Well, its not only FX/equity/futures …a any traders really. Don’t we love round numbers?

Here’s an article in the Wall Street Journal , from research conducted at Columbia University, that says to avoid round numbers in other areas of life too. Like negotiating to buy a car, or for salary:

In one experiment … 130 sets of people negotiate the price of a used car. When buyers suggested a round anchor, they ended up paying an average of $2,963 more than their initial offer. But buyers who suggested a precise number for a first offer paid only $2,256 more, on average, than that number in the end.

When it comes to negotiating salary, … The best strategy … is to start with a high (but not extreme) number that is also precise

Asking for a Raise? Avoid Round Numbers (The Wall Street Journal is often gated, so if you’re unable to access the article try a search of Google news using the headline)

Similar article, not gated: When it comes to salary negotiations, ask for a precise number