainable gains requires a whole-of-government approach, leveraging robust taxpayer identification systems, integrated financial data, efficient dispute resolution, and harmonised coordination across federal and sub-national levels. This approach, he said, reduces leakages, eliminates multiple taxation, and reinforces confidence in the system.

He noted that the passage of four new tax laws marks only the beginning of a broader reform agenda, describing the initiative as a systemic recalibration of Nigeria’s fiscal architecture, rather than a routine policy update.

He further asserted that the true measure of success will be the credibility of implementation, not the design of the laws themselves.

The NRS, he noted, functions as the nation’s “Revenue System Integrator,” with outcomes reflecting the strength of an interconnected ecosystem that encompasses policy clarity, enforcement consistency, digital infrastructure, dispute resolution efficiency, and intergovernmental coordination.

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Economy

NUPENG Seeks Clarity on New Oil, Gas Executive Order

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NUPENG

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Union of Natural and Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed deep concern over the Executive Order by President Bola Tinubu mandating the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to remit directly to the federation account.

In a statement signed by its president, Mr William Akporeha, over the weekend in Lagos, the union noted that the absence of detailed public engagement had naturally generated tension within the sector and heightened restiveness among workers, who are anxious to know how the new directive may affect their employment, welfare and job security, especially as it affects NNPC and other major operations in the oil and gas sector.

It pointed out that the industry remained the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to national revenue, foreign exchange earnings, and employment.

The NUPENG president affirmed that any policy shift, particularly one introduced through an Executive Order, has far-reaching consequences for regulatory frameworks, Investment decisions, operational standards, and labour relations within the sector.

According to him, “there is an urgent need for clarity on the scope and objectives of the Executive Order -What precise reforms or adjustments does it introduce? “Its implications for the Petroleum Industry Act -Does the Order amend, interpret, or expand existing provisions under PIA?

“Impact on workers and existing labour agreements-Will it affect job security, conditions of service, Collective Bargaining agreements or ongoing restructuring processes within the industry? “Effects on indigenous participation and local content development -How will it affect Nigerian companies and employment opportunities for citizens?”

He warned that without proper consultation and explanation, misinterpretations of the Executive Order may spread across the industry, potentially destabilising operations and undermining industrial harmony that stakeholders have worked hard to sustain.

“Though our union remains committed to constructive engagement, national development and stability of the oil and gas sector, however, we are duty-bound and constitutionally bound to protect the rights and welfare and job security of our members whose livelihoods depend on a clear, fair and predictable policy framework,” Mr Akporeha further stated.

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