When approaching the forex market, traders must use reliable platforms that provide the capability, flexibility, and analytical power needed to develop individual forex strategies. One of the best-known platforms in the market is the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) solution, and Mac users can download a version of this platform that is optimised for Apple’s hardware and operating system.

Read on to discover more about Metatrader 4 for Mac, including a rundown of some of the platform’s advantages. We’ll also look at how to download and install MT4 on Mac with your VT Markets account.

Why traders choose MetaTrader 4

Why choose MetaTrader 4 for your Mac? Traders choose MT4 as their ideal forex platform for many different reasons. MT4 is a good choice for traders across all backgrounds and styles, from short-term day traders to those opening longer-term positions.

A flexible array of options

There are many different traders out there, each with their own market objectives and trading styles. This means the best trading platforms must reflect this, offering their users a diverse array of options. MetaTrader 4 is a great choice in this department, allowing individuals to build a strategy that suits their needs.

Whether you want to open swing positions over multiple days or execute trades on a short-term basis, MetaTrader 4 can support this. Unlike other platforms on the market, there are no restrictions and limitations on the trades you can make via MT4 on your Mac device. If your strategy involves scalping — i.e., executing a large number of ultra-short-term trades with an extremely high frequency — you will be able to do this too. These trades have very tight margins, which means stop loss and take profit tools will be placed with great precision. When you use MT4 to execute trades, precise placement is straightforward.

Narrow spreads with VT Markets

Here at VT Markets, we want to give our users the best possible experience when they use MetaTrader4’s Mac platform. To achieve this, we offer narrow spreads to traders when they open positions on MT4. These spreads can be as tight as 0 pips in some cases.

The spread is the difference between a forex pair’s buying and selling price. This is critical for traders, as it represents the price you will have to pay to open your position. So, the narrower the spread, the better the deal for you when you trade. We monitor these spreads closely and always endeavour to offer industry-leading service to our users.

Real-time trading insights and execution

The forex market moves rapidly, so your chosen trading platform needs to be up to the task. You have to be able to analyse the market in real-time, assessing the latest movements, predicting upcoming shifts, and deciding on the best course of action for your strategy. MetaTrader 4 supports this, utilising your Mac device’s and the platform’s swift capabilities.

Of course, this is only possible when the platform is backed up with reliable servers. At VT Markets, we use trading servers situated right in the heart of the trading action in the financial centres of London and New York. This helps VT Markets users leverage the latest trading insights and execute actions without latency. 

To link up with these services, we deploy fibre-optic connectivity solutions from our partners at Equinix, creating a network that users can rely on even when trading volumes begin to rise at key points throughout the day. Incorporating the Metatrader 4 download on Mac and VT Markets servers into your strategy results in a slick and highly responsive experience when you trade.

This is important to traders of all styles, but it’s vital for anyone adopting a short-term day trading or a scalping strategy. If you use this lightning-quick approach, the smallest pip movements over just a few minutes — or even just a few seconds — can make or break the trade. Waiting for the market dashboard to update or working with out-of-date forex data is unacceptable. Instead, you need to leverage the real-time trading advantages MetaTrader 4 provides.

Learning key trading techniques in a risk-free environment

If you are using the MetaTrader 4 platform to learn forex trading techniques, downloading the MT4 demo account to your Mac is a perfect choice. With this demo version of the platform, you will still have access to all of the tools, indicators, features and capabilities of the full trading platform, giving yourself a chance to learn the ropes of how forex trading works and how to get the best from the solution. There’s just one difference — it’s totally risk-free.

On the demo account, you will not need to put forward any of your own capital to trade with. You will not have to add any funding methods to your account or keep your account topped up during use. Essentially, you are going through the motions of trading, exploring the market and platform with no potential for profit but with no risk. 

Once you are more comfortable with trading via MT4 on your Mac, you can start using a live account and begin making trades and opening positions for real. Bear in mind that there are no guarantees in trading, and there is always a potential risk when opening live positions.

