Global exchange reference & trading hours guide

Refer to the table below for more clarity around trading session times and properly setup your charts.

🕐 DST (Daylight saving) Schedule 2025

USA: Mar 9 – Nov 2
Europe: Mar 30 – Oct 26
Australia: Oct 5 – Apr 6, 2026

📊 Coverage

US Equities, Metals, Energy, Bonds • European Indices & Rates • Asian & Australian Markets • Crypto & Currencies (CME)

⚙️ Using with OrderFlowViz

Our recommended approach is to set the time of your chart to the local time of the market exchange of the traded product. Other sources will also reference to the exchange's local time and if you need to know your own local time, there are probably plenty of other watches to look at.

Here is how you do it:

Step 1: Set your chart time to the exchange's local time zone in [Chart Settings] (F5) -> [Session Times] -> [Time Zone (List)] selecting the time zone of the exchange.

Step 2: Enter the sessions start and end times in [Chart Settings] (F5) -> [Session Times] -> [Session Start Time], respectively [Session End Time]

Use the times indicated in the column "Regular Trading Hours" from the table below.

Step 3: In OrderFlowViz Control Study, configure the session window in [Study Settings] (F6) -> double click the study [ofv: Control study] or select the study and click [Settings]

Input 8 "Session calculation window from (time)": Enter the start time from "Recommended Window" column
Input 9 "Session calculation window until (time)": Enter the end time from "Recommended Window" column

Alternatively: If you are using your local time in your chart, calculate the offset: (Exchange UTC Standard − Your Local UTC) ± Daylight Saving adjustment.

