What are ‘pips’ in forex trading?
In forex trading, the smallest price change is the last decimal point. Given that most major currency pairs, such as those involving USD, EUR and GBP, are priced to four decimal places, a pip in this scenario is a price movement of 0.0001. For example, if GBP/USD moved from 1.4000 to 1.4001, it has moved by one pip. Comparatively, currency pairs using the Japanese yen (JPY) are only quoted to two decimal places. In this case, a pip is a price movement of 0.01. For instance, if GBP/JPY moved from 150.00 to 150.05, it has moved by five pips.
You can trade on the forex market through financial instruments such as spread betting and trading CFDs (contracts for difference). This involves opening positions based on the prediction that one currency will strengthen against another. For example, for every pip or point that a currency’s value varies, this will result in profits or losses for the trader, depending on the direction that the market heads.