Advanced technical analysis and automation

More advanced traders need to be able to draw upon a wealth of different market indicators and technical analysis features. While these features don’t offer any certainties, they are useful for traders as they seek to build a careful, considered, data-driven forex strategy. Choose from various indicators — such as Relative Strength Index (RSI), Bollinger Bands, and Moving Averages (MA) — as you gain more insight into market movements.

Traders can also utilise features like MT4 Expert Advisors to automate some aspects of their strategy. Again, this does not guarantee a profit, but it may make it easier for traders to remain within their pre-defined strategy.

Reliable security and stability 

Large amounts of money change hands on the foreign exchange market every trading day. With such a high volume of transactions, security is paramount. Traders need to know that the platform they choose offers robust security they can rely on. MetaTrader 4 utilises 129-bit key encryption and trader IP masking so that you can confidently use the platform. MT4’s security is enhanced further by the Mac device and OS — Apple has made safety and security key to its brand and product identity.

Stability is also crucial. As a trader, you need to know that your chosen platform is there for you when you need it. Again, the pairing of MetaTrader 4 software and Apple’s Mac devices ensures this.

Installing Meta Trader 4 for Mac

How do you install the Mac version of MetaTrader 4? To begin, you’ll need to sign up for an account with VT Markets.

• Anywhere on the VT Markets website, scroll up to the top banner and select Open Live Account.

• Select account type. If you are an individual trader, select an individual account type.

• Enter your identifying information.

• Open your email and confirm your VT Markets account.

• Follow the simple steps to complete the setup. This should take you at most five minutes to complete!

With your account now set up, you’ll need to download MetaTrader 4 for your Mac device.

• Log in to your account on the VT Markets website. 

• Head to the MetaTrader 4 page on the site and select the Download on Mac option.

• Save the MT4 file in your Applications folder.

• Open the Applications folder and select the MT4 program file you downloaded.

• Follow the step-by-step installation wizard to install MT4 on your Mac, then hit Finish.

• Use your VT Markets credentials to set up your MetaTrader 4 account.

Trade with MT4 on your Mac

Whether you are just starting out with forex trading or already have considerable experience, VT Markets can help you take those all-important next steps on your journey. 

We provide several platforms and tools to help you build your strategy, including the Acme MetaTrader 4 platform on the Mac. Set up a demo account to grow your understanding of the platform in a risk-free environment, and then begin making trades for real with a live account. Interested in learning more about trading with VT Markets and MT4? Reach out to our team today. 

Dear Client,

Due to high market volatility, VT Markets will adjust the leverage of US CFD Shares starting 16 January 2023:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

Please note that other contract specifications will remain the same.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

The US CPI has been slowing down over the past few months. However, it’s likely that this trend will continue into December as well.

Here are market events to look out for this week:

Australia Consumer Price Index (11 January)

The October Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Australia fell below September’s record high of 7.3%.

Analysts expect November’s CPI reading to rebound higher to 7.5%.

US Consumer Price Index M/M (12 January)

The Consumer Price Index in the US rose 0.1% from November 2022, slowing from the 0.4% increase in October. This indicates that annual inflation in the US slowed for a fifth straight month to 7.1% in November 2022, its lowest point since December 2021.

Analysts expect that US CPI might continue to slow down and will be released at -0.1% in December 2022, which means that inflation is slowed more to 6.9%.

UK Gross Domestic Product M/M (13 January)

The economy in the UK grew 0.5% in October from September 2022, the most significant increase in nearly a year.

Analysts predict November’s GDP to be unchanged at 0.0%.

Prelim University of Michigan (UoM) Consumer Sentiment (13 January)

In December 2022, the University of Michigan revised its consumer sentiment index for the US upward to 59.7 in December 2022 from 59.1 in the previous month.

Analysts expect this month’s UoM Consumer sentiment index to be higher at 60.

Dear Client,

Please note that the following instruments’ trading hours will be affected by the upcoming holidays.

Note: The dash sign (-) indicates normal trading hours.