Product (Symbol)	Exchange & Location	UTC Std	UTC DST	DST Period	Full Session	Regular Trading Hours	Recommended Window	Peak Volume & Strategy Notes
🇺🇸 US EQUITIES (CME)
E-mini S&P 500 (ES / MES)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 16:00 CT	09:30 - 15:50 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (cash open), 12:00-13:00 CT (econ data), 14:00-15:50 CT (power hour). Avoid: 15:50-16:00 MOC auction, overnight 17:00-09:30 CT thin.
E-mini NASDAQ-100 (NQ / MNQ)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 16:00 CT	09:30 - 15:50 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (tech earnings), 12:00-13:00 CT (Fed/data), 14:00-15:50 CT. Highest beta, most tech-reactive. Avoid: 15:50-16:00 MOC.
E-mini Dow Jones (YM / MYM)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 16:00 CT	09:30 - 15:50 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (blue-chip sentiment). Less volatile than ES/NQ; large-cap dividend focus. Avoid: 15:50-16:00 MOC, overnight.
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY / M2K)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 16:00 CT	08:30 - 15:50 CT	Peak: 09:30-10:00 CT (gap fill, highest beta). First to move on risk sentiment. Avoid: 15:50-16:00 MOC, overnight thin. Momentum/directional only.
🇺🇸 US METALS (COMEX)
Gold 100oz / Micro (GC / MGC)	COMEX / CME Group New York, USA	UTC -05:00	UTC -04:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 18:00 - Fri 17:00 ET	08:20 - 13:30 ET	08:20 - 12:00 ET	Peak: 08:20-11:00 ET (pit open, London-NY overlap, institutional volume), 10:00-12:00 ET (EU data). Electronic strong 13:00-17:00 ET. Avoid: overnight thin 21:00-08:00 ET.
Silver 5000oz / Micro (SI / SIL)	COMEX / CME Group New York, USA	UTC -05:00	UTC -04:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 18:00 - Fri 17:00 ET	08:20 - 13:30 ET	08:20 - 11:30 ET	Peak: 08:20-11:00 ET (pit open, higher volatility than gold). Industrial demand & equity correlation strong. Avoid: post-13:30 ET thin, overnight 21:00-08:00 ET.
Copper / Micro (HG / MHG)	COMEX / CME Group New York, USA	UTC -05:00	UTC -04:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 18:00 - Fri 17:00 ET	08:20 - 13:30 ET	08:20 - 11:00 ET	Peak: 08:20-10:30 ET (London-NY overlap, China impact). China industrial data & infrastructure news critical. Monitor: Shanghai overnight gaps, post-13:30 thin.
🇺🇸 US ENERGY (NYMEX)
Crude Oil WTI / Micro (CL / MCL)	NYMEX / CME Group New York, USA	UTC -05:00	UTC -04:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 18:00 - Fri 17:00 ET	08:30 - 14:30 ET	08:30 - 14:00 ET	Peak: 08:30-11:00 ET (London open), 10:30-11:00 ET (EIA Wednesdays - highest spike). Geopolitical & OPEC sentiment primary drivers. Avoid: overnight geopolitical gaps, post-14:30 thin.
Natural Gas / Micro (NG / QG / MNG)	NYMEX / CME Group New York, USA	UTC -05:00	UTC -04:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 18:00 - Fri 17:00 ET	08:30 - 14:30 ET	14:00 - 15:30 ET	Peak: 14:00-15:30 ET (afternoon volatility spike, weather sensitivity). Seasonal patterns dominant; heating/cooling demand critical. Avoid: overnight very thin, NOAA gaps.
🇺🇸 US INTEREST RATES (CBOT)
10-Year Treasury Note (ZN)	CBOT / CME Group Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	07:20 - 14:00 CT	07:20 - 13:00 CT	Peak: 07:20-09:00 CT (pit open, Asia close), 12:30-13:30 CT (FOMC/Treasury auctions/econ data). Most active during yield curve inflection. Avoid: post-14:00 thin, overnight 17:00-07:20.
30-Year Treasury Bond (ZB)	CBOT / CME Group Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	07:20 - 14:00 CT	07:20 - 13:00 CT	Peak: 07:20-09:00 CT (pit open), 12:30-13:30 CT (FOMC/auctions). FOMC announcements create largest intraday moves. Avoid: post-14:00 thin, overnight.
🌾 US AGRICULTURE (CBOT/NYMEX)
Corn / Mini (ZC / XC)	CBOT / CME Group Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 19:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 13:15 CT	09:30 - 13:10 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (pit open, best spreads). USDA crop reports (~11:00 AM) create spikes; wait 30min post-release. Settlement 13:13-13:15 CT. Avoid: post-settlement, overnight electronic thin.
Soybeans / Mini (ZS / XK)	CBOT / CME Group Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 19:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 13:15 CT	09:30 - 13:10 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (pit session, highest volume & volatility). Most volatile grain; China trade sentiment key. Settlement 13:13-13:15 CT. Avoid: overnight China gaps, post-settlement.
Wheat (CBOT) / Mini (ZW / XW)	CBOT / CME Group Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 19:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 13:15 CT	09:30 - 13:10 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (pit session). Less volatile than corn/soybeans. Geopolitical supply (Ukraine/Russia) primary driver. Settlement 13:13-13:15 CT. Avoid: overnight geopolitical, post-settlement.
Soybean Oil & Meal (ZL / ZM)	CBOT / CME Group Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 19:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	08:30 - 13:15 CT	09:30 - 13:10 CT	Peak: 09:30-11:00 CT (pit session). ZL sensitive to biofuel/renewable policy; ZM livestock feed demand. Settlement 13:13-13:15 CT. Avoid: overnight thin, post-settlement.
Live Cattle (LE)	CME / Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Mon-Fri 08:30 - 13:05 CT	08:30 - 13:05 CT	09:00 - 13:00 CT	Peak: 09:00-11:00 CT, 12:00-13:00 CT. USDA livestock reports spike volume. Feed costs & weather key drivers. Settlement 13:02-13:05 CT. Avoid: pit close chop 13:00-13:05, overnight (no trading).
Lean Hogs (HE)	CME / Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Mon-Fri 08:30 - 13:05 CT	08:30 - 13:05 CT	09:00 - 13:00 CT	Peak: 09:00-11:00 CT. More volatile than Live Cattle; disease outbreaks create sharp spikes. NASS reports & China pork policy critical. Settlement 13:02-13:05 CT. Avoid: pit close, overnight.
