Forex Product Highlights

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Forex

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IB offer FX traders direct access to interbank prices for both large FX orders with a 25,000 USD (or equivalent)
minimum, and smaller orders under 25,000 USD. FX routing provides best-execution functionality and a transparent pricing
structure. We offer trading in 13 currencies including USD, EUR, CHF, GBP, SEK, NOK, JPY, AUD, NZD, HKD, CAD, MXN, and KRW (with special conversion functionality), with displayed spreads as small as 1/2 PIP and actual spreads even lower. The tight spreads and substantial liquidity are a result of combining quotation streams from 13 of the world's largest foreign exchange dealers which constitute more than two-thirds¹ of the market share in the global interbank market.

Direct Access to Interbank Quotes
No hidden price spreading, no markup, no kickbacks. Just the combination of real time prices from 13 of the world's largest FX dealing banks plus a transparent, low commission that avoids the conflict of interest of FX platforms which deal for their own account.
ECN-Like Market Structure
Our order book allows you to set orders away from or between the markets, and trade with other IB clients as well as with the liquidity-providing banks.
Multi-Instrument Display
Trade forex cash (spot) side by side on the same system, even the same window, with forex futures, fx options, and other asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and futures

Automatic Overnight Position Rolls
Automatic overnight position rolls (tom/next swaps) for large positions. There is no commission or other charge for this service. As with our spot dealing, roll prices are direct best quotes from our interbank partners.
Safe and Secure
Interactive Brokers Group and its sister affiliates hold over USD $4.6 billion in equity capital.
Large Order Routing Protection
Orders submitted for more than the minimum size of 25,000 USD will automatically be routed to IDEALPRO to ensure a better fill on the more liquid large order book.

TWS FX Dual Presentation

In TWS, IB presents currency/FX position data in two different areas of the account window. We separate out your actual currency values, which may result from FX trades, conversions, or trading products in another currency, from your direct FX pair trading activity.

Market Value - Real FX Balances

Your account’s actual currency balances are shown in the Market Value – Real FX Balances section of the account window.

FX Portfolio - Virtual FX Position

The FX Portfolio section displays your FX trading activity in currency pairs, and may also reflect “indirect” FX currency conversions designed to close out a non-base currency balance. This view is helpful for FX Traders and allows tracking of a running P&L and average cost, but DOES NOT reflect your actual cash balance in any currency. To manage actual currency positions, refer to the Market Value - Real FX Balances section of the account window.

Automated FX Transaction Decision

Beginning with version 910, when you submit an FX order, TWS will attempt to identify whether you want an FX pair trade or a currency conversion, based on your positions and balances, and will ask you how you want the currency trade to be considered. If you elect “Currency Conversion,” TWS will create the order to reflect this objective. You submit the order manually, and when the order fills your virtual position in the FX Portfolio section will not be affected. Previously, conversions would affect the virtual position and your only option was to manually adjust the position and cost to negate the completed conversion.

If you prefer to let TWS make this determination without displaying the confirmation box, check Let TWS make this determination automatically in the future at the bottom of the confirmation box. When you activate this feature, FX trades will display FXCONV as the Destination. You can change the destination on a per-order basis by selecting IDEALPRO. To enable the message again, activate it from the Messages section of Global Configuration.

Additional Resources

Additional Information

Winner - 6 Years in a Row

2006 - 2011
Best Forex Brokerage²

† Link names are the navigation sequence through the IB web site menu bar located at the top of every IB web page.

Any currency or futures symbols displayed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to portray a recommendation.

There is a substantial risk of loss in trading futures and options. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

There is a substantial risk of loss in foreign exchange trading. The settlement date of foreign exchange trades can vary due to time zone differences and bank holidays. When trading across foreign exchange markets, this may necessitate borrowing funds to settle foreign exchange trades. The interest charges on borrowed funds must be considered when computing the cost of trades across multiple markets.

[1] Source: Euromoney FX survey FX Poll 2009: The Euromoney FX survey is the largest global poll of foreign exchange service providers.

[2] Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities logo and award are trademarks of Technical Analysis, Inc.