A forex robot is software that generates trading signals and then automatically places real-time buy and sell orders in your brokerage account. There are many different ones from which to choose, as a search of “forex robot” on the web will quickly reveal. Some robots could be programmed by a trader; others come preconfigured and can only be updated by the robot vendor. Research the offers carefully to ensure you purchase a robot with the features you want for your style of trading.
Speed
All forex robots are built to trade in real time. To take action, they should instantaneously recognize price changes for all monitored currencies, evaluate whether to issue an order and, if appropriate, make an order with your broker. Humans just can’t operate at the speed of a robot, and this makes human traders vulnerable to price “slippage” – price changes occurring in the interim between signal generation and order execution. The problem escalates with the number of currencies traded. A good forex robot can real-time trade in a half-dozen currency pairs simultaneously, an impossible task for a trader.
Stealth
If you invest with a dealing desk broker – market makers who trade against their customers – you do not want to “tip your hand” in advance of your trades. This means you don’t want to place limit or stop orders, because these tell your broker exactly how to manipulate prices to defeat your trading strategy. A limit order tells the broker at what price you will enter a position. A stop order specifies when a winning or losing position will be closed – through take-profit and stop-loss orders respectively. A forex robot can operate in “stealth mode”: it enters orders automatically in real time as prices reach your entry or exit points. Your broker will have no advanced knowledge of your upcoming trades and is thus denied a decisive advantage in the zero-sum battle for forex profits.
Discipline
Unlike humans, forex trading robots are neutral; they do not experience greed or fear. This is a decided advantage because humans can do a lot of damage to their bank accounts by trading emotionally. After experiencing a loss, some traders become gun-shy; others become gung-ho. But the best solution is to only maintain your composure and stick to your trading strategy. There are traders who can successfully manage their emotions in stressful trading situations. If you’re not one of them, a robot provides the discipline you lack.
