What Time Does Gold Open For Forex?

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Gold is mostly available to trade nearly 24 hours a day, from Sunday afternoon to Friday, with no weekend trading. Unlike the OTC forex and gold CFD market, which runs fluidly 24 hours a day, the precious metals market has a one-hour break from midnight each night in the futures market.

With gold being traded virtually around the clock, it's essential for traders to understand when the best opportunities may arise. While some assume one can simply buy and sell whenever they like, the reality is a bit more nuanced. Subtle differences in liquidity and volatility exist depending on the trading session and market conditions at any given time.

This begs the question: when should a savvy trader really look to enter and exit the gold market? Rather than blindly flipping a coin or "going with their gut," it pays to do some homework on general trading hours and how activity levels fluctuate. Not only can this reveal advantageous entry/exit windows, but it may also help manage risk. By gaining basic insights into gold's global market cycles, one can feel better prepared for what each new trading day may bring.

Where gold is traded?

There are three most crucial gold trading centers are as follows:

The London OTC market. London is one of the world's major hubs for gold trading. The LBMA is a global over-the-counter (OTC) market where Gold is traded between market participants, primarily through banks and dealers. The market is noted for transparency and price discovery mechanisms that help set up benchmark prices for Gold.

The U.S. futures market. In the U.S. Futures Market, gold trading is a significant part of the commodity futures sector. Gold futures contracts in the U.S. are standardized agreements for buying or selling a specific Gold quantity at a predetermined price on an upcoming date.

The Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE). The Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) is one of the world's largest and most prominent physical gold exchanges and plays a huge part in the global gold market.

The SGE's Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price, or the "Shanghai Fix", is a daily benchmark price-setting process used in the Chinese gold market. It is based on actual transactions on the exchange and serves as a reference for gold pricing in China.

These markets comprise over 90% of global trading volumes and are complemented by smaller secondary market centers worldwide (OTC and exchange-traded). Perhaps, you also interested in information about the Best Place To Buy Gold In 2023.

How to start trading gold?

Starting gold trading involves several steps are as follows:

  • 1

    Educate Yourself. The first step begins by learning about the gold market. Understand the factors that affect gold prices, such as geopolitical events, economic indicators, and supply and demand dynamics. Books, online courses, and financial news sources can be valuable resources

  • 2

    Find a Broker. The next step is finding a broker. Look for a well-regulated broker with a good reputation and reasonable fees

  • 3

    Open an Account. Once you've selected a broker, open a trading account. You must provide identification and financial information for the account setup process

  • 4

    Fund Your Account. Deposit funds into your trading account. The amount you deposit depends on your trading strategy and risk tolerance

  • 5

    Develop a Trading Plan. Define your trading strategy, that has entry and exit points, risk management rules, and position sizing. Adhere to your plan to avoid impulsive decisions

  • 6

    Start Trading. Begin trading Gold based on your plan. Assess the market, stay informed about relevant news, and adapt your strategy

The money needed to start trading Gold online depends on your circumstances and preferences.

It's essential to start with an amount you can afford to lose, focus on learning and developing a solid trading plan, and eventually increase your capital as you gain experience and confidence in your trading skills.

What time can you trade gold?

Forex brokers that offer gold trading usually provide extended trading hours compared to traditional commodity exchanges. They help traders to speculate on the price of Gold through contracts for difference (CFDs) or other derivatives. These extended trading hours help traders to access the gold market even when the primary commodity exchanges are closed.

The specified trading hours for Gold can vary between forex brokers, but generally, they offer access to gold trading around the clock from Monday to Friday. The trading week is divided into sessions, and you can trade Gold during these sessions:

  • 1

    Asian session. This session kickoffs in the early evening (22:00 UTC) on Sunday and continues to the early morning of Monday. It's followed by the London session that overlaps with the Asian session

  • 2

    London session. This session usually starts around 8:00 AM GMT and ends around 4:00 PM GMT. It overlaps with the Asian session and is known for higher liquidity

  • 3

    New York session. The New York session overlaps with the London session and mostly runs from 1:00 PM GMT to 9:00 PM GMT

  • 4

    Sydney session. The Sydney session starts after the Asian session and continues into the Asian trading day

Note:

It's important to note that while forex brokers may offer 24-hour gold trading, liquidity, and price spreads can vary during different trading sessions.

Gold futures trading time and breaks

The trading hours for gold futures can vary based on the exchange where they are traded. Gold futures generally have trading hours from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon, with breaks in between.

  • 1

    Sunday evening. Trading usually begins on Sunday evening in the Asian markets (22:00 UTC)

  • 2

    Weekdays. Trading continues during regular exchange hours, which can vary from exchange to exchange

For example, the Comex division of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) usually has trading hours from 8:20 AM to 1:30 PM Eastern Time (E.T.).

  • 3

    Daily breaks. There are daily breaks in trading for maintenance and settlement. These breaks can vary but are mostly 15-30 minutes long and occur after the morning session

  • 4

    Friday afternoon. Trading usually ends on Friday afternoon in the United States (E.T.) and may not resume until the Asian markets reopen on Sunday evening (22:00 UTC)

These approximate times can change due to market holidays or exchange-specific rules.

Crypto exchanges have assets linked to the price of Gold and can be traded around the clock. These cryptocurrencies are often referred to as "gold-backed" cryptocurrencies. Since cryptocurrencies can be traded 24/7 on many exchanges, you have the flexibility to buy and sell these assets at any time.

Why is gold trading different at different times?

Gold trading can vary at different times and in different markets due to several factors:

1. Intraday volatility refers to the price fluctuations and movements occurring within a single trading day or session. It measures how much the price of gold changes from its opening to closing during a trading day.

