Giles Coghlan LLB, Lth, MA
Financial Source
A different topic for us to look at today as we await the outcome of the US elections. Around 15% of daily spot FX trading is executed by algorithms. So, what is an algorithm? It is an automated trading program that places a trade according to a pre-defined set of instructions. These algorithms have developed from very simple rule based mechanisms to more advanced strategies that respond to different market conditions.
So, which are the main currencies are using EA’s?
In a Markets Committee survey where algorithm providers where asked which currencies EA’s were used with and what the size of the ticket was the following answered were given. Look at the results of the survey below. It is no surprise that around 94% of G7 currencies have clients using EA’s. This is for the major currencies like the USD, the EUR and the GBP etc. The average ticket size is around 31 million for this G7 block.
So, what are the consequences of using algorithms?
One hidden impact of their use has been a move towards market makers, often the bank, trying to match orders internally without passing them on to external venues. This trend has now raised some concerns with the Bank of International Settlements as if too much internal order sorting takes place then the quality of prices reported may be undermined. You could envisage a situation where the reported prices is not reflecting the true price. This could also cause the trading volumes on primary venues to drop. This matters because prices from primary trading venues such as Refinitiv and EBS are used as reference prices for other currency trading platforms and for bilateral trading.
Another impact to be aware of is the rise of ‘flash crashes’. These are sudden violent moves in markets and they appear to be accented by algorithmic trading. The most likely time for a flash crash is after the close of the US session and before the open of the Asian session, so this is something to be aware of if you are holding trades over that time.
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Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD treads water above 1.1850 amid thin trading
EUR/USD stays defensive but holds 1.1850 amid quiet markets in the European hours on Monday. The US Dollar is struggling for direction due to thin liquidity conditions as US markets are closed in observance of Presidents' Day.
GBP/USD flat lines as traders await key UK and US macro data
GBP/USD kicks off a new week on a subdued note and oscillates in a narrow range near 1.365 in Monday's European trading. The mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for aggressive traders as the market focus now shifts to this week's important releases from the UK and the US.
USD/JPY extends Japan's weak Q4 GDP-inspired recovery to 153.25 area
The USD/JPY pair once again shows some resilience below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average on Monday and rebounds from the vicinity of the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of the April 2025 to January 2026 strong move up. The disappointing release of Japan's Q4 GDP print, along with a positive risk tone, undermines the safe-haven Japanese Yen.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD treads water above 1.1850 amid thin trading
EUR/USD stays defensive but holds 1.1850 amid quiet markets in the European hours on Monday. The US Dollar is struggling for direction due to thin liquidity conditions as US markets are closed in observance of Presidents' Day.
GBP/USD flat lines as traders await key UK and US macro data
GBP/USD kicks off a new week on a subdued note and oscillates in a narrow range near 1.365 in Monday's European trading. The mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for aggressive traders as the market focus now shifts to this week's important releases from the UK and the US.
Gold slides below $5,000 amid USD uptick and positive risk tone; downside seems limited
Gold attracts fresh sellers at the start of a new week and reverses a part of Friday's strong move up of over $150 from sub-$4,900 levels. The commodity slides back below the $5,000 psychological mark during the Asian session, though the downside potential seems limited amid a combination of supporting factors.
Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple consolidate within key ranges as selling pressure eases
Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have been trading sideways within key ranges following the massive correction. Meanwhile, XRP recovers slightly, breaking above the key resistance zone. The top three cryptocurrencies hint at a potential short-term recovery, with momentum indicators showing fading bearish signs.
Global inflation watch: Signs of cooling services inflation
Realized inflation landed close to expectations in January, as negative base effects weighed on the annual rates. Remaining sticky inflation is largely explained by services, while tariff-driven goods inflation remains limited even in the US.
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