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

Dear Client,

Please note that when constituent stocks of a market index generate dividends, VT Markets will make dividends and deductions for clients who hold the products after the close of the day before the ex-dividend date.

The dividends will not be paid/charged as an inclusion along with Swap. It will be executed separately in your account and the record will be annotated as “Div & Product Name & Net Volume”.

Please note the specific adjustments as follows:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

If you want to trade on the forex market, you need a platform you can trust — this is where you will find all the tools and features you need to analyse market movements and open and close positions on forex pairs. Many platforms are available, but VT Markets seeks to help our users narrow their choices and connect with some of the most intuitively designed and powerful tools available.

We offer MetaTrader 4 here on the VT Markets site. Once you have set up your VT Markets account, you’ll be able to download the MT4 platform and get started immediately. From here, you can begin to grow your experience and make trades either on the demo or the live version of the platform. We recommend using the demo MT4 account first to build your confidence and understanding before you start to make trades for real.

So what are the first steps? To begin, you’ll need to choose which version of MetaTrader 4 to download. This will depend upon what device you are using. Take a look at our guide below to find out more about how to download the platform.

Downloading MetaTrader 4 — A straightforward guide to help you get started

You can download and use MT4 across various devices and operating systems, providing traders with a more flexible and capable set of options. These include most desktop devices and operating systems and mobile and tablet devices.

Downloading the MT4 platform for desktop and laptop

Desktop and laptop devices tend to be more powerful than your smartphone or tablet, offering more storage capability and scoring higher on other key metrics. The extra capacity and power of the device enable you to get the most out of the software, as this was the operating environment it was originally designed for. Many users prefer to download MT4 on a PC or laptop device.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Microsoft Windows — Most laptop and desktop devices still use the Microsoft Windows operating system, and MT4 is designed for use on this OS.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Apple Mac OS — Many users prefer Apple’s Mac OS, and all Macs and computers developed by Apple will run this OS. You can download MT4 to your Mac if required.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Linux — Linux is not as widely used as Windows and Mac OS. Still, developers have used the open-source system to create many operating systems, many of which have become popular. The Linux OS does support the MetaTrader 4 platform.

Downloading the MT4 platform for smartphones and tablets

While MT4 was initially developed with the power and function of desktop devices in mind, it is now available in smartphone and tablet versions. These versions help traders enjoy a far more convenient experience, with market data and trading tools right in the palm of their hand, even when they are out and about.

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Apple iOS Devices — Like with the Mac OS, many users are experts in using Apple products and prefer to utilise Apple OS versions of software and apps. To support this, MT4 is available for download on Apple’s iPhone and iPad products. While the tablet version provides more detailed views, traders can still utilise all the required features on the mobile version. 

• Download MetaTrader 4 for Android Devices — Android devices are becoming increasingly popular among smartphone and mobile users, and various Android operating systems power various products in the market. If you have one of these devices, you’ll be able to have MT4 downloaded on your Android smartphone or tablet.

Your guide to a successful MetaTrader 4 download

It’s easy to download the MT4 platform you need when you use VT Markets. With a handy wizard feature, downloading and setup is largely automated. Follow these handy steps to complete your installation.

• Step One — Create your VT Markets account here on the website. Add your personal information, confirm your identification, and then add funds to your account.

• Step Two — Log into your VT Markets account and head to the top banner menu on any page on the VT Markets site. Select MetaTrader 4 in the drop-down menu and open this page. From here, select the link to begin to download for the operating system and device you are using.

• Step Three — Open the .exe file and follow the wizard to complete the laptop and desktop devices setup. Move through the different screens of the wizard, select a download file folder and configure your options. The platform will be saved in your default download file if you don’t do this. Select Finish once you reach the end of the wizard. If you are using a mobile or tablet device, it will be saved to your app folder, and the installation will take place automatically.

• Step Four — Log into the MT4 platform and use the features. You can grow your experience over time, utilising features such as MT4 indicators to execute more advanced trading and predictive functions.

