Introduction
If you’re a futures trader who uses NinjaTrader, it’s important to know the trading hours for the markets you’re interested in. Futures markets are open almost 24 hours a day, but there are periods of time when liquidity is lower and trading is less active. In this article, we’ll discuss the trading hours for some of the most popular futures markets and how you can use this information to improve your trading strategy.
US Futures Trading Hours
The following US futures markets have different trading hours:
E-Mini S&P 500 Futures
The E-Mini S&P 500 futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. There is a daily trading halt from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures
The E-Mini Nasdaq 100 futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. There is a daily trading halt from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
E-Mini Dow Futures
The E-Mini Dow futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. There is a daily trading halt from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
Crude Oil Futures
The Crude Oil futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. There is a daily trading halt from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Gold Futures
The Gold futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. There is a daily trading halt from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
European Futures Trading Hours
The following European futures markets have different trading hours:
Euro Stoxx 50 Futures
The Euro Stoxx 50 futures market trades Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CET.
DAX Futures
The DAX futures market trades Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CET.
FTSE 100 Futures
The FTSE 100 futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. GMT and Monday through Friday from 2:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. GMT.
Asian Futures Trading Hours
The following Asian futures markets have different trading hours:
Nikkei 225 Futures
The Nikkei 225 futures market trades Sunday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. JST.
Hang Seng Index Futures
The Hang Seng Index futures market trades Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. HKT.
How to Use This Information
Knowing the trading hours for different futures markets can help you plan your trades more effectively. For example, if you’re a day trader, you might want to focus on markets that are active during your local trading hours. If you’re a swing trader, you might be more interested in markets that are active during your overnight hours.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve discussed the trading hours for some of the most popular futures markets around the world. By understanding the trading hours for these markets, you can improve your trading strategy and increase your chances of success. Remember to always do your own research and analysis before making any trades, and never risk more than you can afford to lose. Happy trading!
