The forex market is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world. It operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, and is open for trading from Sunday at 5 PM EST to Friday at 5 PM EST. However, it is important to note that the market does have several periods of decreased activity and volatility, which can affect traders’ ability to execute trades.
Forex Market Hours
The forex market operates around the clock, from Sunday evening to Friday evening. This is because the market is global, with trading taking place in different time zones around the world. The market opens in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday evening at 5 PM EST and closes in New York on Friday evening at 5 PM EST.
During the week, the forex market is open 24 hours a day, with trading continuing non-stop from one time zone to the next. This means that traders can access the market at any time during the week to buy and sell currencies.
However, it is important to note that the forex market is not equally active throughout the day. There are certain times of the day when the market is more active and volatile, and other times when it is less active.
Forex Market Sessions
The forex market is divided into four major trading sessions: the Sydney session, the Tokyo session, the London session, and the New York session. Each session has its own unique characteristics and trading patterns, which can affect traders’ ability to make profits.
The Sydney session starts at 5 PM EST on Sunday and ends at 2 AM EST on Monday. This session is often referred to as the “Asia-Pacific” session because it includes trading activity from countries such as Japan, China, and Australia.
The Tokyo session starts at 7 PM EST and ends at 4 AM EST. This session is often referred to as the “Asian” session because it includes trading activity from countries such as Japan, China, and Singapore.
The London session starts at 3 AM EST and ends at 12 PM EST. This session is often referred to as the “European” session because it includes trading activity from countries such as the UK, Germany, and France.
The New York session starts at 8 AM EST and ends at 5 PM EST. This session is often referred to as the “North American” session because it includes trading activity from countries such as the US and Canada.
When Does Forex Market Close?
The forex market officially closes on Friday at 5 PM EST. However, it is important to note that trading activity often slows down during the last few hours of the New York session, as traders wind down for the weekend.
It is also important to note that the forex market is closed on weekends. This means that traders cannot access the market to buy and sell currencies on Saturdays and Sundays.
Summary
The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, from Sunday at 5 PM EST to Friday at 5 PM EST. However, trading activity is not equal throughout the day, and there are certain times when the market is more active and volatile. The market is divided into four major trading sessions, each with its own unique characteristics and trading patterns. While the market officially closes on Friday at 5 PM EST, trading activity often slows down during the last few hours of the New York session. The market is also closed on weekends.
