FXCM Review

Extensive Review

FXCM (Forex Capital Markets) is a brand name of a retail broker for trading on the financial market, especially the foreign exchange market. The broker was founded in 1999 and was originally headquartered in the United States. After a series of lawsuits from customers and case settlements by the US regulator (CFTC), FXCM moved from the US and became a UK-based broker, authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 217689).

Trading with FXCM is supported by enhanced execution with the Liquidity providers' stream pricing through the FastMatch Electronic Communication Network.

FXCM works with several global banks, financial institutions, and other market makers as their Liquidity providers including Barclays Bank, Citadel Securities, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, FASTMATCH, XTX Markets Limited, UBS, Morgan Stanley, Commerzbank, and Jefferies Financial Services.

This, in turn, enables FXCM to present its clients with fast trade execution, competitive spreads, low negative slippage, no re-quotes, no stop/limit restrictions, and up to 89% of orders are executed at the requested price or better.

For the trading platform, FXCM is remarkably known for its proprietary product called Trading Station. The latest version of this platform's web display is claimed to be built in Mac Friendly HTML5. It features a range of trading appliances such as integrated news, economic calendar, FXCM's top trading tools, social trading functionalities through FXCM Cloud, customized trading analytics, automated strategies, and advanced charting for better analysis. For flexible traders who prefer trading on-the-go, FXCM has also provided Trading Station in mobile version, both for iOS and Android users.

However, the company's in-house platform is not the only option presented for clients. FXCM also gives the choice to use MetaTrader 4 for clients who are more familiar with MetaQuote's product. Also, ZuluTrade access is enabled for clients with keen interests in copy trading schemes that transcend across brokers.

Instead of classifying account types based on minimum deposits, FXCM chooses to offer trading accounts based on the instruments traded. For FX traders, this broker provides Active Trader and Institutional accounts.

Active Trader is the ultimate account type for retail traders with two-tier pricing. Tier 1 applies a minimum deposit of $25,000 with a $30 commission for 1 million volumes traded, while Tier 2 has no detail on deposit requirement but gives better fee conditions. Spreads in both tiers start from 0.2 pips.

Institutional account, also known as FXCM Pro, is marketed as a wholesale execution and liquidity solution for retail brokers, hedge funds, and emerging market banks. The account presents trading spreads from 0.1 pips and other competitive benefits like API solutions as well as prime brokerage services.

For non-FX traders, FXCM provides a CFD trading account with low spread costs from 0.37 pips (in XAU/USD) and a wide range of class assets from precious metals, soft commodities, and indices.

Last but not least, a collection of in-depth articles is provided to help traders' knowledge and insights on the forex market. Trading tools like FXCM Plus, Market Scanner, Trading Signals, and Technical Levels are also developed to support traders who open accounts in FXCM .

In conclusion, FXCM is an experienced retail broker with a lot of "ammunition" to help traders with its best version of execution, pricing, and tools. It is a well-regulated broker backed with a long history in the financial market, even though it has a dark history in the United States' brokerage industry.

Still, the relatively high standard on minimum deposit ($25,000) puts FXCM as a broker suitable for experienced traders with good money management. It is not recommended for new traders with limited capital.