Pipsology

Yaser Rahmati | یاسر رحمتی

Pipsology is a term often used in the context of forex (foreign exchange) trading, referring to the study and understanding of pips, which are the basic unit of measurement for price movements in forex markets. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what pipsology entails:

What is a Pip?

1. Definition:

• A pip (Percentage in Point) is typically the smallest price move that a given exchange rate can make based on market convention. For most currency pairs, a pip is equal to 0.0001 of the quoted price.

2. Significance:

• Pips are used to measure price movements and to calculate potential profits and losses. They are essential for determining spreads (the difference between bid and ask prices) and for evaluating trade performance.

How to Calculate Pips

1. Currency Pairs:

• For most major currency pairs (like EUR/USD, GBP/USD), one pip equals 0.0001.

• For currency pairs involving the Japanese yen (like USD/JPY), one pip equals 0.01 due to the yen’s lower value compared to other major currencies.

2. Example:

• If EUR/USD moves from 1.1050 to 1.1051, it has moved 1 pip.

• If USD/JPY moves from 110.00 to 110.01, it has moved 1 pip.

Pips and Lot Sizes

1. Standard Lot:

• A standard lot in forex trading is 100,000 units of the base currency. For a standard lot, each pip movement typically equals $10.

2. Mini Lot:

• A mini lot is 10,000 units of the base currency. For a mini lot, each pip movement typically equals $1.

3. Micro Lot:

• A micro lot is 1,000 units of the base currency. For a micro lot, each pip movement typically equals $0.10.

Pips and Spreads

1. Spread:

• The spread is the difference between the bid price (selling price) and the ask price (buying price) of a currency pair. It is measured in pips. A lower spread indicates lower transaction costs for the trader.

2. Example:

• If the EUR/USD bid price is 1.1050 and the ask price is 1.1052, the spread is 2 pips.

Pips in Trading Strategies

1. Scalping:

• This strategy involves making numerous trades throughout the day for small profits, often just a few pips per trade.

2. Day Trading:

• Day traders aim to capitalize on intraday price movements, often targeting gains of 20-40 pips per trade.

3. Swing Trading:

• Swing traders hold positions for several days to weeks, aiming to profit from larger price movements typically ranging from 100-300 pips.