Trading USD/HKD
Trading the USD/HKD is an excellent way to access the world’s two largest economies, the US and China. However, its fixed self-correcting system makes it best suited to experienced forex traders. This page will cover everything you need to know about trading the cross currency pair, from exchange spot rates to trends and forecasts. We also list the best brokers for trading the USD/HKD.
USD/HKD Trading Brokers
- Forex.com - Forex.com is a leading FX broker. The brand offers a wide range of currency pairs and some of the lowest fees in the industry. Spreads on the EUR/USD come in as low as 0.0 with a $7 commission per $100k.
- Interactive Brokers - Trade 85 major, minor and exotic forex pairs via CFDs on IB's FXTrader platform with tight spreads and low commissions, or trade forex on the spot market. They offer more FX assets than almost any competitor.
- NinjaTrader - NinjaTrader supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The trading software also offers unique features tailored to forex trading, including specific order and market windows.
- OANDA US - OANDA offers 68 forex pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker's in-house platform also offers impressive execution speeds and a suite of advanced charting and analysis tools.
- Webull - Webull offers a modest collection of 17 currencies, including majors like EUR/USD. Forex can be traded on the feature-rich investing app with real-time quotes and low spreads.
Top 3 Broker Comparison
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Assets | 80+ | 70+ | 50+ |
| EUR/USD Spread | 1.0 | Commission (.20 pts x trade value) | 1.3 |
| Forex App Rating | |||
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | $50 |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC | SEC, FCA, IIROC, SFC | NFA, CFTC |
| Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit |
#1 - Forex.com
Forex.com is a leading FX broker. The brand offers a wide range of currency pairs and some of the lowest fees in the industry. Spreads on the EUR/USD come in as low as 0.0 with a $7 commission per $100k.
"Forex.com is an excellent broker for active forex traders with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads, low commissions and powerful charting platforms for day traders. "
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.0
- EURUSD Spread: 1.0
- EURGBP Spread: 1.0
- Total Assets: 80+
- Leverage: 1:50
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
About Forex.com
Forex.com boasts a global reputation with multiple awards and 20+ years experience. Regulated in the US, EU, UK and Canada they provide a huge range of day trading markets, not just forex, and offer competitive fees on a cutting-edge platform. The brand also provides a suite of additional tools, from performance analytics and SMART Signals to advanced charts and strategy builders.
Pros
- Respected and trusted broker overseen by tier-one regulators including the US SEC
- Industry-leading pricing on popular forex assets starting from 0.0 pips
- Low minimum deposit of $100
Cons
- Investment offering varies between countries
- No copy trading platform
- $15 monthly inactivity fee
#2 - Interactive Brokers
Trade 85 major, minor and exotic forex pairs via CFDs on IB's FXTrader platform with tight spreads and low commissions, or trade forex on the spot market. They offer more FX assets than almost any competitor.
"Experienced day traders seeking a regulated broker with sophisticated trading software and very low fees should look at IB. Their range of stocks also can't be beaten."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: Commission (.20 pts x trade value)
- EURUSD Spread: Commission (.20 pts x trade value)
- EURGBP Spread: Commission (.20 pts x trade value)
- Total Assets: 70+
- Leverage: 1:50
- Platforms: AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
About Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a leading global brokerage that provides access to a comprehensive offering of stocks as well as forex, futures, metals, bonds and cryptos. The firm has over 40 years experience in the online trading industry and is heavily regulated by SEC, FCA, IIROC, and SFC. Day traders can use the proprietary Trader Workstation and can access powerful tools and data feeds as well as comprehensive educational resources.
Pros
- You have a reliable real-time market data feed, that rarely goes offline
- Low commissions and tight spreads
- Gives day traders unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries
Cons
- The TWS platform falls short in terms of technical charting
- Mediocre customer support
- Accessing products like CFDs is not straightforward compared to competitors
#3 - NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The trading software also offers unique features tailored to forex trading, including specific order and market windows.
"NinjaTrader is well-positioned to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features with custom indicators. "
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.6
- EURUSD Spread: 1.3
- EURGBP Spread: 1.6
- Total Assets: 50+
- Leverage: 1:50
- Platforms: NinjaTrader Futures, eSignal
About NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is a US-headquartered and regulated brokerage that specializes in futures trading. There are three pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets, as well as ultra-low margins on popular contracts. The brand's award-winning charting software and trading platform also offers a high-degree of customization and superb technical analysis features.
