Step by step
How to read it
- 1Tokyo: usually smaller moves on most pairs.
- 2London opens: volume arrives.
- 3London and New York overlap: often the busiest hours.
- 4Late New York: activity fades into the next day.
Watch out
Common mistake
Judging a pair by its quiet hours. A move in a thin session often fades when the big centres open.
Hypothetical numbers
Worked example
- Times in UTC, winter hours — they shift by an hour with daylight saving.
- Tokyo 00:00–09:00 · London 08:00–17:00 · New York 13:00–22:00.
In one line
Definition
The trading hours of a financial centre — Asia, London and New York. The London–New York overlap is usually the busiest time.
Check yourself
Check yourself
Which hours are usually the busiest for EUR/USD?