Market maker

large economic factors that influence the activity in the foreign currency market

A market maker is a firm who quotes both a buy and a sell price in a financial instrument or commodity, hoping to make a profit on the turn or the bid/offer spread.In foreign exchange trading, where most deals are conducted OTC, and are therefore completely virtual, the market maker sells to and buys from its clients. Hence, the client's loss is the company's profit and vice versa. Most foreign exchange trading firms are market makers and so are many banks, although not in all currency markets.
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Used in the context of general equities. One who maintains firm bid and offer prices in a given security by standing ready to buy or sell round lots  at publicly quoted prices. See: agent, dealer, specialist.