Trade Stock Indices

Introduction to MT4 Platform Interface

The following screen shot below indicates the main MT4 platform inter-face. As a beginner trader trying to learn how to execute orders in the online market, the main tool for trading the markets is the MT4 platform software. This MT4 platform software is the software which you will connect to your online broker with & execute trade positions & monitor your account balance from this MT4 platform.

The MT4 platform is provided for free through the various different broker web sites. This MT4 platform software resembles the illustrations explained below:

Install Stock MT4 Download - MetaQuotes Software

Main Areas of this MetaTrader 4 platform as is displayed and shown above are:

  1. MT4 Navigation Menus
  2. Tool-Bars
  3. MT4 Chart Window Panel
  4. MetaTrader 4 Navigator Window
  5. MT4 MarketWatch Window
  6. MT4 Terminal
  7. MT4 Connection Bars

For this MT4 guide we shall look at a brief introduction for each of the learn MT4 platform:

1. Navigation Menus

The MetaTrader 4 navigating menus are:

  1. File Menu
  2. View Menu
  3. Insert Menu
  4. Charts Menu
  5. Tools Menu
  6. Window Menu
  7. Help Menu

These are the main MetaTrader 4 navigation menus that can be used to navigate the MetaTrader 4 platform. As a beginner you as a stock indices trader can start by pressing any of these MT4 navigation menus in order to familiarize yourself with the various MetaTrader 4 buttons which are arranged as MT4 sub menus within these MT4 navigation menus.

The MetaTrader 4 navigating menus will be described and covered & explained in details & particulars in the next MetaTrader 4 guides about navigating menus.

2. ToolBars

The MT4 tool-bars are used to manipulate MT4 stock charts, either by placing MT4 indicators, MT4 line studies, change MT4 time-frames and load MT4 template from a listing of saved MetaTrader 4 templates.

These MetaTrader 4 toolbars will be discussed on other MT4 tutorials that will outline each MetaTrader 4 button on this MT4 toolbar & how to add & customize these MT4 tool bars.

3. Chart Window Panel

This MT4 stock chart window is the main area where MetaTrader 4 stock charts are portrayed and one can analyze the trend direction of a MT4 stock chart whether up or down, place MT4 stock chart technical indicators for technical analysis & even place and open trade orders from these MT4 stock charts.

4. Navigator

MetaTrader 4 Navigator will contain data about MetaTrader 4 accounts, whether demo or real, this MT4 panel window will also have a list of all MT4 indicators as well as MT4 Expert Advisors/EAs & scripts.

One can choose and select which MetaTrader 4 stock account to login by expanding the Accounts menu, select a MT4 indicator by expanding the MT4 indicator menu or select an MT4 Expert Advisor by expanding the EA menu.

5. MarketWatch

MetaTrader 4 MarketWatch panel is used to show streaming price quotes for MetaTrader 4 indices instruments. This can listing as many symbols provided by your MT4 broker or few selected by a stock indices trader. To conserve internet band width, right-click inside the MT4 marketwatch window & choose "Hide All", so as to hide the MT4 symbols that you as a trader aren't transacting on this MT4 software and save on internet band width.

6. Terminal

This is MetaTrader 4 panel that is like the bank account area for your MetaTrader 4 trades, on this MetaTrader 4 panel window you as a Stock Index trader can view your account balance, profit & losses statement, equity, margin used & also generate a copy of all your MT4 trade transactions history.

This MT4 panel will also list all open trades & calculate all the profit & loss in realtime as the charts move upwards/downwards.

7. Connectivity Bar

MT4 connection bars - Red bars are for no connectivity, green bars show that there's connection to the servers and MetaTrader 4 trading orders can be placed. These MetaTrader 4 connection status bars should always be in green when one is signed in to their MT4 demo practice trade account or MetaTrader 4 real account.

The MetaTrader 4 platform main levels form the MT4 platform interface and will be the main levels to be explained in detail in next learn MT4 tutorials. For now it's best to download MetaTrader 4 platform and enlighten yourself with the MetaTrader 4 platform inter-face.

Why Software is Required for Opening Stock Index Trade Transactions with Brokers

Platform is software that is used to access the market & interpret & interpret these price movements using charts & stock technical analysis tools. There are various reasons why one requires to use a good platform. A good indices software can determine if a as a stock index trader you make profit or not.

So why does a trader need a good Stock Software:

To connect to the Online Broker Server:

To open a trade order a trader needs to use a software platform platform that will connect to the trading servers of their broker and this will allow them to open and close trade orders. Good softwares will connect with ease to the brokers' servers & allow stocks traders to place orders at any time from their desktop computer PC.

To analyze the price charts using technical analysis tools

To open a buy or sell indices order a trader needs to first interpret the direction of indices using charts. This is why all good platforms provide indices trade tools such as price charts, indicators and various different time frames from which one can analyze and interpret price moves using the time frame of their choice.

How to Analyze charts & Stock Indices using Technical Analysis - Introduction to MT4 Interface

From the above software interface, summary of all data required by a trader is provided on this MT4 platform inter-face

  • Connection - connection to the broker servers
  • Charts - stock price graphs which display the prices
  • Tool-Bars - tool bars to add tools & analysis indicators on charts
  • Market Watch - for displaying available financial instruments on the MT4
  • Data window - provides MetaTrader 4 account data and other indicator data
  • Exchange rates - shows current price on a trading chart
  • Menu bar - Shows all menu items on MT4 software

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