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Swap (Rollover / Overnight Fee)

Swap is the interest credited or charged for holding a forex position overnight, based on the rate difference between the two currencies.

Quick answer

Swap is the daily interest paid or received for holding a forex position overnight, based on the rate gap between the pair's currencies. Wednesday carries a triple charge for the weekend.

Definition

Swap, also called rollover, is the interest adjustment applied to a forex position held overnight, derived from the interest rate difference between the two currencies in the pair. If the currency you bought pays more interest than the one you sold, you receive swap; if less, you pay it. Swap is applied per day at rollover (5pm New York), with a triple charge on Wednesday to cover the weekend. Long-term holders feel swap more than intraday traders.

How It Works

  • Calculated from the interest rate differential plus the broker's margin
  • Applied at daily rollover, around 5pm New York
  • Triple swap on Wednesday covers Saturday and Sunday

Trading Tips

1

Check swap rates before holding trades for weeks - they can outweigh the price move

2

Positive carry pairs pay you to hold; negative carry pairs charge you

3

Some brokers offer swap-free (Islamic) accounts with conditions

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