The Hustler's Digest StaffBefore jumping into the exciting world of forex trading, there is quite a bit of terminology and forex-related concepts you will need to come to terms with. PIP is one of them. Learn more about PIP via this guide.
Traders use pips to measure price movements in currencies. Determining the number of pips in a certain price movement is a straightforward process, although it depends on the forex pair being traded.
What is a PIP in Forex?
“Percentage in point” or “price interest point” is what PIP stands for. According to the forex market convention, a PIP is the minor price change that an exchange rate can make. The PIP change is the last (fourth) decimal point in most currency pairs priced to four decimal places. As a result, a PIP equals 1/100 of a percent or one basis point.
The lowest possible move in the USD/CAD currency pair, for example, is $0.0001, or one basis point.
How PIPs work?
The term “PIP” refers to a fundamental notion in foreign exchange (forex). Bid and ask for accurate quotations to four decimal places are used to disseminate exchange quotes in forex pairs. To put it another way, Forex traders buy and sell a currency whose value is expressed about another currency.
A PIP is the amount of change in a currency pair’s exchange rate measured using the fourth decimal place (in JPY pairs, it is calculated using the 2nd decimal).
It’s vital to remember that PIPs don’t represent actual cash value; the PIP value is determined by the size of the trade’s position.
Example of a PIP using a central currency pair
A PIP change from 1.1080 to 1.1081 in the EUR/USD currency pair is a one PIP rise.
PIPs are a unit of measurement for exchange rate movement. The lowest change for most currency pairs is one PIP because most currency pairs are quoted to a maximum of four decimal places. The value of a PIP can be estimated by dividing the exchange rate by 1/10,000 or 0.0001.
A trader who wants to buy the USD/CAD pair, for example, would buy US dollars and sell Canadian dollars at the same time. A trader who wishes to sell US dollars would sell the USD/CAD pair while simultaneously buying Canadian dollars. The spread between the bid and ask security prices is commonly referred to as “PIPs” by traders.
Traders frequently use the term “PIPs” to refer to the difference between the bid and ask prices of a currency pair and the amount of profit or loss that can be achieved from a trade.
Japanese yen (JPY) pairs are quoted with two decimal places, which is unusual. The value of a PIP is 1/100 divided by the exchange rate for currency pairs like EUR/JPY and USD/JPY. When the EUR/JPY is quoted at 132.62, one PIP is 1/100 132.62 = 0.0000754.
Difference between a PIP, a tick, and a point
“What is the difference between a point, a PIP, and a tick?” or “What is the difference between a point and a tick?” are common inquiries among rookie traders. I’ll explain the distinctions between all three, so you can better understand this often-confusing aspect of trading the markets.
A point
A point is the most general term people use to describe their wins and losses, and it’s frequently used to describe trading on a spread betting account like IG index or Gekko Global Markets. The smallest decimal change on the left side of the decimal place is a point. For example, if Apple (AAPL) traded from $700.00 to $705.00, it would be considered a 5 point move.
If we were trading the FTSE 100 and the price changed from 6,330.00 to 6,337.00, the FTSE would have moved 7 points.
A point is commonly referred to as the amount a spread betting business pays on what they term 1 point if a trader utilizes a spread betting account. For example, if you trade EURUSD on IG Index, you will be rewarded 1 point on the fourth decimal. The Euro against the Dollar (EURUSD) is now trading at 1.32337 at writing. IG Index quotes the price as 13233.7; as you can see, they have relocated the decimal point, but a point is still the smallest number on the left side of the decimal in their platform.
So keep in mind that a point is the smallest change on the decimal’s left side.
A tick
A tick is the slightest conceivable movement in any market. However, it is most commonly used to refer to the futures market. Traders use the term ticks to describe markets that trade in increments of less than one point. The e-mini (ES) is an example; the e-mini trades in increments of 0.25, implying that the e-mini trades at four ticks each point.
If a trader claimed, “This morning I made 56 ticks on the e-mini,” he meant he made 14 points. For example, if the e-mini traded at 1505.00 and changed to 1505.25 in a single tick, it is one tick.
A PIP
PIPs are similar to ticks, except that they are used to denote the smallest price shift in the Forex market. The currency markets frequently trade in decimals, such as the EURUSD, which trades with five decimals as a single PIP/tick (0.00001).
A point is usually hundreds or thousands of PIPs on the Forex market.
To be clear, points denote the smallest price change on the left side of the decimal, while ticks/PIPs denote the smallest conceivable change amount in a market. The stock market often trades in points. Therefore traders don’t use PIPs or ticks to describe the movement; instead, they use a dollar figure.
