Trading platform software for real time trading
With the development of the internet, investment activities have not been ignored and have moved to an online format. Many have opened up the possibility of trading on platforms in real-time. A trading platform is a prerequisite to start trading. A trading platform (trading terminal) is a set of software and technical tools adapted for internet trading, ensuring interaction between the trader and the broker.
A trading platform software is software installed on a trader's computer and is used by the trader for online trading. Some platforms are web-based and do not require installation on a computer. But most trading platforms need to be installed on the device from which the trading process will occur. There are also mobile versions that work on smartphones, tablets and other portable devices.
The broker provides the trading platform free of charge when you open an account, regardless of whether it is a training or trading account.
![Trading platform software for real time trading in Pakistan Trading platform software for real time trading in Pakistan](/content/img/devices-with-iq-platform.jpg)
Trading platforms essential purposes
The trading platform performs several essential functions:
- The real time trading platform displays the market situation, i.e. provides real-time information on quotes. This information is systematised and grouped for display as charts. You can select a time frame for which the information will be grouped. This periodicity is called a timeframe. For example, if you choose a time frame of 30 minutes, this means that one Japanese candle or one bar (depending on the chart type selected) will correspond to a time frame of 30 minutes.
- The trading platform allows you to make trades by placing market and pending orders, manage positions and monitor your trading account at any convenient time.
- The real time trading platform usually has tools for technical analysis, thanks to built-in indicators. In addition, according to a pre-written algorithm, it provides the ability to enter into transactions in automatic mode (using expert advisors that make trades without the trader's participation).
- The trading platform has several tools whose main task is to facilitate the trading process. These tools include a real-time news feed from the major news agencies, sound alerts indicating the vital system and trade events, saving the trading history, generating the reports on transactions and much more.
Which trading platform is better?
There is an opinion that tastes differ as many people have different views. Yet, when choosing a platform for trading on the market, it is crucial to consider several objective parameters:
- Functionality. It means quantitative characteristics, i.e. how many analytical tools (charts, technical indicators, timeframes, etc.) the platform displays. For example, it is possible to open several windows with quotes simultaneously, set up automatic trading, enter your indicator, what types of orders to execute, etc.
- Performance. The delay in a graphical representation of quotes affects the quality and quantity of performed deals. Therefore, you should choose a trading platform that does not slow down or rare such bugs (especially for Day Traders).
- Security. Confidentiality is a valuable parameter in all areas that involve money. A trading platform and the brokerage company should cause the trader's confidence in the safety of performed deals.
- A user-friendly interface. The more straightforward and more understandable, the better - this is the principle you can rely on when choosing a trading platform. It also includes the possibility of individual customisation for a trader to trade on the exchange.
- Mobility. The parameter includes two critical conditions: the possibility of installation to a mobile device and compatibility with leading operating systems. For example, when a trading platform requires buying a tablet or smartphone, choosing a trading terminal is the wrong direction.
Each trading platform has its pros and cons. To understand which platform is more convenient for a trader, a trader should work with different ones and make an informed decision. The choice of the terminal is a personal matter for every trader and largely depends on the user-friendliness and trading experience.
![Explore the mobile app menu Explore the mobile app menu](/content/img/settings-en.jpg)
What is commonly traded on the real time trading platform?
Trading on a stock exchange is one way of actively investing. When you don't just buy a block of shares and wait for regular profits, but make money from the fluctuations in exchange rates.
Traditionally on the platform traded:
- Stocks
Shares are securities that provide the owner with a share in the capital of a company. When you buy shares, you are purchasing a part of the company. Shares are one of the leading investment instruments on the stock market and provide you with the opportunity to earn extra income.
The main parameters of stocks are liquidity and profitability. Liquidity is the ability to buy or sell stock quickly at a price close to the market price. It is the most critical indicator of a share. The profitability of a stock is the growth in its price plus dividends.
- Stock market indices
There are hundreds of thousands of companies listed on stock exchanges around the world. It is impossible to track the price movements of all of them. To understand the prevailing market sentiment, financiers have come up with stock indexes. They show how much a particular group of securities has changed on average.
Investors use stock indices to estimate the situation on the trading floors and predict the results of future trading. They are calculated for different countries, sectors or a specific group of securities - stocks, bonds and other assets.
- ETFS
An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is a set of assets that can be bought and sold on an exchange. The most common investments in ETFs are stocks or bonds. There are also funds for commodities such as oil, coffee and gold.
- Futures
A futures contract is a contract in which the seller undertakes to deliver an underlying asset to the buyer at an agreed-upon price and date.
Two properties of the futures contract follow from this definition:
- It has an underlying asset, and it is its derivative as in middle school algebra, the section on functions and their derivatives. The underlying asset for futures can be anything: a stock, a commodity, a currency pair, an exchange index or even the weather.
- It has an expiration date.
- Cryptocurrencies
There are many cryptocurrencies available on the market today. However, the two most dominant coins are Bitcoin and Etherium. Most cryptocurrencies are driven by Blockchain technology, and each has different levels of volatility.
A cryptocurrency trading platform allows an investor to participate in cryptocurrency trading. You can buy and sell these cryptocurrencies by opening an account and making transactions. When you know which cryptocurrency you want to trade, you feed the information to the trading platform, making a deal with it much more manageable.
An investor can approach cryptocurrency trading in two ways. The first is to buy the digital currency in its original form. Since cryptocurrency is fully digital, you will keep it in your cryptocurrency wallet. The other option is to trade using CFDs, which allows you to open a long or short position on the cryptocurrency of your choice without going into possession.
- Precious metals
Traders regard precious metals as "safe" assets. And they are increasingly being traded as economic events and political unrest cause increased volatility in other markets.
Buying and selling precious metals does not require the actual purchase of a physical asset. Instead, you speculate on price movements, just as you do with other financial derivatives.
It is worth bearing in mind that the factors affecting the price of precious metals are inversely related to those involving other types of financial instruments. For example, while stocks may fall in price after political unrest or war, at such moments, the precious metals market, on the contrary, has an influx of capital. Consequently, prices go up.
As a rule, the price of precious metals is influenced by supply and demand. And also local and global events, inflation, the strength of the US dollar, interest rates, government policies, technology, and much more.
Trading at the exchange can be lucrative. If you learn it as a profession, exercise discipline, keep your emotions in check and test everything beforehand. Be careful with your finances and consider the risks.
![Popular financial markets. Choose your strategy Popular financial markets. Choose your strategy](/content/img/most-popular-investment-options-hk.png)
How to start trading online in Pakistan?
The variety of real-time trading platforms makes the novice trader choose a trading platform for regular use. However, it is advisable to be guided by the essential criteria that a quality software for making money in the financial markets should meet to choose a platform.
These criteria are:
- Functionality
- Performance
- Security
- A user-friendly interface
- Mobility
How to register?
After choosing and installing the trading platform software, traders should register by providing personal and banking information to identify themselves. The registration process only takes a few minutes.
![Registrating on the investing platform Registrating on the investing platform](/content/img/registration-on-the-platform-eng.png)
How to open a demo account?
Investing always involves risk. If you want to reduce the chances of loss, platforms provide traders with the opportunity to open a demo account. A demo account is a training simulator with virtual money for working with the trading terminal on the stock, currency and futures markets. A demo account is practically the same as a trading account; the only difference is that all profits and losses on a demo account are virtual. This way, you can hone your skills and gain experience.
![How to open demo account How to open demo account](/content/img/demo-hk.png)
How to open a real account?
If you feel it is time for action, you can open a real account. To do this, you make a minimum deposit into your account.
Always learn, read, develop your skills, update your knowledge, and success will surely come to you!
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