Intraday volatility is a crucial consideration for traders and investors because it presents opportunities and risks. Activities of market participants, liquidity level, and market sentiments contribute to the intraday volatility.

2. Time zones It plays a significant role in gold trading timings due to the global nature of the gold market. Gold is traded in various financial centers worldwide, and these markets' opening and closing times are determined by their respective time zones.

3. Sessions Gold trading is divided into sessions based on the major financial centers worldwide. Each session corresponds to the opening and closing times of these markets. These sessions affect gold trading time and can impact the price dynamics of the market.

👍 Pros of trading gold

Gold trading is beneficial for traders in different ways, such as:

1. 24-Hour trading. Gold markets trade 24 hours a day, five days a week, enabling traders to participate in global trading sessions at their convenience. This continuous trading can provide flexibility for traders in different time zones

2. Geopolitical uncertainty. During geopolitical turmoil or economic crises, gold often experiences increased demand as a haven. This demand can drive up its price

3. Portfolio insurance. Some investors view Gold as portfolio insurance. Gold can provide a sense of security when other assets are underperforming or in times of economic uncertainty

👎 Cons of trading gold

Like other trading activities, gold trading has some risks, too. Some of them are:

1. Lack of income. Unlike stocks or bonds, gold doesn't generate income through dividends or interest payments. This states that holding Gold does not provide a regular income stream, which can hinder income-seeking investors

2. Counterparty risk. Traders face counterparty risk when trading gold derivatives, such as gold futures or options. If the counterparty defaults, it can lead to financial losses

3. Market sentiment. Gold prices can be influenced by market sentiment, which factors like fear, greed, and speculation can influence

However, you need to understand that exchanges may change time and brokers may restrict the access for a particular period of time. Moreover, there might be holidays which might be national or festive. It is highly advisable to keep on checking the exchange calendar in which you trade.

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Factors affecting gold prices

When analyzing the best times to trade gold, it's important to understand what factors influence price movements on both an intraday and longer-term basis. Key economic data releases and geopolitical events can cause significant volatility, presenting trading opportunities for those prepared.

Certain announcements tend to have an outsized effect during particular trading sessions. For example, major US economic reports like inflation figures commonly move markets when released during the active London session. This gives savvy traders a potential edge through anticipating the ensuing volatility.

Likewise, shifts in currency exchange rates can spark rapid gold price fluctuations. A sudden plunge in the US Dollar Index may fuel a spike in spot gold values throughout the Asian and European sessions as safe-haven demand rises.

Central bank policy decisions are another meaningful catalyst. Statements on interest rate projections from the Fed have historically triggered accelerated intraday trends, often continuing into the start of the next trading day as positions are adjusted.

By paying attention to upcoming scheduled news and events in relation to current trading cycles, gold speculators can gauge potential risk-reward scenarios. This fundamental analysis, combined with technical timing signals, allows for well-reasoned trade entries during high probability volatility windows.

Summary

While gold trading brings opportunities, it's clear there's no substitute for diligently studying the market's ebbs and flows. Gaining an introductory understanding of global trading hours, volatility cycles, and influential news events puts traders a step ahead of those who haphazardly buy and sell without a plan. For the committed, ongoing learning is critical as well. The gold market is dynamic and surprises can always emerge from unexpected places.

However, by acquainting yourself with our time-tested strategies, analysis tools, and ways of mitigating risk, discipline can be brought to even the most unpredictable of markets. No trader should expect instant riches either - patience and experience are key. But for those willing to dedicate time to comprehending gold's language, rewards ultimately await.

FAQs

What are the trading hours for xauusd?

The trading hours for XAU/USD, which represents the exchange rate between Gold (XAU) and the U.S. dollar (USD), can vary based on the specific forex broker and trading platform you are using. However, XAU/USD is typically traded in the forex market, which generally operates 24 hours a day, five days a week.

Is it possible to trade gold on weekends?

No, you cannot trade Gold on weekends, however, there are a few cryptocurrency exchanges that allow you to trade on tokenized assets whose price is linked to Gold. Also note, you can trade COMEX gold futures contracts, which operate on a central exchange from Sunday (which is technically a weekend) to Friday between 6 pm and 5 pm (Chicago time).

Is it good to trade gold at night?

Trading Gold at night could hold a potential risk of illiquidity as they also have potential risks. Whether it's good to trade Gold at night depends on your trading strategy, goals, and risk tolerance.

Can I trade gold for $10?

Yes, you can trade Gold with $10, but it will be challenging due to risk management issues. Proper risk management is crucial when trading Gold or any other asset. With a small account, you must be extremely cautious to avoid significant drawdowns.

Team that worked on the article

Upendra Goswami
Contributor

Upendra Goswami is a full-time digital content creator, marketer, and active investor. As a creator, he loves writing about online trading, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and stock trading.


Professionally, he has been a marketing professional running his agency for three years now. His agency helps finance projects to grow with the help of internet technologies. Upendra Goswami is an active investor and enthusiast of stocks and cryptocurrency.

Knows about
trading, blockchain, cryptocurrency, stock trading

Alumnus of
JECRC UDML College of Engineering, Jaipur

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

The topics he covers include trading signals, cryptocurrencies, Forex brokers, stock brokers, expert advisors, binary options. He has also worked on the ratings of brokers and many other materials.

Dr. BJ Johnson’s motto: It always seems impossible until it’s done. You can do it.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO). Mirjan is a cryptocurrency and stock trader. This deep understanding of the finance sector allows her to create informative and engaging content that helps readers easily navigate the complexities of the crypto world.