Currency Shares for Forex Exposure

What is the general consensus about Currency Shares for foreign exchange exposure?

I don't have a foreign exchange account (use Fidelity for stocks/options). I don't consider myself (nor do I intend to become) a forex trader.

If one wanted to buy the Euro or the Canadian Dollar, is there anything wrong with buying FXE or FXC?

 

Never heard of these.

Is there leverage available?

 

They are ETFs.

 

The charts are gappy as they do not open until 9:30est. FX is open 24/6.

 

So if then short-term trading is not the aim, would not an index ETF be a better long-term investment?

 

Currency ETFs are OK for swing trading or investing.
They have a slight lag in performance due to an "expense ratio".
If you buy EURUSD forex now you'll have to pay swap fees (not shown in chart) so in the end it's all about the same results as FXE.