Understanding the different MT4 trading accounts

You will want to take some time to develop your experience and gain confidence using the platform. While there are never any guarantees with forex trading — and even more experienced traders can find that their positions are not always successful — learning how to trade forex carefully will help you make future strategic decisions. With this in mind, we offer two versions of the MT4 platform for download. Learn more about these below.

Downloading and using the demo version of MT4

The demo version of MT4 is the same as the full version. You’ll still be able to take advantage of all of the different features and tools built into the platform, and you’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills and experience in a meaningful way. The only major difference is that there is no real money changing hands. As this is just a demo account, you won’t be executing trades for real. Of course, this means there’s no potential for profit, but there’s no risk either.

We highly recommend you use the demo account for a while when you first download MetaTrader 4. Even if you already have some experience with trading forex, you’ll need time to learn how to use MT4 and to grow acquainted with the specific features of the platform. The risk-free environment of the demo account is perfect for achieving this. 

Downloading and using the live version of MT4

When you download the live version of MetaTrader 4, you gain access to all of the platform’s features, from indicators and other predictive tools to those used in active trading. In this sense, it’s almost the same as the demo version, only this version of MT4 supports live trades.

This means you can make money when you open and close positions on the live version of the platform, but there’s also the potential to lose money. Bear this risk in mind, and trade conservatively. If you decide to maximise your exposure in the market with margin trading or leverage trading on forex pairs, you will increase the risk level. 

The margin in FX refers to the amount of money you will need to put forward to control a position. Trading on the margin means you are essentially borrowing capital from the broker, which will need to be paid back. Leverage works similarly, maximising the stake you control and involves borrowing capital directly from the broker.

Only adopt these forms of trading if you are confident with using the MetaTrader 4 version you downloaded and after you have spent time learning forex and practising on the demo version of the platform.

Download MT4 and start growing your trading experience

We want to ensure that our users have access to all the tools and platforms they need to develop their experience as they trade forex. This is why we provide a roster of industry-leading software pieces designed to help traders open and close positions according to their unique strategies. 

There are always risks involved with this kind of trading, which is why it’s a good idea to practise using the features of MT4 after you download it. To do this, simply use the demo account, and enjoy all the features in a risk-free environment. When you feel ready, you can graduate to the live trading account and open positions for real. Want to learn more about our platform? Reach out to our team today.

What are the best forex pairs to trade? If only this question had a straightforward answer — it would make learning how to trade forex and speculating on currency movements far more reliable. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and deciding on the best currency pairs to trade is always a personal choice and depends exclusively on your own trading strategy.
However, examining the most traded currency pairs in the market can be helpful. This gives you some idea of the most liquid options when trading currency pairs and provides you with a wealth of data you can use to develop your future strategies.

EUR/USD — European Euro and United States Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair is the most traded in the market regarding volume and trading frequency. In forex trading, this high volume builds momentum, making the most frequently traded pairs very popular among currency speculators. This is because of the high liquidity of frequently traded pairs, which helps keep spreads tight. 

Traders must remain aware of actions from the European Central Bank and the United States Federal Reserve. These financial institutions set the interest rates that dictate the relative values of the currencies. If one institution increases interest rates relative to the other, that institution’s currency may grow in value — this will dictate whether the trader needs to open a long or short position.

USD/JPY — United States Dollar and Japanese Yen

The USD/JPY pair puts the United States Dollar in the base position and uses the Japanese Yen as the quote currency. This pair is sometimes referred to as the gopher, another highly liquid option for traders. The liquidity is supported by the proliferation of trading on the Japanese Yen in the Asian market — a huge portion of the global forex trading landscape. 

Again, the Federal Reserve sets interest rates on the USD, but the Bank of Japan dictates Japanese domestic rates. Traders will need to be aware of changes in these rates as they decide on their strategy for the USD/JPY.

GBP/USD — British Pound and United States Dollar

With the British Pound as the base currency and the United States Dollar as the quote currency, the GBP/USD pair is sometimes referred to as “cable” among forex traders. This is because of the long history of trading across the pair, and it refers directly to the wire cables that used to be utilised to execute transatlantic trades.

