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.
What are your preferred times for trading? Do you prefer surprises or quiet times?
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD clings to strong gains above 1.1050 as US-China trade war deepens Premium
EUR/USD trades decisively higher on the day above 1.1050 on Wednesday as the US Dollar (USD) stays under persistent selling pressure on growing fears over a recession, as a result of the US trade war with China. Later in the American session, the Federal Reserve will release the minutes of the March policy meeting.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2800 on broad USD weakness
GBP/USD stays in positive territory above 1.2800 in the American session on Wednesday. After China's decision to respond to the US tariffs by imposing additional 84% tariffs on US goods, the US Dollar remains under pressure and helps the pair hold its ground ahead of FOMC Minutes.
Japanese Yen retreats slightly after retesting multi-month high against broadly weaker USD
The Japanese Yen sticks to strong intraday gains heading into the European session on Thursday and currently trades near the year-to-date peak against its American counterpart. Intensifying trade war and heightening global recession fears continue to weigh on investors' sentiment.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD clings to strong gains above 1.1050 as US-China trade war deepens Premium
EUR/USD trades decisively higher on the day above 1.1050 on Wednesday as the US Dollar (USD) stays under persistent selling pressure on growing fears over a recession, as a result of the US trade war with China. Later in the American session, the Federal Reserve will release the minutes of the March policy meeting.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2800 on broad USD weakness
GBP/USD stays in positive territory above 1.2800 in the American session on Wednesday. After China's decision to respond to the US tariffs by imposing additional 84% tariffs on US goods, the US Dollar remains under pressure and helps the pair hold its ground ahead of FOMC Minutes.
Gold extends rally to $3,050 area as safe-haven flows dominate markets
Gold preserves its bullish momentum and trades near $3,050 in the second half of the day. Further escalation in the trade conflict between the US and China force markets to remain risk-averse midweek, allowing the precious metal to capitalize on safe-haven flows.
Top 3 gainers NEO, Plume and Story: NEO surges despite Trump's tariff firestorm as investors succumb to extreme fear
Cryptocurrencies are enduring progressive market carnage from the US President Donald Trump administration's incessant tariffs on its trade partners, with some selected altcoins like NEO, Plume and Story (IP) leading the bullish brigade on Wednesday.
Tariff rollercoaster continues as China slapped with 104% levies
The reaction in currencies has not been as predictable. The clear winners so far remain the safe-haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc, no surprises there, while the euro has also emerged as a quasi-safe-haven given its high liquid status.
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