If you ask any market participant what the most important features of a trading platform are, reliability and functionality would likely be at the top of their list.

As a testament to this, we need only look at the success of Metaquotes in the industry. Having been in the space for many decades now, Metaquotes continues to serve optimised trading platforms, most notably in their MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading products.

For the uninitiated, these two platforms that are most likely their first step into the trading world, can be rather daunting. What exactly makes them different and why would Metaquotes offer MT4, ostensibly a much older platform, to its users?

Understanding the core differences between MT4 and MT5 can help traders select the platform that best aligns with their trading goals.

MT4: Forex Trading Simplified

Launched in 2005, MetaTrader 4 is a legacy product that quickly became a favourite for forex traders. Known for its ease of use, robust functionality, and a focus on currency trading, it offers a straightforward, user-friendly interface that beginners and experienced traders alike can easily navigate.

Key Features of MT4:

• Forex-focused: Primarily designed for forex trading, MT4 provides all the essential tools for currency analysis and trading.
• Customisable charts and indicators: With 30 built-in technical indicators and 31 graphical objects, MT4 offers ample support for chart-based analysis.
• Automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs): MT4 supports algorithmic trading through EAs, which allow users to automate strategies, back-test them, and optimise performance.
• Lightweight and efficient: Designed to work well on basic hardware and internet connections, MT4 remains responsive and efficient, even in volatile market conditions.

MT4’s simplicity is its strength, making it ideal for traders who focus mainly on forex, require quick execution, and value a platform with a less steep learning curve. Additionally, the wide availability of third-party plugins and a strong online community provides support and resources that make MT4 highly adaptable.

MT5: Advanced Tools for Multi-Asset Trading

MetaTrader 5 was launched in 2010 as an updated and expanded version of MT4, aimed at offering more tools for multi-asset trading. While it retains MT4’s core features, MT5 includes enhanced trading tools, more asset classes, and advanced functionalities that make it well-suited for professional traders and those who wish to diversify beyond forex.

Key Features of MT5:

• Multi-asset support: MT5 is designed to trade not only forex but also stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. It’s tailored for traders looking for portfolio diversity.
• More order types and timeframes: MT5 adds two more order types (Buy Stop Limit and Sell Stop Limit) and supports 21 timeframes, making it highly flexible for detailed analysis.
• Economic calendar and fundamental analysis tools: MT5 incorporates an economic calendar and news feed, allowing traders to track events that may impact their trading strategies.
• Upgraded programming language (MQL5): The advanced MQL5 language enables the development of complex automated trading scripts, which run faster and allow for more precise customisation.
• Depth of Market (DOM): MT5 includes the DOM feature, displaying bid and ask prices across various levels. This tool is helpful for traders looking to gauge market sentiment and liquidity.
• More built-in indicators and analytical tools: With 38 technical indicators, 44 graphical objects, and multiple analytical tools, MT5 offers a richer analytical environment.

MT5’s expanded toolset makes it well-suited for traders who want to trade across multiple markets and rely on both technical and fundamental analysis. However, due to the complexity of its tools, MT5 may require a steeper learning curve, making it more popular among advanced traders or those looking for specific, customisable features.

Key Differences Between MT4 and MT5

Choosing Between MT4 and MT5

Selecting between MT4 and MT5 depends on your trading style, asset preference, and technical needs:

• Forex Traders: If you’re mainly trading forex and appreciate a streamlined, efficient platform, MT4 remains an ideal choice.
• Multi-Asset Traders: For those who trade across multiple asset classes or need advanced analytics and customisation, MT5’s expanded capabilities may offer more flexibility.
• Beginners: MT4’s simplicity makes it accessible to new traders, whereas MT5 might be better suited for experienced traders familiar with the demands of multi-asset trading.

Why MT5 May Be the Better Choice for Today’s Traders

If you’re seeking to diversify beyond forex or looking for a platform with deeper analytical tools, MT5 stands out as the clear choice.

Its multi-asset capabilities make it adaptable to a wide array of trading strategies, while features like DOM, additional order types, and timeframes provide a more comprehensive trading experience.

• Multi-Asset Flexibility: MT5’s support for forex, stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies allows traders to diversify across multiple markets from a single platform.
• Enhanced Analytical Tools: From 38 technical indicators to an integrated economic calendar, MT5 enables both detailed technical and fundamental analysis.
• Future-Proof Platform: With its upgraded programming language and features, MT5 is more adaptable to future trading needs and complex strategies, positioning it as a robust choice for evolving market conditions.

