
Forex trading is built on variations in basis points, where the basis point is one tenth of a cent (or one tenth of the smallest unit of currency being traded). For example, if Euros are $1.60 each, every $32 you put into Euros will net 20 of them. If Euros rise to $1.80 each, your 20 Euros will be worth $36.00.
The chief strategy for foreign trading is watching the closing times of the major trading venues, which are London, the Asian markets and New York. A lot of banks will try to close out their positions at those times, which will cause the market to fluctuate.