Trading Managers

GCI has devoted considerable dealing and technological resources to accommodating fund managers and trading managers.

GCI's online trading software is designed to facilitate trading and managing multiple accounts from a single login window. Trading managers can trade each sub-account separately, or pre-configure the number of lots that each account will be allocated from a block trade (click here for detailed instructions). The back office is fully automated for each sub-account and can be viewed individually online by each of the trading manager's clients.

Furthermore, GCI's dealing desk is also staffed by former chief dealers of major banks. We can accept orders via telephone or online 24 hours a day, and work orders or provide market insight that many funds are accustomed to receiving only from the world's top money center banks.

Please contact info@gcitrading.com for further information on trading with GCI.

Technical Support

New: Login to your GCI account with new, faster software. This will resolve any browser or Java related problems Download here!

The information listed below will allow you to resolve some common technical problems. If after reviewing the solutions below you are still encountering technical difficulties, please contact GCI at techsupport@gcitrading.com.

Problem: When attempting to login to the Trading Platform, the error message "No JDK 1.4 support for APPLET!!" is displayed.

Solution: GCI's trading system requires Java Runtime Environment ("JRE") in order to operate. If JRE is not already on your computer, it should download automatically when you attempt to access our login page, showing the following prompt:

Click "Install" and follow the on-screen prompts to download this software. If it does not install automatically, you can download and install in manually from www.gcitrading.com/jre.exe . Alternatively, you can login to your GCI account using PC-based software, which does not require JRE. This will resolve any browser or Java related problems. Download the PC-based software here

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Problem: Error message "Insufficient privileges for this operation" when login is attempted.

Solution: Either your 30-day Free demo account has expired, or you are logging into the wrong account type. Make sure you are logging into the proper CFD, Forex, or Mini Forex account (demo or Live version). If your demo account has expired, please register for a new one here.

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Problem: Error message "Wrong login name or password" is displayed when attempting login.

Solution: First, make sure you are logging into the appropriate "CFD Trading", "Forex Trading" or "Mini FX Trading" demo login, depending on which type of account you requested. All three Demo logins can be accessed from www.gcitrading.com/demologin.htm. Second, make sure you are typing your User Name and Password exactly as shown on the e-mail that you received, paying attention to which letters are upper case and which are lower case.

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Problem: Certain menu items (Charts, News, User Manual) do not display when selected from the Trading Platform.

Solution: Hold down the "Ctrl" key when clicking on these menu items. This will allow these pages to display through most "pop-up blocker" settings.

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Problem: Charts do not display properly.

Solution: Make sure you have downloaded Java 1.4. This should download automatically when you try to access the charts, but if it does not, you can download it here. Also, make sure you click on "Always" if prompted with whether or not to trust content from ActForex.

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Problem: Error message "Java.Lang.ClassNotFoundException:Hello.HelloApplet" when login is attempted.

Solution: You may have had a temporary loss of your internet connection to our servers, and the page displaying the error message is now cached. There are two solutions: 1) delete your temporary internet files (Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files, Delete all offline content), close all browsers, then re-open your browser window and try again. In addition, re-starting your computer will often fix this problem; or 2) Login using the new windows-based Software, which can be downloaded here. This software does not use Java and will not encounter any such errors.

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Problem: Java plugin cannot be downloaded, error message states that the "file is corrupt" / Download stalls and must be cancelled.

Solution: This can be caused by a large number of users accessing this file at once. The same plugin can be downloaded by accessing www.gcitrading.com/jre.exe. Choose "Run this program from its current location" and answer "Yes" and "Next" to all of the prompts. You can also save this file to disk if you wish and run it from that location (by double clicking on it or using "Start", "Run", "Browse").

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Problem: Browser window closes when login or software download is attempted.

Solution: Click on your "Start" button and select "Windows Update" (this will take you to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) and then "Product Updates". Download any "Critical Updates" from the Microsoft web page. Also make sure you are using Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, which can be downloaded for free from here.

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Problem: The system needs to work through a corporate Firewall.

Solution: Most corporations use firewalls, so if you are using our system from a corporate location and it is not functioning (e.g., you cannot access the relevant pages), your network administrator will need to open the following ports:

To access Standard and Mini, Demo or Live trading: port 8100 must be opened
To access Live Back office reports: ports 9101 must be opened
To access Demo Back office reports: ports 8802 and 9000 must be opened
To access GCI Live charts: port 8805 must be opened
To access Demo Registration: port 9001 must be opened

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Problem: Once the software is installed and login has been achieved, client experiences frequent connection errors or "freezing" of the trading window.

Solution: Click on your "Start" button and select "Settings" and then "Control Panel". Double click on "Add/Remove programs". Remove any Java 1.2 or 1.3 plugins, which will be listed alphabetically. Re-install the proper plugin from www.gcitrading.com/jre.exe.