How to claim PIP?
There are three stages to claiming PIP:
- Fill out the PIP1 form with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which they can complete for you over the phone.
- Fill out the ‘How your handicap affects you’ form; you can receive a paper form in the mail or an email link to an online form.
- Attend a medical examination.
From the time you contact the DWP until you receive your first payment, it might take up to 6 months. If the DWP decides you are eligible for PIP, they will give you the amount you should have received from the start of your claim.
PIP cannot be backdated, so you will not be compensated for the time spent before filing your claim.
Contacting the DWP
It is preferable to begin your claim by calling the DWP rather than writing to them. If they conclude you are eligible for PIP, they will pay you the amount you should have received as you phoned.
When you phone the DWP, you’ll need the following information:
- your full name, address, and phone number
- your National Insurance number
- your bank or building society account details
- contact details of your GP or other health professionals you deal with
- the dates and details of any stay in hospital or residential care
- your nationality or immigration status
- if you’ve been abroad for more than four weeks at a time in the last three years (you’ll need the dates and details)
Personal Independence Payment claim line
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Relay UK – if you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 917 2222
You can use Relay UK with an app or a text phone. There’s no extra charge to use it. Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.
Video relay – if you use British Sign Language (BSL).
You can find out how to use video relay on YouTube.
Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines. The call should take roughly 20 minutes to conclude. If you’d rather have someone else call for you, that’s great, but you must be present to permit them to speak on your behalf.
The DWP will ask if you want the ‘How your disability affects you’ form mailed or emailed to you.
The DWP will also inquire about any mental health issues, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues you may have. These questions are asked to see if you require more assistance or support with your claim.
If you want to apply by post
It’s preferable to apply over the phone, but you can request a PIP1 form in writing from the DWP if that isn’t possible. PIP New Claims is the address to write to. You must explain why you (or someone else) cannot complete the PIP1 form over the phone.
Payment for Individual Independence Wolverhampton WV99 1AH New Claims Post Handling Site B.
Fill out the PIP1 form as soon as you receive it and submit it to the address listed on the form. You must return it to the DWP within one month of receiving your letter – which could be a few days before receiving the document.
If the DWP decides you are eligible for PIP, they will pay you the amount you got from the date they received the PIP1 form.
What is a PIP benefit?
If you require additional assistance due to an illness, disability, or mental health condition, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). You can file a PIP claim regardless of whether or not you receive any assistance.
Check the main eligibility rules
To qualify for PIP, you must be unable to perform daily duties or get around due to a physical or mental condition. You must have found these things difficult for the past three months and expect them to be difficult for the next nine months.
Unless you or a close family member is in the military forces, you must live in England, Wales, or Scotland when you apply. To qualify for PIP, you must be at least 16 years old.
Your illness, disability, or mental health condition
PIP is not based on your medical condition or drug regimen. It is determined by the level of assistance you require due to how your condition affects you.
You’ll be evaluated based on how much assistance you require with specific activities. It’s difficult to say whether the level of aid you require will qualify you for PIP. However, if you receive or need assistance with any of the following as a result of your condition, you should apply:
- preparing and cooking food
- eating and drinking
- managing your treatments
- washing and bathing
- managing toilet needs or incontinence
- dressing and undressing
- communicating with other people
- reading and understanding written information
- mixing with others
- making decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around
The help you get may be from a person, an aid (such as a walking stick or guide dog), or an adaptation to your home or car.
How much PIP can you get?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) determines how much PIP you are entitled to and for how long. Because the DWP bases the amount you get on your application and the length of your award on the likelihood of your condition changing, it’s impossible to say precisely what you’ll get before you apply.
PIP rates
PIP comprises two elements, referred to as ‘components.’
The ‘daily life component’ is when you need a little additional help with day-to-day tasks. This can involve cooking, washing, getting dressed, and conversing with others.
The ‘mobility component’ is when you need a little additional assistance getting around. This can include migrating, arranging a trip, and pursuing a path.
An average or increased rate can be applied to each component. Learn how the DWP determines the PIP tariff you are eligible for.
| Component | Weekly rate |
| Daily living – standard rate | £60.00 |
| Daily living – enhanced rate | £89.60 |
| Mobility – standard rate | £23.70 |
| Mobility – enhanced rate | £62.55 |
You won’t be charged tax on the PIP you get. The Benefit Cap will not apply to you or any dependents who live with you if you get PIP. You can find out what other funds and assistance PIP entitles you to.
