Direct answer
A “positive swap” in forex means that, when you hold a position overnight, the swap/rollover calculation results in a net credit to your account rather than a charge. Which forex pairs pay a positive swap is not one fixed global list: it depends on the broker’s swap-rate formula and the specific instrument settings, and it can also differ by trade direction (buying vs selling the same currency pair).
How it works (mechanics)
Forex positions are economically linked to interest rates. When you hold a leveraged forex trade past the daily rollover time, the position is “rolled” and the broker applies a swap/rollover adjustment that reflects, in simplified terms, the interest-rate differential between the two currencies in the pair, plus the broker’s own pricing adjustments.
A pair can show a positive swap for one direction and negative for the other. For example, if the interest-rate conditions and broker terms make the implied carry cost for the direction you hold favor the account holder, the rollover may be credited. In contrast, the opposite direction may produce a charge.
Because brokers can quote different swap rates and rollovers, the only independently verifiable way to know “what pairs pay positive swap” for your situation is to check the swap rates your broker publishes for each pair and for each side (buy/sell). An internal page like “what forex pairs have positive swap” is typically where this is summarized.
Relevant checks and limitations
Here are practical ways to verify the answer without assuming a universal list:
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Check both directions: Confirm whether “positive” appears for the buy side, the sell side, or both. Swap polarity can flip.
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Look at the actual swap rate table used by your account: Swap values can be instrument-specific and can differ across account types or contract specifications.
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Use the broker’s stated rollover convention: Swap is calculated based on the broker’s rollover time and method; that affects the overnight amount.
Limitations and uncertainty: Without your broker’s current swap-rate table, you cannot know which pairs pay positive swap “right now” for a particular account. Even historically positive pairs may change if interest rates move or if the broker updates its swap pricing. Also, positive swap is only the overnight component; it does not describe other costs or risks of holding a position (such as market price movement).
Common risks and verification points
Positive swap does not eliminate risk. The net credited amount is determined by the rollover rules and can change. Additionally, market exposure from currency price movements can outweigh any swap credit.
For accurate results, treat “positive swap pairs” as “pairs that are shown as positive in your broker’s published swap-rate details for your account,” rather than as an always-true, universal list.