🇩🇪 EUROPEAN EQUITIES (EUREX)
DAX (Full/Mini/Micro) (FDAX / FDXM / FDXS)	Eurex Frankfurt, Germany	UTC +01:00	UTC +02:00	2025-03-30 / 2025-10-26	08:00 - 22:00 CET	09:00 - 17:30 CET	09:00 - 17:30 CET	Peak: 09:00-11:30 CET (Frankfurt open + EU data), 14:00-17:30 CET (US overlap, highest institutional volume). Xetra provides best liquidity. Avoid: 01:00-08:00 CET thin, 22:00 settlement close.
Euro STOXX 50 (FESX)	Eurex Frankfurt, Germany	UTC +01:00	UTC +02:00	2025-03-30 / 2025-10-26	08:00 - 22:00 CET	09:00 - 17:30 CET	09:00 - 17:30 CET	Peak: 08:30-11:00 CET (opening), 14:00-17:30 CET (US overlap, large volume). Less volatile than DAX; range-trader preferred. ECB policy decisions drive sustained moves. Avoid: overnight Asian thin.
🇪🇺 EUROPEAN INTEREST RATES (EUREX)
Euro-Bund 10Y (FGBL)	Eurex Frankfurt, Germany	UTC +01:00	UTC +02:00	2025-03-30 / 2025-10-26	08:00 - 22:00 CET	08:00 - 22:00 CET	09:00 - 17:30 CET	Peak: 09:00-10:00 CET (Frankfurt cash open), 14:00-17:30 CET (US Treasury open). Most liquid European rate product. ECB policy meetings drive major moves. Avoid: overnight Asian thin, post-22:00 CET.
Euro-Schatz 2Y (FGBS)	Eurex Frankfurt, Germany	UTC +01:00	UTC +02:00	2025-03-30 / 2025-10-26	08:00 - 22:00 CET	08:00 - 22:00 CET	08:30 - 16:00 CET	Peak: 08:30-10:30 CET. Most sensitive to rate expectations; tight spreads during European hours. Lower volume than Bund but highly liquid. Avoid: overnight Asian, post-22:00 CET.
Euro-Bobl 5Y (FGBM)	Eurex Frankfurt, Germany	UTC +01:00	UTC +02:00	2025-03-30 / 2025-10-26	08:00 - 22:00 CET	08:00 - 22:00 CET	09:00 - 16:30 CET	Peak: 09:00-10:30 CET (Frankfurt), 14:00-17:00 CET (US overlap). Mid-curve benchmark; excellent liquidity during European-US overlap. Avoid: overnight Asian thin, post-22:00 CET.
🇬🇧 UK EQUITIES (ICE LIFFE)
FTSE 100 Index (Z)	ICE Futures Europe (LIFFE) London, UK	UTC +00:00	UTC +01:00	2025-03-30 / 2025-10-26	01:00 - 21:15 GMT	08:00 - 16:30 GMT	08:00 - 15:30 GMT	Peak: 08:00-10:30 GMT (London cash open + Europe overlap), 13:00-15:30 GMT (US pre-market). BoE announcements drive volatility. Avoid: overnight Asian thin 01:00-08:00 GMT.
🇯🇵 ASIA - EQUITY INDICES
Nikkei 225 Index (NKD)	Japan Exchange Group (JPX) Osaka, Japan	UTC +09:00	UTC +09:00 (no DST)	N/A	08:00 - 15:15 JST	09:00 - 15:15 JST	09:00 - 15:15 JST	Peak: 09:00-11:30 JST (morning), 12:30-15:15 JST (afternoon). BoJ comments & yen strength/weakness key drivers. Monitor: Nikkei CME futures during US hours for overnight gaps.
Hang Seng Index (HSI)	Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKEX) Hong Kong	UTC +08:00	UTC +08:00 (no DST)	N/A	09:30 - 16:00 HKT	09:30 - 16:00 HKT	09:30 - 16:00 HKT	Peak: 09:30-11:30 HKT (morning), 14:30-16:00 HKT (afternoon close). China economic data & policy announcements critical. Tech/property sector highly sensitive.
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIAN EQUITIES (ASX)
SPI 200 Index (AP)	Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Sydney, Australia	UTC +10:00	UTC +11:00	2025-10-05 / 2026-04-06	21:10 - 16:30 / 22:10 - 17:30 DST	22:10 - 16:30 AEDT	22:10 - 16:30 AEDT	Peak: 22:10-22:30 AEDT (open), 14:00-16:30 AEDT (cash session). Overnight reflects US influence; cash session most liquid. Avoid: thin sessions between close & reopen.
💱 FOREX - MAJOR CURRENCY PAIRS (CME)
Euro FX / Micro (6E / M6E)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	07:00 - 14:00 CT	07:00 - 14:00 CT	Peak: 07:00-10:00 CT (ECB/EU data), 12:30-14:00 CT (US data). Most traded pair globally (~30% forex volume). ECB policy announcements drive major moves. Avoid: overnight Asian thin.
Japanese Yen / Micro (6J / M6J)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	19:00 - 07:00 CT	19:00 - 07:00 CT	Peak: 20:00-21:00 CT (Tokyo open), 07:00-09:00 CT (Tokyo close). Safe-haven currency; rate differentials key driver. BoJ policy highly influential. Watch: carry trade sentiment shifts.
British Pound / Micro (6B / M6B)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	07:00 - 14:00 CT	07:00 - 14:00 CT	Peak: 07:00-10:00 CT (London overlap), 12:00-14:00 CT (US data). Known as "Cable"; highest volatility of majors. BoE decisions drive moves. Watch: geopolitical overnight surprises.
Swiss Franc / Micro (6S / M6S)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	07:00 - 14:00 CT	07:00 - 14:00 CT	Peak: 07:00-09:00 CT (European data), 12:30-14:00 CT (US data). Safe-haven; appreciates during risk-off. SNB policy & global uncertainty key drivers. Avoid: overnight Asian hours.
Australian Dollar / Micro (6A / M6A)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	19:00 - 23:00 CT	19:00 - 23:00 CT	Peak: 19:00-21:00 CT (Asia opens), 08:00-11:00 CT (US morning). Commodity currency; sensitive to dairy & agricultural exports. RBNZ policy & China demand critical. Lower volume than majors; watch spreads.
🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY FUTURES (CME)
Bitcoin / Micro (BTC / MBT)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	24/5 nearly continuous	19:00 - 23:00 CT	Peak: 19:00-21:00 CT (Asia opens), 08:00-11:00 CT (US morning data), 13:00-14:00 CT (afternoon). Nearly 24/7 trading; best institutional volume mid-morning CT. Daily break: 16:00-17:00 CT (thin).
Ether / Micro (ETH / MET)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	24/5 nearly continuous	19:00 - 23:00 CT	Peak: 19:00-21:00 CT (Asia volume), 08:00-10:00 CT (US data/sentiment). Follows Bitcoin closely with more volatility. DeFi & smart contract news drives intraday moves. Daily break: 16:00-17:00 CT.
Bitcoin Euro / Micro (BTC/EUR / MBTEUR)	Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Chicago, USA	UTC -06:00	UTC -05:00	2025-03-09 / 2025-11-02	Sun 17:00 - Fri 16:00 CT	24/5 nearly continuous	07:00 - 15:00 CT	Peak: 07:00-09:00 CT (ECB/Europe data), 13:00-14:00 CT (US morning). Euro-denominated hedge; tracks BTC with FX pair influence. Daily break: 16:00-17:00 CT. Lower volume than USD contracts.

