Market Maker (MM), in the context of Forex (Foreign Exchange) trading, refers to a type of order execution adopted by Forex brokerage firms.
To understand what is a Market Maker broker, it’s important to recognise that modern Forex brokers typically employ a hybrid execution model. While Market Making is a key component, many brokers also integrate ECN (Electronic Communication Network) and STP (Straight Through Processing) technologies.
This hybrid approach allows them to offer a variety of account types, each emphasizing a different execution model to cater to diverse trading needs.
Though the term ‘Market Maker broker’ in the financial markets is commonly used for ease of understanding, it’s more accurate to discuss the different execution models that brokers might prioritise in their services.
Nevertheless, for the sake of clarity and consistency in this guide, we will refer to Market Makers as a distinct category and explore its specific characteristics and the implications of its execution style.
What does Market Maker mean?
In Forex trading, a “Market Maker” refers to a broker or a financial institution that provides both buy and sell quotes, effectively ‘making the market’. They ensure liquidity by being ready to buy or sell at any time.
The term ‘Market Maker’ stems from their role in literally ‘making the market’ for traders. A Market Maker, in other words, creates a representation of what is happening on a particular market in order to show it to traders and enable them to trade it. The Forex market has no official exchange from which brokers can obtain the official prices of the assets traded on it. The Forex market is a network, and within this network Market Makers receive data from various sources, and then decide what prices to show.
They do this by quoting prices at which they will buy (bid) and sell (ask) a currency pair, which means a trader can always find a counterparty for their trade. This constant availability of prices facilitates smoother and more efficient trading in the Forex market.
This is connected to the concept of “dealing desk”, which refers to a system where transactions are executed internally by the broker. Instead of routing orders to the external market, a dealing desk broker takes the other side of client trades, managing risks through internal processes and sometimes offsetting trades with other clients’ orders.
This setup allows Market Makers to provide continuous liquidity and fixed spreads, but it can also lead to potential conflicts of interest since the broker profits from clients’ losses. The opposite of this system is known as Non-Dealing desk.
What is a Market Maker Forex broker?
A Market Maker Forex broker is a type of broker that uses a dealing desk to provide liquidity and set bid and ask prices, thus facilitating Forex trading by acting as the counterparty to trades.
In the Forex market, Market Makers operate through a dealing desk model. This means they create a market for their clients by taking the opposite side of their trades. When a trader wants to buy a currency pair, the broker sells it to them, and vice versa. The dealing desk manages these transactions, ensuring that orders are executed even when there’s no exact match in the open market.
The Market Maker model is also referred to as B-Book. In Forex, A-Book and B-Book are two models of counterparty risk management performed by the broker.
This approach provides continuous liquidity, which is crucial for the smooth functioning of the Forex market. It allows traders to execute trades quickly and at known prices. Market Makers can offer fixed spreads, which can be advantageous for traders planning their strategies around consistent trading costs.
However, the dealing desk model can lead to potential conflicts of interest. Since the broker profits when traders lose (and vice versa), there’s an inherent risk of price manipulation.
To mitigate this, regulated Market Makers are subject to strict oversight and rules that ensure fair trading practices. Despite the concerns, the presence of Market Makers is essential in the Forex market, as they provide the necessary liquidity and facilitate access for retail and institutional traders.
How do Market Maker Forex brokers work?
A Market Maker Forex broker operates by incorporating the concept of Contracts for Difference (CFDs) into their model to facilitate currency trading for their clients.
The process begins with the broker setting up a dealing desk, which acts as the hub for quoting both the buy and sell prices for a range of currency pairs. These pairs are traded as CFDs, a type of derivative that allows traders to speculate on currency price movements without owning the actual currencies.
When a trader using a Market Maker broker decides to trade, they are engaging in a CFD transaction. If they wish to buy, they enter a contract at the broker’s selling price for a specific currency pair, and if they want to sell, they do so at the broker’s buying price. The spread between these prices is where Market Makers earn their revenue.
In a CFD transaction, the Market Maker takes the opposite position to the client’s trade. For instance, if a trader buys a currency pair CFD, the broker sells it to them, and vice versa. This ensures that trades can be executed promptly, as the broker is consistently available to complete the transaction.
Managing risk in the context of CFD trades is a critical aspect of a Market Maker’s operations, given the inherent volatility of currency markets. To effectively handle the risk associated with price fluctuations, Market Makers employ several strategies.