Pros
- Easy account opening that takes a few minutes
- Low fees with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract
- Thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
Cons
- Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
- Premium platform tools come with an extra charge
- Withdrawal fee on some funding methods
#4 - OANDA US
OANDA offers 68 forex pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker's in-house platform also offers impressive execution speeds and a suite of advanced charting and analysis tools.
"OANDA is an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 3.4
- EURUSD Spread: 1.6
- EURGBP Spread: 1.7
- Total Assets: 65+
- Leverage: 1:50
- Platforms: MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
About OANDA US
OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
Pros
- API facilitates access to 25 years of historical data and rates from 200+ currencies
- Reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators
- Wide selection of instruments including 68 forex pairs
Cons
- Customer support not available on the weekend
#5 - Webull
Webull offers a modest collection of 17 currencies, including majors like EUR/USD. Forex can be traded on the feature-rich investing app with real-time quotes and low spreads.
"Webull is best for traders looking to buy and sell stocks on a user-friendly platform with zero commissions. The intuitive app also makes this broker great for mobile investors."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.4
- EURUSD Spread: 0.2
- EURGBP Spread: 0.4
- Total Assets: 15+
- Leverage: 1:4
- Platforms: Desktop App, Web Terminal
About Webull
Webull is a US-regulated trading app that offers stocks, options, forex, cryptos, ETFs, fractional shares and more. The firm is authorized by the SEC and FINRA with a strong trust rating. Low fees, no minimum investment and generous welcome bonuses have made the discount broker popular with online investors.
Pros
- Easy-to-use investment platform and mobile app
- Zero commissions or inactivity fees
- Fractional shares available
Cons
- Sometimes sudden changes in trading conditions
- High deposit and withdrawal wire fees for non-US residents
- Narrow range of payment methods
Chart
The Hong Kong Dollar
Hong Kong is one of the most attractive free-market economies for foreign investment. Its stock market is the 6th largest and its exchange fund has become one of the world’s biggest with reserves totalling 442 billion USD at the end of 2020. This is all rather impressive given the size of the island state.
Hong Kong is also widely considered a gateway into the Chinese mainland and despite the nation’s best efforts, its fortunes are becoming increasingly tied to the Asian superpower. As a result, any geopolitical events tied to China can impact the volatility of the USD/HKD.
USD/HKD History
In 1983, the Hong Kong dollar was pegged to the US dollar. After months of unease, the HKD hit an all-time low of 9.6 HKD per USD. As a result, the nation abandoned the floating exchange rate and pegged the HKD to the USD in an attempt to stabilise the currency.
Today, the USD/HKD pair typically trades between narrow limits, 7.75 and 7.85, as fixed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). The fixed system self-corrects to maintain the stability of the HKD exchange rate.
Over its history, the pair has seen tumultuous times and maintaining the peg has not been easy. The US’ low-interest rates have caused problems for the HKMA, which has been forced to match them. As a result, property prices and the Hong Kong exchange rate have increased dramatically in recent years.
Influences On USD/HKD Movement
The USD/HKD is special in that many of the economic factors that influence movement in most currency pairs have a limited effect on the USD/HKD. Labour market conditions plus interest and inflation rates all have a muted effect on the pair given that it operates between a fixed, pre-determined range. As a result, many speculative investors are put off and generating profit requires skill and patience.
Fortunately, some factors still influence the quoted price of the HKD/USD:
- Economic growth – The strength of an economy is often reflected in the value of its currency. When the Hong Kong economy is strong, HKD will rise against the USD. Conversely, a weakened Hong Kong economy will see the HKD fall against the USD.
- China – Hong Kong is closely linked with China which means that changes in the value of the Chinese yuan can heavily influence the value of the USD/HKD. This was seen during the Asian financial crisis when the HKD rose towards its upper limit several times. Usually, the currencies move in the same direction.
- Political stability – Political turmoil and major events can have huge implications on the value of a currency. Generally speaking, stability is likely to attract foreign investment and increased investment will lead to an appreciation in the currency’s quoted price.
- Market sentiment – If the value of the USD is expected to fall, there will be less demand as investors will typically need more of it to bank profit. A drop in value can mean more expensive exports and reduced competitiveness in global markets. Hong Kong relies on both imports and exports, so any change is felt heavily.
Pros Of Trading USD/HKD
- The Chinese economy – Hong Kong’s close ties with China means that for many, the HKD represents an accessible way to engage in the Chinese economy. China takes in more than half of Hong Kong’s exports and currently stands as the second-largest global economy. China’s position on the world stage is a real draw for many forex traders.