Ultimately, while MT4 offers a streamlined environment for forex, MT5’s advanced tools and multi-asset support present an opportunity for traders who want to elevate their trading approach and keep pace with today’s fast-changing markets.

Choosing MT5 means selecting a platform ready to grow with you, meeting the demands of a sophisticated trading environment with flexibility and depth.

Open an account with VT Markets now 
 
Already have an account with VT Markets? Download MT5 now 

Dear Client,

New contracts will automatically be rolled over as follows:

Please note:

• The rollover will be automatic, and any existing open positions will remain open.

• Positions that are open on the expiration date will be adjusted via a rollover charge or credit to reflect the price difference between the expiring and new contracts.

• To avoid CFD rollovers, clients can choose to close any open CFD positions prior to the expiration date.

• Please ensure that all take-profit and stop-loss settings are adjusted before the rollover occurs.

• All internal transfers for accounts under the same name will be prohibited during the first and last 30 minutes of the trading hours on the rollover dates.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].

Dear Client,

Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.

Please refer to the table below for more details:

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 [email protected].

Keputusan Fed yang terbaru untuk mengurangkan kadar dana persekutuan sebanyak 0.25% ke 4.75% telah menarik perhatian pasaran. Langkah ini adalah selari dengan jangkaan ramai yang ia akan berlaku jika Fed menghampiri sasaran inflasinya.

Pengurangan sederhana ini menandakan peralihan polisi kewangan yang akan menyokong pertumbuhan ekonomi sambil memberi perhatian terhadap inflasi. Keputusan ini boleh memberikan kesan yang mendalam merentasi ekonomi global dan pasaran US.

Mencari Keseimbangan

Secara keseluruhannya, keputusan ini didorong oleh inflasi, yang melonjak dengan dramatik pada 2021 tetapi telah menurun sejak itu. Petunjuk inflasi pilihan Fed, indeks PCE, telah menghampiri sasaran 2%, memberi mereka ruang untuk menurunkan kadar tanpa menaikkan inflasi semula.

Tetapi, terdapat faktor lain yang perlu diberi perhatian oleh Fed: pasaran buruh. Walaupun pengangguran kekal rendah, terdapat kemungkinan keadaan boleh berubah dengan drastik. Pasaran buruh adalah rapuh dalam cara yang sukar diramal, dan Fed mahu mengekalkan keseimbangan.

Gerakan berhati-hati ini, walaupun halus, adalah cara mereka untuk memastikan pertumbuhan ekonomi kekal pada landasan.

Kemenangan Trump Yang Boleh Mengubah Segala-Galanya

Keadaan menjadi lebih rumit dengan perlantikan bekas Presiden Donald Trump. Kemenangannya menambahkan ketakpastian, terutamanya dalam polisi ekonomi.

Salah satu cadangan yang kerap dibincangkan adalah rancangan untuk potongan cukai, yang boleh mengakibatkan defisit persekutuan yang lebih besar. Defisit yang bertambah akan meningkatkan pinjaman kerajaan, mendorong tekanan ke atas Fed untuk memikirkan semula strategi kadar faedahnya.

Jika defisit bertambah, Fed mungkin perlu menyesuaikan program pembelian bonnya atau mengurus kadar dengan cara yang berbeza untuk mengelakkan ketidakstabilan jangka panjang.

Komplikasi Untuk Fed

Pendirian Trump terhadap tarif boleh mengeruhkan keadaan. Jika tarif meningkatkan kos barang yang diimport, inflasi boleh meningkat semula, yang akan memberikan cabaran kepada Fed untuk mengekalkan harga yang stabil.

Fed perlu berhati-hati dengan perubahan polisi ini supaya ia dapat mengawal inflasi sambil menyokong pertumbuhan.

Situasi ini telah mengubah jangkaan pasaran. Pada asalnya, Fed merancang untuk mengurangkan kadar secara beransur-ansur dengan julat di antara 3.25% hingga 3.5% menjelang 2025.

Tetapi kini, penganalisis meramalkan Fed mungkin hanya akan mencapai 4.0% pada masa itu Pandangan yang lebih berhati-hati ini didorong oleh impak dari polisi Trump.

Potongan cukai dan tarif boleh memperlahankan rentak Fed, mendorongnya untuk menjadi lebih konservatif dalam strateginya.

Analisis Teknikal

USDX telah menunjukkan momentum menaik, meningkat daripada paras 105.30 yang dipantau. Apabila ia mendaki lebih tinggi, pedagang akan memerhatikan kawasan 105.60 dengan teliti.

