First Hour of Day Is the Best for Executing Forex Trades [Study]
Traders know that the difference between seizing an opportunity and missing out on a big trade can hinge on timing a trade’s execution.
The experts at FOREX.com analyzed global trading patterns combined with survey insights collected from experienced traders, to uncover the most popular and opportune times for executing trades.
Survey Key Findings:
- The first hour of the trading day is the most favored time to execute trades globally, across all asset classes, according to the survey results.
- Traders with the most experience are most likely to trade in the first hour of the day, while those with under 10 years prefer the last hour of the trading day
- Forex traders were found to have an inclination towards the first hour of the trading day above the traders of all other asset classes
What time do you place most of your trades?
Across all asset classes, the first hour of the trading day emerges in the survey data as the most favored time to execute trades globally. This preference holds true for traders dealing in equities, commodities, foreign exchange, and bonds.
Meanwhile, the period after lunch but before the last hour of the trading day is the least preferred time for trades among all asset classes, with only 16% of traders selecting this timeframe.
Regional Insights
Regional focus
1st hour of the trading day
After lunch but before the last hour
1st hour but before lunch
last hour of the trading day
Africa & Middle East
33%
18%
21%
28%
Asia/Pacific
37%
17%
19%
28%
Europe
35%
15%
17%
34%
North America
34%
16%
18%
32%
Traders active in Asia/Pacific markets are the most likely to place their trades in the first hour of the trading day, with 37% naming this time as their preferred time to trade.
On the other hand, European traders display the most significant preference for the last hour of the trading day, with 34% of their trades executed during this time.
Preferences by Trader Type
Preferred trading timeframe
1st hour of the trading day
After lunch but before the last hour
1st hour but before lunch
last hour of the trading day
Intraday (e.g., minutes to hours)
36%
15%
17%
31%
Long-term (e.g., weeks to months)
39%
15%
18%
29%
Medium-term (e.g., days to weeks)
34%
17%
20%
29%
Other (please specify)
31%
26%
20%
23%
Short-term (e.g., hours to days)
35%
16%
19%
30%
Long-term traders, whose preferred trading time frame spans weeks to months, are more inclined to execute trades during the first hour of the trading day. This aligns with the broader global trend, where most traders, irrespective of the asset class traded, favor the initial hour for trade execution.
Preference Based on Experience
Years of experience
1st hour of the trading day
After lunch but before the last hour
1st hour but before lunch
last hour of the trading day
1 year or less
36%
17%
17%
30%
More than 1 year but less than 5 years
34%
18%
19%
29%
More than 10 years
38%
16%
17%
29%
More than 5 years but less than 10 years
34%
14%
19%
33%
Experience also appears to influence the timing of trades significantly. Traders with over 10 years of experience are most likely to trade in the first hour of the day, while those with 5 to 10 years of experience display a preference for the last hour of the trading day, with a notable aversion to trading after lunch but before the final hour.
Preference Based on Asset Class
Preferred asset class
1st hour of the trading day
After lunch but before the last hour
1st hour but before lunch
last hour of the trading day
Bonds
33%
18%
20%
30%
Commodities
34%
15%
21%
30%
Equities
35%
18%
18%
30%
Forex
38%
14%
17%
31%
Examining various asset classes, Forex traders were found to have an inclination towards the first hour of the trading day - 38% prefer this time for executing most of their trades.
Additionally, FX traders are least likely to trade after lunch but before the last hour, suggesting a focus on early opportunities.
Michael Boutros, Senior Technical Strategist at FOREX.com, comments:
“Aside from the daily timing patterns, traders should also consider seasonal trends. For example, the holiday season might see reduced trading volumes and increased market volatility, presenting unique opportunities for risk-aware traders.
Additionally, geopolitical events and economic indicators can create fluctuations in global markets, demanding cautious and strategic decision-making.”
Michael Boutros adds:
“Diversification remains a cornerstone of successful trading. By spreading investments across various asset classes and geographies, traders can mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations. It also provides the flexibility to adapt to different time zones and take advantage of favourable trading hours in diverse regions.”