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Additional Tips:

1.

Downloading critical windows updates can resolve many problems, both with the GCI system and with Windows in general. Click on your "Start" button and select "Windows Update" (this will take you to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) and then "Product Updates". Download any "Critical Updates" from the Microsoft web page.
2.

If you are using or have used other trading or banking software that is Java based, you may have an outdated Java plugin that is conflicting with the GCI software. Click on your "Start" button and select "Settings" and then "Control Panel". Double click on "Add/Remove programs". Remove any Java 1.2 or 1.3 plugins, which will be listed alphabetically. Re-install the updated Java plugin from www.gcitrading.com/jre.exe.
3.

AOL users: AOL users can effectively use the GCI trading platform as follows: After downloading the Java runtime environment, we recommend that you (1) establish your connection to the internet with AOL, but then (2) login to the GCI platform using our PC-based program ("Trader JVA") which can be downloaded from www.gcitrading.com/livedownload.htm and is accessed from your desktop.
4.

MAC OS users: Mac Users will need to purchase and install Windows emulation software in order to use the GCI trading system. Please see http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/system_disk_utilities/virtualpc.html - purchase price is approximately $240.00. Then just open a live account with GCI, trade at least 20 lots round turn (or 200 mini lots), and we will credit the purchase price of the software to your trading account. You'll always have the windows emulation software on your Mac, which you can use to run other windows based applications if desired.


Still cannot get the Java Trading Software downloaded or running properly?

Try the our newest non-Java trading software (Windows only, will not work on Mac). Java runtime environment is not required to use this software: Download here

GCI In the Press

GCI is recognized globally as one of the premier foreign exchange market makers and providers of industry research and analysis. GCI's analysis appears regularly on Multex.com and Reuters, and is subscribed to by major institutions including J.P. Morgan, G.E. Capital, UBS AG, Lazard Asset Management, and Goldman Sachs.

· Canadian Economic Press, February 18, 2008
· Treasury Management, April 2007
· Treasury Management, September 2006
· Philippine STAR, September 2004
· FX Week, March 2003
· Central Banking JournalNovember 2002
· Financial Times, March 22, 2002
· Financial Times, March 15, 2001
· Financial Times, December 14, 2000
· Financial Times, November 7, 2000
· Financial Times, May 5, 2000

To read more GCI press appearances and market commentaries, please visit our archive

Overview of GCI Financial

GCI Financial Ltd ("GCI") is a regulated securities and commodities trading firm, specializing in online Foreign Exchange ("Forex") brokerage. In addition to Forex, GCI is a primary market maker in Contracts for Difference ("CFDs") on shares, indices and futures, and offers one of the fastest growing online CFD trading services. GCI has over 10,000 clients worldwide, including individual traders, institutions, and money managers. GCI provides an advanced, secure, and comprehensive online trading system. Client funds are insured and held in a separate customer account. In addition, GCI Financial Ltd maintains Net Capital in excess of minimum regulatory requirements.
Recommend by Top Industry Participants

GCI is recommended by top industry participants and has had its market analysis featured in leading publications, including the Financial Times. Click here for a partial list of company websites that recommend GCI Financial Ltd.

GCI's analysis also appears regularly on Multex.com and Reuters, and is subscribed to by major institutions including J.P. Morgan, HSBC Asset Management, and Goldman Sachs. Click here for a partial list of articles and publications featuring GCI.
Regulation

GCI Financial Ltd is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) for trading in financial and commodity-based derivatives and other securities, including foreign exchange. The IFSC's strict requirements include capital adequacy, reporting and record keeping, and proper disclosure and conduct with clients.

:: Introduction to Foreign Exchange Markets

Being the main force driving the global economic market, currency is no doubt an essential element for a country. However, in order for all the countries with different currencies to trade with one another, a system of exchange rate between their currencies is needed; this system, is formally known as foreign exchange or currency exchange.

In the early days, the system of currency exchange is supported solely by the gold amount held in the vault of a country. However, this system is no longer appropriate now due to inflation and hence, the value of one’s currency nowadays is determined through the market forces alone. In order to determine the value of a currency’s exchange rate, two main types of system is used which is floating currency and pegged currency.

For floating exchange rate, its value is determined by the supply and demand of the global market where the supply and demand is bound by all these factors such as foreign investment, inflation and ratios of import and export. Normally, this system is adopted by most of the advance countries like for example UK, US and Canada. All of these countries have a similarity where their market is well developed and stable in economic terms. These countries choose to practice this system due to the reason where floating exchange rate is proven to be much more efficient compared to the pegged exchange rate. The reason behind this is because for floating exchange rate, the market itself will re-adjust the exchange rate real-time in order to portray the actual inflation and other economic forces. However, every system has its own flaw and so does the floating exchange rate system. For instance, if a country suffers from economic instability due to various reasons such as political issues, a floating exchange rate system will certainly discourage investment due to the high risk of suffering from inflationary disaster or sudden slump in exchange rate.

