There’s a time for sleeping, there’s a time for working. And there’s a time for forex trading too. The forex market is open around the clock, on all five days of the week as the Sun moves around the world, and banks open and close in various regions of the world. Although this is an advantage, it doesn’t mean that the same conditions and opportunities are available to traders at all times, as the day runs its course. It’s clear that the volume and volatility of the forex market will be very different when among major markets only Japan and Australia are open. To find the most active and profitable time period for trading is one of the main issues faced by forex traders, and we’ll take a look at it here.
It is in general agreed that the time period between 12 pm GMT and 3 pm GMT are the most active times for traders who seek to capitalize from the largest movements in the market. The New York markets open at around 12 GMT, and trading in London closes at 3 pm, so the time period in between sees the largest amount of liquidity reaching the markets. Although this is true, it is important to know that the opening and closing of the markets is a lot more gradual than what would be suggested by these hours. London and New York are two very important financial centers, but banks open and close all around the U.S. as the day passes, and the same is the case with the European market too.
The best time period for a trader is also dependent on the trading style and strategy. The previously mentioned period is good for day traders, scalpers, and others who use short term methods for profiting from short term fluctuations and events. Swing traders do better in a low volatility environment, so the time period after the close of the London market, at around 3 pm, could be the best time for swing trading. Conversely, if you’re a long time trader who concentrates on weekly, or monthly trends, trade timing will be of little significance to you.
This article is not intended as a complete guide to all the timing related issues in forex. With a careful and patient study, it could be possible to extend your understanding of this subject to devise many different strategies based on timing. Still, the points mentioned here can give you an idea of the issues involved while creating a forex strategy based on market times.
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Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds around 1.1750 after weak German and EU PMI data
EUR/USD maintains its range trade at around 1.1750 in European trading on Tuesday. Weaker-than-expected December PMI data from Germany and the Eurozone make it difficult for the Euro to find demand, while investors refrain from taking large USD positions ahead of key employment data.
GBP/USD remains below 1.3400 after mixed UK labor data
GBP/USD is trading around a flat line below 1.3400 in the European session on Tuesday. The UK ILO Unemployment Rate rose to 5.1% in the quarter to October, meeting expectations, while the pay growth cooled down sligthly in the same period, doing little to affect the Pound Sterling.
Japanese Yen seems poised to appreciate further; awaits BoJ decision on Friday
The Japanese Yen maintains its bid tone through the first half of the European session on Tuesday which, along with a bearish US Dollar, keeps the USD/JPY pair depressed below the 155.00 psychological mark. The growing acceptance that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates this week turns out to be a key factor behind the safe-haven JPY's outperformance.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds around 1.1750 after weak German and EU PMI data
EUR/USD maintains its range trade at around 1.1750 in European trading on Tuesday. Weaker-than-expected December PMI data from Germany and the Eurozone make it difficult for the Euro to find demand, while investors refrain from taking large USD positions ahead of key employment data.
GBP/USD remains below 1.3400 after mixed UK labor data
GBP/USD is trading around a flat line below 1.3400 in the European session on Tuesday. The UK ILO Unemployment Rate rose to 5.1% in the quarter to October, meeting expectations, while the pay growth cooled down sligthly in the same period, doing little to affect the Pound Sterling.
Gold retreats from seven week highs on profit-taking; all eyes on US NFP release
Gold price loses momentum below $4,300 during the early European trading hours on Tuesday, pressured by some profit-taking and weak long liquidation from the shorter-term futures traders. Furthermore, optimism around Ukraine peace talks could weigh on the safe-haven asset like Gold.
Sui Price Forecast: Sui slips below $1.50 as network demand and risk appetite wane
Sui remains under intense bearish pressure, extending losses by 1% at press time on Tuesday for the third straight day.
NFP preview: Complex data release will determine if Fed was right to cut rates
The long wait is over, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US will release nonfarm payrolls reports for both November and October at 1330 GMT on Tuesday. The overall NFP figure for October is expected to be -10k, however, it is expected to be influenced by a massive 130k drop in federal department workers.
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