One key strategy is hedging externally. This involves taking positions in the market that counterbalance the trades made by their clients. For example, if a large number of clients are buying a particular currency pair, the Market Maker might hedge this exposure by taking an equal position in the market. This way, any potential losses they face due to their clients’ successful trades are offset by gains from their hedge. It’s a balancing act that requires constant monitoring of market trends and client activity.
Another common risk management tactic is offsetting internally. Market Makers might match a buy order from one client with a sell order from another. By doing this, they neutralize their exposure to the market, as the opposing positions cancel each other out. This is particularly effective in a high-volume trading environment, where there are enough opposing positions among clients to make matching feasible.
Market Makers also use sophisticated software and algorithms to monitor and manage risk. These tools help them analyze market conditions, track their exposure levels, and make rapid decisions to adjust their strategies as needed. The objective is to maintain a balanced book, where the risks from client positions are effectively managed to ensure the broker’s overall stability and profitability.
Can Market Makers manipulate prices?
Market Makers have the theoretical ability to manipulate prices because they create their own internal markets and set bid and ask prices for their clients. This control over pricing could potentially be used to trigger stop losses or provide less favourable execution prices.
However, it’s important to note that such practices are generally not in line with the business model of major, reputable Market Maker brokers.
Larger and well-regulated Market Maker brokers prioritize maintaining a loyal customer base and uphold their reputation in the market. Their business model is focused on long-term customer engagement rather than short-term gains from price manipulation. These brokers understand that keeping clients trading on their platforms for longer periods is more profitable in the long run. Happy customers tend to trade more, generating continuous revenue for the broker through spreads and commissions.
Additionally, reputable Market Makers mitigate their own risks by offsetting client exposures. They manage their risk profiles by hedging or balancing trades using complex algorithms and strategies. This approach to risk management often aligns their interests with those of their clients, as it reduces the need for any unfair manipulation of prices.
How do trading fees work on Market Maker brokers?
Market maker Forex brokers primarily generate revenue through spreads.
As a benchmark, on average, on EUR/USD market makers have a spread of about 1 pip for each transaction. This translates into a cost of 10 dollars per lot for the trader to open a trade, and another 10 dollars to close it. This fee structure means that every time a trader enters and exits a trade, the market maker earns 20 dollars (10 dollars for opening and 10 dollars for closing).
In the case of accounts with fixed spreads, the cost is slightly higher. On average these accounts have a set spread of 1.4 pips on EUR/USD, irrespective of market conditions. The higher spread means increased costs for the trader, translating to 14 dollars per lot to open a trade and the same amount to close it, totalling 28 dollars for a complete trade.
Market Maker Forex brokers vs STP vs ECN
Following is a comparison of the Market Maker Forex broker’s characteristics with the other main types of Forex brokers, i.e. STP broker and ECN Broker:
- Market Acces: Market Makers establish and control their own internal markets, while STP brokers forward orders to a network of liquidity providers, and ECN brokers match trades within a vast network of market participants for direct access.
- Transparency: Market Makers typically offer less pricing transparency, unlike STP brokers who provide moderate transparency. ECN brokers lead in transparency, showcasing detailed market depth.
- Spreads and Fees: Market Makers generally offer fixed spreads without direct commissions. STP brokers have variable spreads with mark-ups, and ECN brokers feature variable spreads with added commissions.
- Cost Calculation: Market Makers incorporate all costs within the spread, simplifying calculations. In contrast, STP trading involves considering the spread cost, and ECN trading requires accounting for both spread and commission.
- Market Insight: Market Makers provide minimal market depth information. STP brokers offer limited insights, whereas ECN platforms excel with Depth of Market data, offering a deeper understanding of market dynamics.
- Liquidity Sources: Market Makers act as the sole liquidity provider. STP brokers connect to a selected group of providers, while ECN brokers link traders to a diverse pool of liquidity sources.
- Initial Deposits: Market Maker accounts are typically more accessible with lower initial deposit requirements, compared to STP and especially ECN accounts, which often demand higher initial investments.
- Complexity: Market Maker platforms are designed for user-friendliness. STP platforms strike a balance in complexity, while ECN platforms cater to more experienced traders with a more intricate interface.
How do Market Maker brokers make money?
Market Makers earn money through trading spreads, clients’ losses, and various non-trading fees. They profit from the difference in buy and sell prices, benefit financially when clients incur losses, and charge for services not directly related to trading.