Another form of exchange rate is known as pegged exchange rate. This is a system where the value of the exchange rate is fixed by the government of a country and not the supply and demand of the market. This system is called pegged exchange rate because the value of a country’s currency is fixed to another country’s currency. As a result, the value of the pegged currency will not fluctuate unlike the floating currency. The working principle behind this system is slightly complicated where the government of a country will fixed the exchange rate of their currency and when there is a demand for a certain currency resulting a rise in the exchange rate, the government will have to release enough of that currency into the market in order to meet that demand. However, there is a fatal flaw in this system where if the pegged exchange rate is not controlled properly, panics may arise within the country and as a result of that, people will be rushing to exchange their money into a more stable currency. When that happens, the sudden overflow of that country’s currency into the market will decrease the value of their exchange rate and in the end, their currency will be worthless. Due to this reason, only those under-developed or developing countries will practice this method as a form to control the inflation rate.

However, the truth is, most of the countries do not fully practice the floating exchange rate or the pegged exchange rate method in reality. Instead, they use a hybrid system known as floating peg. Floating peg is the combination of the two main systems where one country will normally fixed their exchange rate to the US Dollars and after that, they will constantly review their peg rate in order to stay in line with the actual market value.

The Foreign exchange market, or commonly known as FOREX, is the largest and most prolific financial market because each day, more than 1 trillion worth of currency exchange takes place between investors, speculators and countries. From this, we can deduce that the actual mechanism behind the world of foreign exchange is far more complicated than what we may already know, and that, the information mentioned earlier is just the tip of an iceberg.

:: Forex Margin Trading

Comparing to other investment, the Foreign Exchange margin trading is one of the fairest and the most attractive investment method.

The Foreign Exchange margin trading meaning the traders borrow loan from bank, finance organization or broker house to carry on the foreign currency trading. Generally, the financing proportion is above 20 times, which means the Forex traders’ fund may enlarge to 20 times to carry on the trading. The bigger the financing proportion, means the Forex traders just need to pay very less fund, for example, the financing proportion provided by the financial organization is 400 times, namely the lowest margin request is 0.25%, the traders just need to pay 25 US dollars, then he or she could trade as high as 10,000 US dollars, fully using the contra method to make big profit by only paying a very less price.

Besides the fund enlargement, another attraction of the Forex margin trading method is that it can be traded in both ways, you can make profit by buying the currency when the currency rise (makes many), or to sell a currency when the currency is dropping to make profit (short-selling), thus does not need to be restricted by the restriction so-called bear market is unable to make money.
Making Profit in the Foreign Exchange Market
The currency fluctuate continuously due to reasons such as political, economical reasons, sometimes the changes could be extremely great, therefore, the Forex traders also can have the opportunity in among which makes a profit. For example, the Japanese Yen daily fluctuation is probably between 0.7% to 1.5%, Forex traders may make profit through buying and selling. All trading could be completed in a short time, the trading strategy could be carry up according to the market conditions, it is extremely flexible, even if the direction looks wrong, the lost could be stop immediately, the lost could reduce but profit potential is still great. Therefore, the Foreign Exchange margin trading is the most flexible and the most reliable investment method.
Foreign Exchange Margin Trading elementary knowledge
Currency name Commonly used currency code

:: The Foreign Exchange Rate

In the international market, the Foreign Exchange rate is demonstrated by five numerals, for example:

EUR/USD 1.2653
USD/JPY 107.65
GBP/JPY 195.03

The Exchange Rate Change

The exchange rate smallest change for the final figure (is 1 pip), for example:

The EUR/USD smallest change is 0.0001
USD/JPY smallest change is 0.01

Quoted Price

All quoted prices can be divided into direct quoted price and the indirect quoted price, for example:

The direct quoted price currency includes: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD ......
The indirect quoted price currency includes: USD/JPY, USD/CHF, USD/CAD ....

For example, the EUR/USD quoted price is 1.2653, which means each euro could convert to 1.2653 US dollars, while the USD/JPY quoted price is 107.65, which means that each US dollar could convert to 107.65 Japanese Yen.

The buying price and the selling price of the foreign currency is decided by the bank or the broker house, customer decides only the buying trend. For example, the EUR/USD quoted price general demonstration is 1.2652/57, which means the broker house is willing to buy Euro dollar at the price of 1.2652, and sell at the price of 1.2657. At this time, the price difference between the buyer and the seller (pip difference) is 5 pips, for foreign exchange trading, the smaller the point means the trading cost is lower and the chance of profit making is much larger.