- Risk/reward ratio – Given the pegging of the USD/HKD pair, the risk/reward ratio is favourable. The assurance of a bottom limit means that traders can operate within relatively safe parameters. This does mean, however, that generating large profits can prove challenging.
- Liquidity – The forex market generally promises a highly liquid environment with low bid-ask spreads. This makes FX trading popular over assets, such as stocks and cryptos.
- Costs – Transaction costs are usually incorporated into the spread and pips in forex markets, meaning traders typically don’t have to factor in additional commissions.
Cons Of Trading USD/HKD
As with any forex pair, trading USD/HKD does come with risks:
- Re-pegging – If HKD was to be re-pegged to the USD or even the CNY, it would have drastic implications for investments. Traders should ensure they are up to date with the latest financial news and conversion forecasts. Risk and money management strategies should also be implemented.
- Leverage – Leveraged trading is popular in the forex market but it does carry increased risk. Margin trading should only be used by traders comfortable with greater exposure.
- Political intervention – Political unrest, as seen in recent riots in Hong Kong, can have major implications on the pair’s valuation. Keep an eye on announcements from the Chinese government to stay ahead of trends.
USD Vs HKD Strategy Options
When it comes to USD/HKD strategy, different tactics work for different people. Capital requirements, timescales and risk tolerance will all play a role. Whether you choose to use exchange rate historical data and monthly averages or live charts and forward rates, different tools work for different traders.
Trading News
For those less interested in trading using USD/HKD historical exchange rates, live charts, graphs and forecasts, financial news is a great source of information to help inform investment decisions. Economic reports on the latest inflation and interest rates, GDP and consumer sentiment can all influence movement. Traders should stay abreast of updates to react quickly. The first movers stand the best chance of asserting an edge.
Oanda, Reuters, Yahoo Finance, DailyFX, online converters, TradingView and MarketWatch are just a handful of the resources available to traders. They provide live forex updates in addition to forecasts, daily USD/HKD buy and sell swap rates, plus commentary.
Carry Trading
Carry trading is a popular strategy that enables investors to capitalise on low interest rates. Traders borrow more in currencies with lower interest rates and invest in high-yielding markets. The demand creates inflows of capital which strengthens a currency.
The recent widening of the gap between Hong Kong and US interest rates has seen a surge in investors opening new carry trade positions. The relatively low-interest rates of the HKD means that some investors will look to borrow against the USD and invest in the HKD.
USD/HKD Forecasts
There is speculation that the HKD will be re-pegged amid concerns that the peg may be limiting growth in Hong Kong. Adjustments to the peg range or a peg break would allow for greater movement. There is also talk that the Hong Kong dollar could be pegged to the Chinese yuan in the future. However, the possibility of a slowdown in Chinese economic growth may halt that move for now.
There is also some discussion about the long-term prosperity of the Hong Kong dollar. Some experts argue that with the increasing Chinese influence over the state, the outlook is looking bleak for the HKD, which may become redundant.
Final Word On Trading USD/HKD
The narrow range of the USD/HKD cross currency pair means that it can be difficult to generate profit and traditional strategies don’t always yield the same results. For many, the pair’s potential primarily lies in business transactions and swaps. For those that do wish to trade the pair, it presents an opportunity to gain access to the relatively closed-off Chinese economy.
FAQ
What is the USD to HKD exchange rate history?
The pair has seen a tumultuous history which has led to fluctuations in the quoted price of both the US and Hong Kong dollar. The currency peg has stabilised much of this but with speculation over the adoption of a new peg, who knows what the future holds.
What is the USD to HKD dollar conversion?
The current exchange rate is displayed on a live price chart. This shows how many Hong Kong dollars are needed to buy 1 US dollar. This rate will fluctuate within the fixed limits established by the HKMA.
What influence does the BoC have over the USD/HKD?
The integration of Hong Kong’s economy with China means that the Bank of China exerts influence over the position of the HKD. Anticipating announcements from the BoC can help inform investment decisions.
What are the best HKD to USD forex converters?
There are many free, currency converters available online. For more information on USD/HKD rates, ETFs and futures, try Oanda.
What is the USD and HKD peg history?
In 1983, the Hong Kong dollar was pegged against the US dollar in an attempt to stabilise the currency. Today, it continues to operate between the established fixed limits. With that said, there is talk that the peg may be removed or amended in the future.