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Money Never Sleeps: Futures Trading Hours Run 23/5

December 23, 2019 by Daniels Trading| Tips & Strategies

The rise of the electronic marketplace has created many advantages for the active trader, including increased liquidity, ease of market access, and an abundance of opportunities.

Extensive futures trading hours is another key benefit that futures market participants enjoy. Crude oil, metals, interest rates, and equity index products are open nearly 24 hours per day, five days per week. If you’re an active futures trader, then you can rest assured that there’s a market open for business Sunday evening through Friday afternoon.

The Electronic Trading Day

Over the past two decades, advances in internet connectivity and information systems technology have brought the futures markets to the world. No longer are traders forced to have a physical presence at the exchange. The vast majority of business is now conducted remotely in an online capacity.

In order to service the largest number of customers, most exchanges have adopted around-the-clock futures trading hours. Aside from weekends and holidays, a daily 45- to 60-minute pause is the only time when the markets are closed. By comparison, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) limits equities trade between the hours of 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. EST―a modest six and a half hours!

The real beauty of the digital marketplace is the ability for participants to engage the markets when they move. Depending on the product, a variety of factors can drive action to the market anytime:

  • Breaking news: Key geopolitical and financial events aren’t privy to a clock. Fundamental market drivers can occur day or night.
  • Foreign market open/close: The regular opening and closing times of globally prominent markets often spark participation in popular futures markets.
  • Economic data: Official economic data releases frequently create a stir in the futures markets. From China’s GDP to the U.S. CPI, these events hit news wires on a prescheduled basis.

These three factors make futures trading possible on a nearly 24-hour basis. No longer do you have to wait for Wall Street’s opening bell before managing a position or entering the market. Modern futures trading hours make it possible to trade when necessary.
Read tips and tricks compiled from the advice of experienced futures brokers in our e-book:Basic Training for Futures Traders

Futures Trading Schedules

If you’re based in the U.S., then the extensive futures trading hours let you trade the most active periods of the world’s leading markets. Here are several blocks of time when the prominent international markets are regularly active:

Session Exchange Open (EST) Close (EST)
American New York 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Australian Sidney 5:00 p.m. 2:00 a.m.
Asian Japan 7:00 p.m. 4:00 a.m.
European London 3:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Aside from the traditional foreign trading hours, it’s important to be aware of the schedule for your target products. Here are the session times for a few of the most popular offerings available on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s (CME) Globex electronic platform:

Product Asset Class Open (EST) Close (EST)
Corn Futures Agriculture 8:00 p.m

9:30 a.m.

8:45 a.m. (Overnight)

2:20 p.m.

Soybean Futures Agriculture 8:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

8:45 a.m. (Overnight)

2:20 p.m.

Crude Oil Energy 6:00 p.m. 4:00 a.m.
Gold Metal 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
E-mini S&P 500 Equity 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Euro FX Currency 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
10-Year Note Debt 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

In contrast to agricultural products and exotics, the most popular CME Globex contracts feature 23/5 futures trading hours. Aside from a brief daily pause for server maintenance and settlement procedures, the markets are open for business.

Choose Your Own Futures Trading Hours

The flexibility afforded to active traders by digital connectivity is unparalleled. To trade, you don’t have to live near an exchange or abide by a standard 9-to-5 work day. You are free to build your schedule as you see fit.

For more information on all things futures, check out the online educational suite at Daniels Trading. Featuring expert blogs, webinars, and trading schedules, it’s a valuable resource for anyone actively engaging the futures markets.

Basic Training for Futures Traders

Filed Under: Tips & Strategies

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is division of StoneX Financial Inc. located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading was built on a culture of trust committed to a mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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