Market makers set the buy and sell prices for currency pairs, creating a spread that is their primary source of revenue. They earn this spread each time a trader opens and closes a position.
Market Makers earn additional income by imposing swap fees on trades that remain open overnight.
Additionally, these brokers operate on a ‘counterparty’ model, where they often take the opposite position of their clients’ trades. This means when a client loses on a trade, the broker might profit, assuming they have taken the other side of the trade. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean brokers are incentivized for clients to lose, as they primarily rely on spreads for income.
Non-trading fees are another revenue stream for market makers. These can include charges for inactivity fees, withdrawal fees, and other administrative fees, and other administrative costs. While these fees are not directly related to trading activity, they are a part of the ways Forex brokers make money.
Are there risks in trading with Market Maker brokers?
Trading in the Forex market inherently involves risks like market volatility and geopolitical events, whether using a Market Maker broker or not. However, trading with Market Makers presents specific additional risks.
A key concern is the potential conflict of interest, as Market Makers can profit from clients’ losses by taking the opposite side of trades. This structural aspect of their business model can create a misalignment between the broker’s and the trader’s interests. However, this type of risk is drastically reduced by relying on regulated and world-renowned brokers.
Requotes are another risk with Market Makers, especially in volatile markets. Traders may face new quotes at less favorable prices than initially expected, which can impact trading strategies and outcomes.
Finally, there’s a perceived risk of price manipulation with some Market Makers, though not common among reputable and regulated brokers. The concern is that they might influence prices to trigger stop-losses or widen spreads unfairly.
Pros and Cons of Market Maker Forex brokers
Market Maker Forex brokers have several advantages, but also a number of disadvantages of which you need to be aware. Below is a list of the pros and cons of Forex Market Makers:
Pros of Market Maker brokers:
- Fixed Spreads: Market Makers often offer fixed spreads, which can be advantageous for budgeting trading costs, especially in stable market conditions.
- Stability in Price Quotes: They provide consistent price quotes, reducing uncertainty and providing stability in pricing, which is beneficial in volatile markets.
- Suitability for Beginners: Their platforms are usually user-friendly and well-suited for beginners, with simpler interfaces and easy-to-understand functionalities.
- Low Minimum Deposits: Market Makers often have lower minimum deposit requirements, making Forex trading more accessible to a wider range of traders.
- All-inclusive Trading Costs: The trading costs are typically included in the spread, making it easier for traders to calculate their trading expenses.
Cons of Market Maker brokers:
- Potential Conflict of Interest: Since Market Makers take the opposite side of client trades, there’s an inherent conflict of interest, as they profit when traders lose.
- Requotes: During high volatility, Market Makers might provide requotes, which can disrupt trading strategies and lead to missed trading opportunities.
- Limited Trading Styles: Some Market Makers restrict certain trading strategies like scalping or high-frequency trading.
- Price Manipulation Risk: There’s a perceived risk of price manipulation, as Market Makers control the pricing and execution of trades.
- Less Suitable for Large Traders: High-volume or professional traders might find Market Makers less attractive due to potential limitations in execution and depth.
- Lack of Market Depth Transparency: Traders have limited visibility into the real market depth and liquidity, which can be a disadvantage for more advanced trading strategies.
What are the best Market Maker brokers?
The brokerage firms considered to be among the top Market Makers brokers are:
- AvaTrade: best for fixed spread trading
- IG Markets: wide range of tradable assets
- EasyMarkets: best customer service
- XTB: for educational resources
- Forex.com: best for high-volume traders
These are five of the brokerage firms recognised as the best Market Maker Forex brokers around, although there are also many others.
What is the best trading platform for Market Maker brokers?
The best platforms for trading with Market Makers in Forex are the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader, considering third-party platforms.
However, many Market Makers have also developed proprietary trading platforms, which are thus broker-specific.
Who should choose a Market Maker broker?
Market Maker Forex brokers are particularly suited for new traders entering the Forex market. These brokers provide a good level of liquidity, ensuring that trades are executed quickly and at stable prices.
They can offer fixed spreads, which can be more cost-effective for traders who aren’t dealing in large volumes. This model also reduces slippage – the difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which the trade is executed.
For beginners, this stability and predictability are crucial, as they navigate the complexities of Forex trading.
Additionally, Market Makers often have lower minimum deposit requirements and provide a more straightforward trading environment, which can be less intimidating for those just starting out.