The forex trading New York session is one of the most active and volatile periods in the global currency market. As the final major session of the day, it overlaps with the London session and sees significant institutional and retail participation. Understanding how this session works is key to timing trades and leveraging market movement effectively.

Key Takeaways

• The New York session runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
• It overlaps with the London session from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST, creating peak liquidity.
• USD is the most traded currency during this session.
• Economic news releases often cause high volatility.
• Best pairs to trade include EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY.

New York Forex Session Explained

The New York session is the second-largest forex trading session by volume, accounting for roughly 17–20% of daily global forex transactions. The most intense activity occurs during the overlap with London.

Trading Hours in GMT

• Opens: 13:00 GMT
• Closes: 22:00 GMT
• Overlap with London: 13:00 GMT – 17:00 GMT

This window is ideal for volatility-driven strategies like breakout trading and news-based scalping.

Most Traded Currency Pairs

• EUR/USD: Highly liquid and sensitive to US and Eurozone economic news.
• GBP/USD: Volatile and active, especially during UK or US political or economic events.
• USD/JPY: Popular for volatility and carry trade setups.
• USD/CAD: Moves with oil prices and North American economic releases.

News Releases Driving Price Movement

The New York session often includes high-impact economic events from the US and Canada such as:

• Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
• Federal Reserve rate decisions
• CPI and PPI reports
• Retail Sales
• Jobless Claims

Traders often focus on these releases to find quick momentum trades or reversals.

Case Study: Trading the NY Session with EUR/USD

Priya, an intermediate trader based in India, focuses on the New York session despite the time difference. She trades the EUR/USD pair during the 13:30 GMT news releases, using a breakout strategy following US economic data. With a defined stop-loss and 1:2 risk/reward setup, she captured consistent gains during NFP weeks over three months, increasing her account by 15%.

To master strategies tailored to the New York session, including breakout and news trading, enrol in a structured Forex Course designed for serious traders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the New York forex session?

The New York session runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST (13:00 to 22:00 GMT).

Which currency pairs are best to trade during the New York session?

EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and USD/CAD are the most active and liquid during this time.

Is the New York session good for beginners?

Yes, due to high liquidity and predictable volatility, it’s suitable for traders with basic strategy knowledge and risk control.

What’s the best strategy for the New York session?

News trading, breakout trading, and reversal strategies work well due to sharp price movements and high volatility.

Do spreads widen during the New York session?

No, spreads are usually tighter due to higher liquidity, especially during the London–New York overlap.