Traders must remain aware of the actions of the Federal Reserve in the United States and the Bank of England in London. Both of these factors will impact the performance of the GBP relative to the quoted USD value.

AUD/USD — Australian Dollar and United States Dollar

Traders may call the AUD/USD pair “the Aussie” simply because the Australian Dollar is in the base position, while the United States Dollar is the quote currency. While many other pairs use the Australian Dollar as the base currency, the AUD/USD is the most frequently traded and liquid, so this one receives the colloquial nickname.

The Reserve Bank of Australia determines the country’s official cash rate, so traders need to be aware of this in relation to the current Federal Reserve interest rate. The Australian Dollar also depends on the performance of the natural resources that bolster the country’s economy.

USD/CAD — United States Dollar and Canadian Dollar

The USD/CAD is another pair on this list, with the United States Dollar in the base position while the neighbouring Canadian Dollar takes the quote position. This pair may also be called “the loonie”, a nickname for the physical Canadian Dollar coin. 

In addition to the interest rates across the two nations, traders will need to be aware of the price of oil on the global market. This is an important influence on the Canadian economy and will affect the currency’s value relative to the United States Dollar south of the border.

USD/CNY — United States Dollar and Chinese Yuan

This currency pair puts the United States Dollar and the Chinese Yuan in the base and quote positions, respectively. As the two biggest economies in the world, the United States and the People’s Republic of China have a huge influence on the forex market, and this pair has grown to become one of the most frequently traded in the world.

The Chinese central government exerts control over the country’s economy and the value of its currency. It has intentionally allowed the value of the Yuan — sometimes referred to as the Renminbi — to depreciate relative to other global currencies. This makes the USD/CNY a unique pairing on this list, and the potential volatility of the pair has been compounded in recent years by the unfolding trade war and political tensions between the two countries.

USD/CHF — United States Dollar and Swiss Franc

When forex platform users are trading currency pairs, they may notice “the Swissie” — this is another name for the United States Dollar and Swiss Franc currency pair, or the USD/CHF.

The Swiss Franc is often considered a stable currency, so traders may be tempted to invest in the CHF during periods of uncertainty in the broader market. If the market is generally stable, traders are less likely to turn to the Swiss Franc. Despite this, the USD/CHF, or Swissie, remains one of the most traded currency pairs.

USD/HKD — United States Dollar and Hong Kong Dollar

One of the most traded currency pairs in recent years has been the United States Dollar and the Hong Kong Dollar, or USD/HKD. This is a somewhat unique entry on this list simply because of the relationship between the two currencies. The HKD quote currency is pegged directly to the USD base currency, which means the value of the quote currency will rise and fall with that of the base currency.

There is still room for speculation, however. The HKD can fluctuate by several cents up or down from the current United States Dollar value. When extrapolated out over larger trade values and volumes — or trades made with leverage in the FX market — this can still represent a significant level of fluctuation.

EUR/GBP — European Euro and British Pound

Bringing together the European Euro in the base currency slot, up against the British Pound in the quote position, the EUR/GBP currency pair is among the most interesting options around. This is because of the geopolitical and economic speculation that has taken place in this part of the world over the last few years. While Britain was never in the Eurozone, it was a member of the European Union until several years ago. Its recent exit has caused serious fluctuations in the relative values of the two currencies.

Of course, fluctuations and volatility do not always mean bad news for investors, and many traders will actively welcome this kind of movement in the market. This is why the EUR/GBP has become one of the most popular choices for speculation, although traders are always advised to tread carefully.

USD/KRW — United States Dollar and Korean Won

The tenth and final pair on this list of the most traded currency pairs is the USD/KRW. With this pair, we find the United States Dollar in the base currency position again, while South Korea’s Won fills the quote currency position.

Huge economic growth in South Korea in the last few decades, as well as its status as one of the leaders in the global tech market, has led to considerable interest in this currency. And, of course, the United States Dollar remains one of the most commonly traded currencies in the world, making for a natural base option.

