Different hours of the day are characterized with different market behavior. This depends on the volume and also on the economic indicators that are released in every country.

Here are some better time spans to trade, in hours which see less surprises:

Times are GMT, during the winter in the northern hemisphere. For summer times, just subtract one hour.

  • 3:15 to 5:00 – Unless there is a rate decision in Australia, these hours are quiet. Traders in Tokyo are not as enthusiastic as at the beginning of the session, Australian data is already out and the occasional Chinese data news release is also behind. The only potential risk is a rate decision in Japan, but this usually comes at a later hour. Europe is fast asleep.
  • 10:15 to 13:00: Up to 10:00, traders in London are more alert, especially at the beginning of the session. In addition, most UK data is released at 9:30, and European data releases (which are more spread out), are usually released up to 10:00 (ZEW for example). By 10:15, reactions to the data have already been made, and trading remains active, yet without too many surprises. At 13:00, traders in New York are already ready and potential surprises can be seen at 13:30, when the US releases data.
  • 23:00 to 1:00: After the US session closes, some caution is warranted. Liquidity is low and this is a good time for rating agencies to surprise markets with credit downgrades. Too often, these publications were made after markets closed in the US, but usually not long afterwards. However, by 23:00, it is reasonable to expect that thing will calm down and remain quiet until data is released in Australia and Japan.
Some traders seek the quiet hours for range trading, while others are looking for action and trading the news. The most liquid and busy hours are usually 13:00 to 16:00, when major US releases are scheduled, and trading volume is at its peak – overlapping of the European and US sessions.

What are your preferred times for trading? Do you prefer surprises or quiet times?


Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD holds around 1.1750 after dismal German PMI data

EUR/USD holds around 1.1750 after dismal German PMI data

 EUR/USD maintains its range trade at around 1.1750 in European trading on Tuesday. The pair's volatility remains low, with investors awaiting a bunch of top-tier economic data releases from the Eurozone and the US. The downbeat preliminary German business PMIs cap the Euro's upside ahead of the EU PMI release. 

GBP/USD remains below 1.3400 after mixed UK labor 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

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 dismal German PMI data

EUR/USD holds around 1.1750 after dismal German PMI data

 EUR/USD maintains its range trade at around 1.1750 in European trading on Tuesday. The pair's volatility remains low, with investors awaiting a bunch of top-tier economic data releases from the Eurozone and the US. The downbeat preliminary German business PMIs cap the Euro's upside ahead of the EU PMI release. 

GBP/USD remains below 1.3400 after mixed UK labor 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 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 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

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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