Current XAUUSD snapshot
Course context: This lesson belongs to a practical beginner curriculum for Pakistan.
| Field | Current published value | Trading use |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | MT5, MT4, Exness Terminal | Use an MT5 trading account for MT5 |
| Contract size | 100 troy ounces per lot | Nominal ounces = lots × 100 |
| Minimum volume | 0.01 lot | One nominal ounce exposure |
| Pip size | 0.01 USD per ounce | 0.01 lot gives USD 0.01 per pip before costs |
| HMR | 1:200–1:1000 | Margin can rise around risk periods |
| Triple swap | Wednesday, subject to holiday changes | Check current swap before holding |
| Commission | Raw USD 3.50; Zero USD 5.50 per lot/side | Add entry and exit sides |
Add and verify the symbol
- Log in to MT5 with the matching MT5 account and server.
- Open Market Watch → Symbols and enable the exact gold symbol/suffix.
- Open Specification and record contract size, volume step, swap and trading hours.
- Check the current bid/ask spread and margin in the trading calculator.
- Mark entry, invalidation and stop distance before opening the order ticket.
Cash-risk formula
Market loss before costs = stop distance in USD per ounce × 100 × lots. A USD 15 stop at 0.02 lot implies USD 30 of price risk. Add spread, both commission sides, swap if held and a slippage allowance. Reduce volume until the complete planned loss fits the written limit.
Order-ticket checklist
| Field | Required check | Failure prevented |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | Exact XAUUSD suffix/specification | Trading the wrong contract |
| Volume | Derived from complete cash risk | Oversizing |
| Type | Market or correctly placed pending order | Unintended immediate fill |
| Stop loss | Price and cash loss both verified | Unbounded planned risk |
| Take profit | Matches tested exit rule | Improvised reward target |
| Margin level | Stressed after order and HMR | Forced liquidation risk |
XAUUSD247 is a different instrument
XAUUSD247 is a seven-day CFD with Special Price Offset and fixed 0.5% margin (1:200). It is not available on Standard Cent and should not be substituted silently for standard XAUUSD. Build separate spread, gap, execution and holding tests for it.
Official references
Exness gold contract specifications · Trading calculator inputs · MT5 platform availability
Questions from a first-time learner
How much gold is one XAUUSD lot?
The current Exness contract size is 100 troy ounces per lot.
What does 0.01 lot represent?
One nominal ounce of CFD exposure; it does not deliver physical gold.
How should I choose lot size?
Divide the allowed cash loss, after reserving costs, by stop distance × 100.
Is XAUUSD247 the same as XAUUSD?
No. It has separate seven-day/SPO and fixed-margin conditions and needs its own test.