📖 Reference & Best Practices

MOC Auction (US Equities): The 15:50-16:00 CT window represents the closing auction period. High algorithmic volume and volatility spikes occur as institutions submit closing order imbalances. Retail traders should avoid initiating new positions 2-5 minutes before close.
Agricultural Settlement: CBOT grain futures (ZC, ZS, ZW) and soybean products (ZL, ZM) settle via pit trading at approximately 13:15 CT, creating additional volatility and volume around settlement time. Electronic overnight sessions are typically very thin.
Contract Sizes: Full-size, mini (1/10), and micro (1/50 or 1/100) contracts available for most US equity indices, metals, and currency products. Verify broker availability on Sierra Chart.
Recommended vs. Main Trading Hours: "Main Trading Hours" shows the full session window. "Recommended Window" reflects optimal liquidity, volatility, and spread conditions for retail traders based on historical volume analysis.
DST Transitions: During DST changes (USA: March/November, Europe: March/October), market overlaps shift by one hour. Pay special attention to session boundaries during transition weeks.
Overnight Risk Management: Trading low-liquidity overnight hours (Asian sessions, late night US) can result in wide spreads, slippage, and gap risk on news events. Use wider stops or avoid entirely unless trading a specific fundamental catalyst.
Economic Calendar Integration: Peak volume periods often align with major economic data releases (US jobs Friday 08:30 ET, ECB data Thursday, USDA reports ~11:00 AM CT). Plan position sizing accordingly.

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