Currency Volatility at Forex Trading Hours

FX trading times in the global forex market starts from 5:00 pm EST Sunday - 4:00 EST Friday

Volatile

European Trading Session

7:00 GMT  -  16:00 GMT
Most volatile currency pairs during this period:
GBP/USD
USD/CHF
GBP/JPY
GBP/CHF

Good volatility can be very good for short term trading, but the risk is also magnified. These currencies have an average daily range of up to 140 pips during the European trading session. London happens to be the most important FX dealing center in the world. The market gets real busy when London opens, especially when it overlaps with the New York session 8:00 am EST - 12 noon EST.

U.S Trading Session (New York)

12:00 -  22:00 GMT

Slows down after the afternoon trading period, but still at its most active 8: 00am EST to Noon EST, with an average daily range of 120 pips for the following currency pairs:

GBP/USD
USD/CHF
GBP/JPY
GBP/CHF

Still a good time for short term trading when busy. New York is also the second largest forex market place.

Mixed Volatility

Asia Trading Session

23:00 -  8:00 GMT

Can be volatile at times and still good for day trading, with the following currency pairs having the widest range in pips movement:

USD/JPY
GBP/CHF
GBP/JPY

Less Volatility

Asia / European Overlaps

2:00 am EST  -  4:00 am EST