Black Swans In Forex Trading Explained

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Black swans are unpredictable events that can change the economic picture of the world. Examples:

  • Industrial revolution in the 19th century.

  • Computerization and the emergence of the Internet in the second half of the 20th century.

  • Mortgage crisis in 2008.

  • Pandemic in 2020.

Black swans are a term that was introduced by Nassim Taleb, denoting global unpredictable events that can radically change the situation. They cannot be predicted, but you can prepare: be flexible, do not be overconfident, react instantly to non-standard news, develop critical thinking and decision-making skills in conditions of uncertainty.

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What are black swans on Forex

Black swans are unexpected, unpredictable events that can have significant consequences for the market. They are named after a quote from Nassim Nicholas Taleb, who compared them to black swans, which were previously thought to be impossible to observe in Europe.

On Forex, black swans can take various forms, such as:

  • Political events: elections, military conflicts, sanctions, etc.

  • Economic events: financial crises, sharp changes in interest rates, currency devaluations, etc.

  • Natural disasters: earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, etc.

Black swans can have a devastating impact on trading accounts if traders are not prepared for them. They can lead to sharp price swings that can lead to losses or even bankruptcy.

The main theses from Nassim Taleb's book "The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable":

  • The world is unpredictable. Most events in the world cannot be predicted based on past experience. This is because the world is complex and constantly changing.

  • Black swans have a huge impact. Although black swans occur rarely, they can have a huge impact on the world. For example, the financial crisis of 2008 was a black swan that led to a global economic recession.

  • We underestimate the probability of black swans. We tend to think that the world is more predictable than it actually is. This leads to us underestimating the probability of black swans and not taking steps to mitigate them.

  • We must learn to live with black swans. We cannot completely eliminate the probability of black swans, but we can learn to live with them. This can be done by developing flexibility and adaptability, as well as using risk management techniques.

How to avoid losses from black swans

According to Nassim Taleb, black swans play an important role in economics and can have significant consequences for markets, companies, and individuals. Because black swans are unpredictable, they cannot be fully accounted for in forecasting. However, Taleb believes that there are several approaches that can help to reduce the risks associated with black swans.

One approach is to use a wide range of scenarios in forecasting. This means that instead of focusing on a single scenario based on past data, it is necessary to consider a wide range of possible outcomes. This will help to account for the likelihood that a black swan will occur.

Another approach is to use risk management techniques that can help to mitigate the consequences of a black swan. For example, companies can use hedging to reduce financial risks or implement risk management systems to reduce operational risks.

A third approach is to develop flexibility and adaptability. This means that companies and individuals need to be prepared for change and be able to quickly adapt to new conditions. This will help them to better cope with the consequences of a black swan.

There are a few things that traders can do to reduce the risk of losses from black swans:

  • Diversify your portfolio. don't invest all of your funds in one asset or currency.

  • Use stop-losses: stop-losses are orders that automatically close a position when the price reaches a certain level. They can help to limit your losses in the event of a sharp price drop.

  • Be prepared for the unexpected. always be prepared for the possibility of a black swan event. This will help you to stay calm and make the right decisions in a crisis.

  • Stay informed about current events. The more you know about what is happening in the world, the better prepared you will be for unexpected events.

  • Follow the news. There are a number of resources available that can help you stay up-to-date on current events, such as news websites, financial news channels, and social media.

  • Be flexible. Don't be afraid to change your strategy if necessary. If a black swan event occurs, you may need to adjust your strategy to account for the new market conditions.

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Examples of black swans on Forex

There have been several events in the history of Forex that could be considered black swans. Here are a few of them:

  • The Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998. This crisis led to the collapse of the currencies of several Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.

  • Economic crises. Economic crises are an example of a black swan that can have significant consequences for markets, companies, and individuals. For example, the financial crisis of 2008 led to a global economic recession that affected millions of people.

  • Technological innovations. Technological innovations can also be black swans that can lead to significant changes in the economy. For example, the advent of the internet led to the creation of new industries, such as e-commerce and social media.

  • Political events. Political events can also be black swans that can have consequences for the economy. For example, the war in Ukraine led to rising energy prices and other commodities, which had a negative impact on the global economy.

  • Natural disasters. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, are an example of black swans that can have devastating consequences. For example, the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 killed over 230,000 people.

Conclusion

Black swans are an integral part of the Forex market. It is important to be prepared for them in order to reduce the risk of losses. Portfolio diversification, the use of stop-losses, and being prepared for the unexpected are all things that can help you to protect your trading accounts.

Glossary for novice traders

  • 1 Broker

    A broker is a legal entity or individual that performs as an intermediary when making trades in the financial markets. Private investors cannot trade without a broker, since only brokers can execute trades on the exchanges.

  • 2 Black swans

    Black swans are a term that was introduced by Nassim Taleb, denoting global unpredictable events that can radically change the situation.

  • 3 Trading

    Trading involves the act of buying and selling financial assets like stocks, currencies, or commodities with the intention of profiting from market price fluctuations. Traders employ various strategies, analysis techniques, and risk management practices to make informed decisions and optimize their chances of success in the financial markets.

  • 4 Forex Trading

    Forex trading, short for foreign exchange trading, is the practice of buying and selling currencies in the global foreign exchange market with the aim of profiting from fluctuations in exchange rates. Traders speculate on whether one currency will rise or fall in value relative to another currency and make trading decisions accordingly.

  • 5 Risk Management

    Risk management is a risk management model that involves controlling potential losses while maximizing profits. The main risk management tools are stop loss, take profit, calculation of position volume taking into account leverage and pip value.

Team that worked on the article

Alex Smith
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Alex Smith is a professional day trader for a proprietary trading firm within the foreign exchange (forex) and crypto markets. His area of expertise is day trading and swing trading within the 15min-4hr time frames for both the London and NY open.

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).