What are PIPs in trading?

What is a PIP?

Pips are small increments used to measure the smallest changes in value of a currency, stock, or any other tradable instrument. They are one of the most important concepts in trading, as they help traders make better decisions about how to handle the fluctuations in the market.

A PIP stands for Price Interest Point, and it is the unit of measure used by traders to determine how much a particular asset has changed in value. PIPs are often used as a basis for calculating gains and losses in trades. In other words, if a currency pair changes in value by a certain number of PIPs, a trader can determine their profits and losses based on that information.

Traders who employ different strategies, such as scalping, swing trading, day trading, and positional trading, will all make use of PIPs. PIPs are especially important in forex trading as currency values fluctuate on a second-by-second basis, and the smallest changes can lead to considerable gains and losses.

To calculate PIPs, you simply subtract the price at which you purchased the asset from the current market price. For example, if you purchase a currency pair at a price of 1.4206, and the current market price is 1.4210, the difference between the two prices would be 0.0004, or 4 PIPs.

An example of PIPs in a CFD trade would be as follows: let’s say you purchase 10 shares of XYZ at a price of $25.00 per share. You enter a trade to sell the shares for a profit, and the current market price for XYZ is $26.00. Your profit on the trade would be $1.00 per share, or 10 PIPs.

Another example of PIPs in a spread-betting trade would be as follows: you enter a trade to purchase 10 shares of ABC at a price of $60.00 per share. The current market price of ABC is $62.00 per share, so you make a profit of $2.00 per share, or 20 PIPs.

The last example of PIPs in a forex trade would be as follows: you purchase 1 unit of EUR/USD at a price of 1.3500, and the current market price is 1.3550. Your profit on the trade would be 0.005 or 5 PIPs.

Overall, understanding PIPs and how to calculate them is essential for traders of all strategies, as they are used to measure the smallest changes in value of any asset. Calculating PIPs will help traders accurately gauge the profits and losses associated with their trades, allowing them to make better decisions about their trades and maximizing their chances of success in the markets.