The counter currency is a reference in a currency exchange quote. Quotes are given in a base/counter format, indicating how many units of the counter currency are needed to buy a unit of the base currency. This format is universally accepted and used to make it easier for people to engage in currency trading, as well as speculation on exchange rates. A number of currencies are very commonly used as counter currencies, including United States dollars (USD), euros (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY), and Canadian dollars (CAD).
The currency pair, consisting of the base and counter listed together, is followed by a number to provide information about the exchange rate. In a quote like CAD/USD 1.2, the quote means that it takes 1.2 United States dollars to buy a single Canadian dollar. Currency traders can see the most current quotes in the form of currency pairs and when they engage in speculation, they can offer other pairs, like CAD/USD 1.3, speculating that it will take more US Dollars to buy Canadian dollars at a set point in the future.
People may refer to the counter currency as the quote currency, depending on regional preferences. People involved in currency exchange and speculation are familiar with a broad range of currencies, and they know their histories, so they can be prepared to act on changes in the exchange rate and developments in the financial market. Websites provide information about recent exchange rate movements, provided in a base and counter currency format, so people can quickly reference them to see if a trend is good, bad, or neutral.
Currency speculators rely on a great deal of information in their work, including base and counter currency pairs and their history, political news, and policy shifts. They may engage in a variety of trades with different base and counter currencies to work the market most effectively, taking advantage of shifting exchange rates and trying to stay ahead of predicted changes. If people know the value of the British pound is going to rise, for example, they can make investment decisions to position themselves to take advantage of this.
The advent of global markets has significantly increased the rate of currency speculation. Many markets offer opportunities to trade currency directly, as well as trading in futures and derivatives, for people who are interested. Getting familiar with the terminology associated with currency exchanges is important for people interested in this area of the financial market. Numerous trade publications are available to provide more information about theory and practice, helping investors avoid common pitfalls.