A few things to bear in mind when trading currency pairs

The above list is not definitive. The market’s most commonly traded currency pairs can change at any time, with new pairs emerging and other pairs falling out of favour. As you decide on the best currency pairs to trade, you’ll need to pay attention to market movements, examine the dashboard of your trading platform and identify trends.

Examining the market means you’ll need to stay aware of pips. Pips in FX are small movements, typically at the fourth decimal place of the currency pair value. However, with smaller denomination quote currencies like the Japanese Yen or Korean Won, these movements may be at the second decimal place. While a single pip movement may not look like much, this can represent a significant amount of money on a large trade. Even on smaller trades, pip movements decide whether the position is successful or not.

Trade the main currency pairs at VT Markets

Here at VT Markets, we provide traders with the tools and platforms they need to grow their experience in the market. This may include trading with some of the common most traded currency pairs out there, or it may involve emerging and exotic pairs. Whichever strategy you choose, begin your journey with a demo account and open real positions on the live trading account. Want to discover more? Reach out to our team today.

The US will release the Non-Farm Employment Change and FOMC Meeting Minutes this week. 

The Non-farm Employment Change is expected to show a total of 220,000 jobs added in December, down from the 263,000 jobs added in November. Forecasters also expect the Unemployment Rate to remain unchanged at 3.7%. 

Meanwhile, the Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee will shed further light on policy intentions going forward.

Here are the key market events for the week ahead:

Swiss Consumer Price Index (4 January)

The Consumer Price Index in Switzerland stood at 0% in November of 2022, unchanged from the previous month. 

Analysts expect the index to decrease by 0.3% in December.

US ISM Manufacturing PMI (4 January)

The US Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fell to 49 in November 2022 from 50.2 in October, its first contraction since May 2020.

Analysts expect the index to remain at 49.

US JOLTS Job Openings (4 January)

US job openings dropped by 353,000 to 10.3 million in October 2022, according to the JOLTS report. This may indicate that demand for workers has started to slow amid a softer economic forecast and higher interest rates.

Analysts expect that the number of available jobs will decrease more in November to 10.1 million.

FOMC Meeting Minutes (5 January)

In its last monetary policy meeting of 2022, the Federal Reserve raised the fed funds rate by 50bps to 4.25%-4.5%. This was its seventh consecutive rate hike.

The Fed expects that interest rates would reach 5.1% in 2023, 4.1% in 2024, and 3.1% in 2025.

ADP Non-Farm Employment Change (5 January)

The US private sector added only 127,000 jobs in November of 2022, below economists’ expectations.

Economists expect ADP Non-Farm to create another 150,000 jobs in December.

Canada Employment Change (6 January)

In November 2022, 10,100 jobs were added to the Canadian economy, while the unemployment rate stood at 5.1%, decreasing from the previous month’s rate of 5.2%.

Analysts predict that employment will grow by an additional 60,000 positions over the next month, with the unemployment rate to stand at 5.2%.

US Non-Farm Employment Change (6 January)

The US non-farm payrolls report for November showed an increase of 263,000 jobs following a downwardly revised 284,000 gain in October. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%, close to September’s 3.5%.

Analysts expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 3.7% while non-farm payrolls will increase by 220,000 for December.

US ISM Services PMI (6 January)

The US Institute for Supply Management’s Services Index jumped to 56.5 in November from 54.4 in October. It is expected to decline slightly to 53 in December.

Dear Client,

Please note that when constituent stocks of a market index generate dividends, VT Markets will make dividends and deductions for clients who hold the products after the close of the day before the ex-dividend date.

The dividends will not be paid/charged as an inclusion along with Swap. It will be executed separately in your account and the record will be annotated as “Div & Product Name & Net Volume”.

Please note the specific adjustments as follows:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com.

Dear Client,

Due to the holiday schedule, the rollover of HK50ft products originally scheduled for 27 December will be extended to 28 December.

The updated schedule for the December 2022 rollover is as follows.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact cs@vtmarkets.com