Jika tindakan harga mula berkonsolidasi di sini, terdapat potensi untuk pergerakan menaik lebih lanjut, dengan sasaran seterusnya di kawasan 106.10.

Walau bagaimanapun, jika harga mula menunjukkan tanda-tanda tekanan bearish di 106.10, ia boleh menjadi peluang untuk menjual. Oleh itu, peserta pasaran perlu memberi perhatian terhadap corak yang sedang berkembang.

EURUSD telah menunjukkan pullback daripada kawasan 1.0830, yang dikenal pasti sebagai potensi zon rintangan. Sekiranya pasangan ini terus menurun, fokus akan berpindah kepada paras sokongan pada 1.0655 dan 1.0620.

SP500 terus mencipta rekod baru, dengan 6050 sebagai paras rintangan seterusnya. Momentum bullish lanjut boleh mendorong kenaikan ke paras lebih tinggi.

GBPUSD sedang jatuh di bawah 1.3030, dengan 1.2790 dan 1.2700 bertindak sebagai paras sokongan utama. Pembalikan di sini boleh menjadi peluang untuk membeli.

USDJPY telah jatuh di bawah 152.40, dan 150.00 akan menjadi kritikal untuk kemungkinan isyarat pembalikan bullish. Sebarang penurunan lanjut boleh mendorong pergerakan bearish.

Dalam komoditi, USOil masih berlegar di bawah zon jual 73.90, tetapi jika ia berkonsolidasi berhampiran 71.30, ia boleh menjadi titik masuk untuk menjual, manakal konsolidasi boleh mencadangkan peluang membeli.

Gas Asli sedang berkonsolidasi berhampiran 2.27, dengan potensi breakout dalam mana-mana arah. Jika harga bergerak lebih tinggi, isyarat bearish pada 2.55 boleh mencetuskan peluang menjual.

Untuk logam berharga, Emas sedang menguji 2675 selepas jatuh daripada 2710. Dorongan lebih tinggi boleh mensasarkan 2750, tetapi konsolidasi boleh mengakibatkan penurunan lebih lanjut ke arah 2625.

Peristiwa Utama Minggu Ini

Pada hari Isnin, New Zealand akan melancarkan data Inflation Expectations, yang boleh memberi pandangan ke atas saiz potongan kadar seterusnya oleh Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Hari Rabu akan menampilkan laporan Consumer Price Index (CPI) tahun-ke-tahun US, yang dijangkakan menunjukkan inflasi yang stabil pada 2.4%. Data ini akan diperhatikan dengan teliti untuk sebarang tanda impak ke atas polisi kewangan Fed.

Pada hari Khamis, Gabenor Reserve Bank Australia Bullock akan berucap, dengan pedagang mencari petunjuk terhadap trajektori kadar faedah pada masa depan. Kadar Pengangguran Australia dijangkakan kekal pada 4.10%, memberikan petunjuk ke atas kestabilan pasaran buruh.

Hari Jumaat akan menyaksikan beberapa peristiwa utama, termasuk ucapan daripada Pengerusi Fed US Powell, di mana pedagang akan mencari petunjuk terhadap keputusan kadar faedah masa depan.

Di UK, Gabenor Bank of England Bailey akan berucap, dan data KDNK untuk Oktober akan dikeluarkan. US juga akan menerbitkan data Retail Sales, dijangkakan naik 0.3%, memberi pandangan ke atas trend perbelanjaan semasa pengguna.

Buka akaun live VT Markets anda dan mula berdagang sekarang.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — 11 November 2024 — VT Markets is pleased to announce the appointment of Ross Maxwell as its new Global Strategy Operations Lead. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial markets, Ross has built an impressive career across major global financial centers, including London and Hong Kong. His expertise in both technical and fundamental analysis, coupled with a broad global market perspective, will be invaluable as VT Markets continues to expand its reach on the international stage.

In his new role, Ross will oversee the development and delivery of high-level educational content, focused on empowering traders with a deeper understanding of market dynamics. His approach will combine both technical strategies and fundamental insights to create clear, actionable content that helps traders make more informed decisions. By providing these valuable resources, Ross aims to enhance trading performance and success for VT Markets’ global clientele.

“We are excited to welcome Ross to the VT Markets team,” said Dandelyn Koh, Global Brand & PR Lead. “His extensive experience and deep understanding of global markets will play a crucial role in driving the company’s strategic direction. We are confident that his leadership will help us enhance our educational offerings and provide traders with the insights they need to navigate today’s dynamic markets.”

Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operations Lead shared: “I am thrilled to be joining VT Markets at such a pivotal time in its growth. The company’s commitment to empowering traders through education and strategic insights is something I deeply align with. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at VT Markets and helping shape the future of trading by providing traders with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in an increasingly complex global market.”

Beyond his educational initiatives, Ross will also contribute thought leadership on a wide range of topics, including global economic trends, market developments, and investment strategies. His strategic insights will be vital in further establishing VT Markets as a trusted resource for traders, guiding them through the complexities of the evolving financial landscape.

About VT Markets

VT Markets is a regulated multi-asset broker with a presence in over 160 countries as of today. It has earned numerous international accolades including Best Online Trading and Fastest Growing Broker. In line with its mission to make trading accessible to all, VT Markets offers comprehensive access to over 1,000 financial instruments and clients benefit from a seamless trading experience via its award-winning mobile application.

For more information, please visit the official VT Markets website or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, follow VT Markets on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

For media enquiries and sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected], or contact:

Dandelyn Koh

Global Brand & PR Lead

[email protected] 

Brenda Wong

Assistant Manager, Global PR & Communications

[email protected]

Dear Client,

Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.

Please refer to the table below for more details:

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 [email protected].

Dear Client,

Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.

Please refer to the table below for more details:

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 [email protected].

The November interest rate meeting is scheduled for the same time as the US general election, so the Fed has postponed it by a day. The policy meeting will now take place on November 6-7, with the rate decision announced at 3:00 AM Beijing time on November 8 (Friday). 

See also: This Billionaire Investor Sees the US Election Risks, Braces for Even More Inflation Trades 

As the Fed starts cutting, Wall Street gets nervous 

Following the initial rate cut by the Federal Reserve, the discussion has moved from “when” cuts would start to “where” interest rates are expected to go from here. 

In case you missed it, here’s a recap of what happened when Fed slashed rates by 50bps in September. 
 
Economists often focus on the Fed’s neutral rate, or “r-star”—basically, the rate that keeps the economy steady without speeding it up or slowing it down. It’s the key measure for whether the Fed’s policy is tightening or loosening. 

Think of R-star as the “Goldilocks zone” for interest rates—not too high, not too low, but just right to keep prices stable and maximise employment. Although R-star plays a key role in guiding Fed policy, it’s hard to pinpoint. 

Neutral interest rates are full of uncertainty 

Understanding the neutral rate is crucial because it helps central bankers to determine whether their monetary policy is accommodative, neutral, or restrictive. This insight helps them effectively use one of their main tools—interest rates—to either curb or stimulate economic activity. 

The main concern is that the neutral interest rate could be higher than what the Fed expects.  

If that’s the case, the Fed might end up cutting rates too much, which could lead to another surge in inflation. 

Is the Fed cutting rates excessively? 

If this situation happens, the bond market is likely to feel the effects first.  

However, if volatility causes inflation to stay high, it could quickly affect the stock market, forex, and other markets as well. 

Some market indicators, such as the difference between 5-year US Treasury yields and the yields on inflation-protected bonds of the same maturity, seem to reflect these anxieties. 

Since the Fed’s initial rate cut target last month, this spread—commonly known as the 5-year break-even inflation rate—has already bounced back, suggesting that some investors are anticipating more persistent inflation in the future. 

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 

After an unexpectedly weak jobs report caused a global stock market sell-off, numerous critics argued that the Federal Reserve seemed to be falling behind, with some even advocating for emergency rate cuts. 

Debate among policymakers behind the scenes 

Federal Reserve officials often discuss this rate to help clarify the complex decisions they’re making, but even they have varying opinions on it. 

Fed Board member Bowman voted against the decision to lower the policy rate target by 50 bps in September, marking the first dissent since 2005. 

Additionally, other Federal Reserve officials share skepticism about this decision. Atlanta Federal Reserve President Bostic mentioned to The Wall Street Journal that he is open to keeping rates steady during the last two policy meetings of the year. 

Will the Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points? 

According to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool, traders forecast a 98% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve in November. 

Source: CME Group 

While this week’s policy meeting may not bring many surprises, Federal Reserve policymakers are grappling with a challenging economic puzzle: the U.S. labour market shows signs of cooling, yet consumer spending remains strong.  

It’s unclear how long these trends of steady spending and a slowing labour market will persist, as these figures are revised every month. 

Looking for a trusted CFD broker to capitalise on short-term volatility? 

Trade with VT Markets now 

Dear Client,

Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.

Please refer to the table below for more details:

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 [email protected].