It is perfectly normal to see a small floating loss the moment you open a trade in MetaTrader 4/5 (MT4/5). This is a standard part of market mechanics and is usually caused by the following four factors:

1. The Bid-Ask Spread (Primary Reason)
Every financial instrument has two prices: the Bid (selling price) and the Ask (buying price).

How it works: You buy at the higher price and sell at the lower price.

Example: If a currency pair has a 2-pip spread, a new "Buy" order will immediately reflect a 2-pip loss because the platform calculates your exit value based on the current "Sell" price.

2. Commission Fees
Depending on your account type, some brokers charge a fixed commission per lot traded. This fee is often deducted from your trade's floating P/L immediately upon execution.

3. Market Slippage
In highly volatile markets (like during news releases), your order might be filled at a price slightly different from the one you requested.

If the price "slips" to a less favorable level during execution, your starting loss may appear larger than the standard spread.

4. Swap Rates (Overnight Financing)
While not instant, if you hold a position past the daily market close (typically 5 PM EST), a Swap fee will be applied to your account. This is the interest rate differential between the two currencies you are trading.

💡 Pro Tip
To minimize your initial floating loss, try trading Major Pairs (like EUR/USD) during high-liquidity sessions (London/New York), as these typically offer the tightest spreads.