Trade Stock Indices

Introduction to MT4 Platform Interface

The following screen shot below indicates the main MT4 platform interface. As a beginner 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 software. As a beginner you can start & begin 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.

Next MT4 guides cover navigation menus in detail. They explain each part step by step.

2. ToolBars

MT4 toolbars help control charts. Use them to add indicators, draw lines, switch time frames, or load saved templates.

These MetaTrader 4 toolbars will be shown in other MT4 guides that will explain each MetaTrader 4 button on this MT4 toolbar and how to add and change these MT4 tool bars.

3. Chart Panel

The MT4 stock chart window is where MetaTrader 4 displays stock charts, enabling users to analyze whether the trend direction is upward or downward, apply technical indicators for analysis, and execute trades directly through these charts.

4. Navigator

MT4 Navigator lists accounts, both demo and live. It also shows indicators, Expert Advisors, and scripts.

You can pick which MetaTrader 4 stock account to log into by opening the Accounts menu. You can also pick an MT4 indicator by opening the MT4 indicator menu, or an MT4 Expert Advisor by opening the EA menu.

5. MarketWatch

MetaTrader 4 MarketWatch panel is used to show streaming price quotes for MetaTrader 4 indices instruments. This can list 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 the MetaTrader 4 area where you can see all your money details, just like a bank account, for your MetaTrader 4 trades. In this MetaTrader 4 area, you can check your account money, see how much you've made or lost, view your stock, see the money you've used, and get a record of all your MT4 trades.

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 is 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 trading software. 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 one 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.

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 trading softwares 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 the information 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
  • MarketWatch - for showing the 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

Study More Guides & Topics:

Stock Index Broker