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Gold markets open at different times around the world, but a common starting point is the New York COMEX gold market, which opens at 8:20 AM ET.
In London, the gold market opens at 1:00 PM GMT, which is 8:00 AM ET. This is a significant time for gold trading, as it's when many institutional investors and banks become active.
The Tokyo gold market opens at 9:00 PM ET, which is a relatively late hour for many investors. However, this market is crucial for Asian traders and investors.
Keep in mind that these times are subject to change due to daylight saving time and other factors, so it's essential to double-check the current market hours before trading.
Market Hours and Opening
The market hours for commodities trading can vary depending on the exchange. Futures trading on commodities like oil, gold, and wheat can be done nearly as often as cryptocurrencies.
Commodities trade electronically from 6 pm Sunday to 5 pm Friday on CME Group exchanges. Regular trading hours at the competing Intercontinental Exchange run from 8 pm Sunday to 6 pm Friday.
You can buy and sell shares in commodity ETFs and energy ETFs during regular trading hours.
Understanding Sessions
A trading session is a period of time that matches the primary daytime trading hours for a given locale. This phrase will refer to different hours, depending on the markets and locations being discussed.
The regular trading session for U.S. stocks starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on weekdays (holidays excepted). These times are primarily driven by the working hours of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which closes early at 1:00 p.m. ET on several occasions throughout the year associated with holidays.
Trading sessions can vary by asset class and country, so it's essential to be aware of the specific hours for any securities or derivatives you're interested in trading. The U.S. bond market, for example, has a regular weekday trading session from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Here's a breakdown of the different trading sessions for gold:
- Asian session: Typically begins with trading in Sydney, followed by Tokyo and Hong Kong, and covers roughly from 18:00 to 03:00 GMT.
- European session: Opening in London around 07:00 GMT and extending until about 16:00 GMT.
- North American session: Dominated by the COMEX market in New York, this session starts around 13:30 GMT and extends until 22:00 GMT.
What Is a Session?
A trading session is a period of time that matches the primary daytime trading hours for a given locale, and its duration varies depending on the markets and locations being discussed.
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The primary trading hours naturally differ from one country to another due to contrasting time zones.
A single day of business in the local financial market, from that market's opening bell to its closing bell, is the trading session that the individual investor or trader will reference.
The markets for forex, futures, stocks, and bonds all have different characteristics that define their respective trading sessions for a given day.
Sessions
A trading session is a period of time that matches the primary daytime trading hours for a given locale. This can vary depending on the markets and locations being discussed.
The regular trading session for U.S. stocks starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on weekdays. This is primarily driven by the working hours of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
The U.S. bond market has a regular weekday trading session from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. This is different from the stock market's trading hours.
For another approach, see: Stock Market Crash
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Futures markets have different trading hours, depending on the exchange and the type of commodity being traded. It's essential to be aware of these trading session hours to prevent any unexpected problems from arising.
The Asian session for gold trading typically begins with trading in Sydney, followed by Tokyo and Hong Kong, covering roughly from 18:00 to 03:00 GMT. This session is characterized by lower liquidity due to fewer major players being active.
The European session for gold trading opens in London around 07:00 GMT and extends until about 16:00 GMT. This session is influenced by European economic data and news.
The North American session for gold trading is dominated by the COMEX market in New York, starting around 13:30 GMT and extending until 22:00 GMT. This session is influenced by North American economic data and news.
Here's a summary of the different trading sessions:
Market Information
Gold markets are active at various times around the world, with different exchanges playing key roles.
The hours of key exchanges are essential to know for successful trading.
Some of the most influential markets include those in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Trading hours vary between these markets, with some opening earlier than others.
Understanding the specific hours and characteristics of each market is crucial for traders.
Different trading sessions have unique strategies and considerations.
Worth a look: Gold Markets News
Exchanges and Trading
The American Gold market, which includes major exchanges like COMEX, CME, and NYMEX, opens at 13:30 GMT and closes at 22:00 GMT. This is when the trading action really picks up, especially as it coincides with the release of US economic data.
The Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) has two trading sessions: 01:30 to 07:30 GMT and 11:30 to 15:30 GMT. This allows for high liquidity and is a key hub for physical Gold trading in Asia.
Here's a quick rundown of the trading hours for these major exchanges:
- COMEX, CME, and NYMEX: 13:30 to 22:00 GMT
- Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE): 01:30-07:30 GMT and 11:30-15:30 GMT
US Futures Exchanges
The US Futures Exchanges are a significant part of the global trading landscape. They offer trading hours from 13:30 to 22:00 GMT.
The American Gold market is led by major exchanges like COMEX, CME, and NYMEX, all under the CME Group umbrella. COMEX is particularly influential, being one of the largest futures markets for Gold, and its activity sets significant price trends globally.
The opening of COMEX often leads to heightened volatility, especially as it coincides with the release of US economic data. This can be a challenging time for traders, but also presents opportunities for those who can navigate the market effectively.
These exchanges are a key part of the global trading ecosystem, and understanding their characteristics and trading hours is essential for anyone looking to trade in the US Futures market.
If this caught your attention, see: Gold Futures Chart
Shanghai Exchange
The Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) is a crucial player in the global gold market.
Trading on the SGE takes place during two sessions: 01:30 to 07:30 GMT and 11:30 to 15:30 GMT.
The SGE is known for its high liquidity, making it an attractive hub for physical gold trading in Asia.
As a major gold consumer, China's influence on gold prices is significant, especially during the Asian session.
The SGE's trading hours are divided into two sessions: one from 01:30 to 07:30 GMT and another from 11:30 to 15:30 GMT.
This unique setup allows for a continuous trading environment, catering to the diverse needs of gold traders in Asia.
Here's a breakdown of the SGE's trading sessions:
Sources
- https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/602886/stock-market-trading-hours
- https://www.etoro.com/trading/market-hours-and-events/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tradingsession.asp
- https://www.ig.com/en/trading-strategies/gold-trading-hours--when-to-trade-gold-200320
- https://www.fxstreet.com/education/guides/gold/what-time-does-the-gold-market-open-gold-trading-hours
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