If you’ve reached state pension age
There are different rules about how much PIP you can get. Check the rules about getting PIP after state pension age.
If you have a terminal illness
The daily living component’s rate will be automatically increased. The level of mobility assistance you require will determine whether you receive the mobility component and at what rate.
How long did you get PIP for?
If either, the DWP will issue you PIP with no end date since they believe your condition will never improve.
You’ve attained State Pension age – GOV.UK allows you to check your State Pension age.
This is referred to as an ‘indefinite prize.’ The DWP will typically evaluate your indefinite award every ten years if you have one.
If you don’t obtain an indefinite award, you’ll get PIP for a set period — the length of time will be specified in your decision letter. The compensation will be for three years if you are terminally sick.
If you’ve been awarded PIP for more than two years, the DWP will usually review it before it expires. If they determine that you are still eligible for PIP, they will renew it.
However, if you were awarded PIP for two years or less, you challenged the DWP’s decision, and a tribunal awarded you PIP or increased the amount you get, the DWP will typically not revisit your award and let it expire.
If the DWP will review your PIP award
The DWP typically assesses your PIP award a year before it expires, although they have the option to do so at any time.
The DWP will write to you and ask you to complete a PIP review form similar to the PIP claim form but shorter. Find out how to complete the PIP review form.
If the DWP won’t review your award
If the DWP refuses to review your award and you want to continue receiving PIP after the time limit has passed, you’ll have to file a new claim.
Because the DWP can take a long time to process a new claim, it’s best to file your new claim before your old one expires. You have up to 6 months before your current one expires to do this. While you wait for a decision on your new claim, this will also help you avoid any interruptions in your PIP payments.
How often PIP is paid?
PIP is paid every four weeks unless you have a terminal disease, in which case it is paid weekly.
On GOV.UK, you can learn more about how benefits are paid and the different types of accounts into which they can be deposited. It explains what to do if you don’t have or can’t open a bank account.
Challenging the amount or length of your PIP
If you disagree with a decision, you can challenge the PIP decision.
How to calculate the value of a PIP?
Because each currency has its relative value, the value of a PIP must be calculated for each currency pair.
We’ll use a quote with four decimal places in the following example.
Exchange rates will be expressed as a ratio to make the computations easier to understand (for example, EUR/USD at 1.2500 will be written as “1 EUR / 1.2500 USD”).
1st example: 1.0200 USD/CAD
1 USD is equal to 1.0200 CAD (or 1 USD/1.0200 CAD).
(The change in the value of the counter currency) divided by the exchange rate ratio equals the PIP value (in terms of the base currency)
[.0001 CAD] multiplied by [1 USD/1.0200 CAD].
Alternatively, [(.0001 CAD) / (1.0200 CAD)] × 1 US dollar = 0.00009804 US dollar per traded unit
If we traded 10,000 units of USD/CAD in this example, a one-PIP movement in the exchange rate would result in a position value change of 0.98 USD (10,000 units x 0.00009804 USD/unit).
We say “roughly” because the value of each PIP changes as the exchange rate changes.
1 pip is equal to how many dollars
The value of one pip for the EUR/USDstandard contract is calculated as follows:
Pip Value = Contract Size x One Pip
P. Value = 100 000 x 0.0001
P. Value = $10
What is a spread in forex?
To begin, we must define what a forex spread is. Many new traders have questions about spreads, such as why some accounts have low spreads while others have big spreads.
Continue reading and take your time with this material; it is essential knowledge for all new forex traders who are getting started in the foreign exchange market.
The difference between a currency pair’s bid and ask price is known as a spread. It’s commonly expressed in PIPs, the smallest unit of price fluctuation in a currency pair.
Spreads are not unique to forex; many other markets, such as indices, commodities, and cryptocurrency, use this word to compute the bid and ask price difference.
How to calculate spread in forex?
A beginner trader must first comprehend the notion of bid and ask the price before looking at any spread.
The “bid” is the price at which the base currency can be sold, while the “ask” is the price at the base currency purchased. Inside the MetaTrader 4 trading interface, you can find the bid and ask prices.
The bottom line
Traders often use PIPs to reference gains or losses. A PIP measures the change in the exchange rate for a currency pair and is calculated using the last decimal point. Since most major currency pairs are priced to 4 decimal places, the smallest change is that of the last decimal point, equivalent to 1/100 of 1%, or one basis point. For a trader to say, “I made 40 PIPs on the trade,” means that the trader profited by 40 PIPs. The actual cash amount this represents depends on the PIP value.
