The forex market operates 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, providing numerous opportunities to trade. With HFM, you can time your trades to make the most of peak volatility periods across major global financial centers. Understanding when these markets are most active is key, and HFM provides the insights and tools you need to seize these moments effectively. The broker makes it easier for traders to take control of their trading strategy by aligning with the best market hours, boosting your potential for steady, consistent gains.
In this article
Tokyo Session
The Tokyo session starts at 12:00 AM GMT and runs through 9:00 AM GMT. This session accounts for over 20% of total daily forex trading volume as it overlaps with both Asian and European sessions.
Volatility tends to be lower during the Tokyo session but picks up when the London session opens. The Japanese yen usually sees the most movement during this session. Schedule your yen trades accordingly.
London Session
The London session lasts from 3:00 AM GMT to 12:00 PM GMT. Over 30% of daily forex transactions take place during this overlap period between Asia and Europe.
London session volatility is heightened by the release of European economic data. Watch for volatility spikes around news events like employment changes or interest rate decisions. The euro, pound, and Swiss franc are most active during this session.
New York Session
Running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM GMT, the New York session has the highest volume and volatility overall. Over 50% of trades take place during these hours when North American markets are open alongside Europe.
Volatility surges around 8:30 AM GMT with the release of key U.S. economic reports. These include the Non-Farm Payrolls report which can cause big moves in currencies like the U.S. dollar. Schedule your dollar trades around news events for optimal conditions.
Asian Session
The Asian session takes place from 12:00 AM GMT to 9:00 AM GMT. Trading volumes are lighter during these hours with only about 15% of daily turnover. However, some volatility spikes can occur around the Sydney open.
Watch for increased ranges on AUD and NZD pairs like AUD/USD and NZD/USD around 6:00 PM GMT when the Australian and New Zealand markets first open. The Asian session tends to be range-bound overall though.
Pre-Planning Based on Market Hours
Do your research and know when key economic data is released in each time zone. Then plan your trades around sessions with higher volatility and volume. Avoid placing trades during quiet sessions unless you see a clear opportunity.
Here are some useful tools for tracking forex market hours and volatility in real-time:
● Calendar of economic events
● Live volatility tracker – Charting platforms like MetaTrader 4 have plugins that show current volatility levels across currency pairs.
● Market hours clock widget – Add a forex market hours clock displaying major session times to your trading platform.
● X feed – Follow key accounts like @FXstreetNews and @DailyFX for real-time updates on data releases or political/economic events that move markets.
● Volume indicator – Volume indicators on your charts can show spikes and drops in market activity. Higher volume tends to signal increased volatility.
By combining various tools like these, traders can better understand current market conditions and adapt their strategies accordingly. Real-time tracking provides valuable input for planning entries and exits.
Follow a consistent routine and trade only during hours that fit your schedule and style. Stick to the sessions you know best rather than overtrading 24 hours a day. Proper planning around market hours will lead to greater trading consistency.
