Making the Switch to Asian Hours

Making the Switch to Asian Hours

After much thought and consideration I’ve decided to switch to trading U.S. evening hours – Tokyo morning session into the European open.  In the past a switch from the U.S. or European hours to 3^rd shift would have been seen as a demotion. Today I’m asking myself why it took so long to make the change. Aside from my internal chemistry – I’m actually a “night person” – the ramp up of trading activity hours ahead of the London open is too good to pass up.  It used to be that market moves generally started slow and steady after the London open, and trended straight into the U.S. session where everyone would flatten out ahead of the U.S. releases.  Over the last couple of years the moves start with a jump in Tokyo and roar right thru the London session with maybe a shallow correction along the way.  I can’t count how many times I’ve be right on direction in London, but miss the bus because instead of giving a correction, price just roars right past me.  Last Thursday’s chart is a perfect example of what I mean (I’ve highlighted my new hours).

Wednesday will be my last day on the London shift, and I don’t think I will miss it. Here’s to the night life!                

Jay Norris hosts Live Market Exercise where he spends 12 hours per week pointing out trade set-ups and signals in live markets. He is the author of Mastering Trade Selection & Management, McGraw-Hill, 2011, and Mastering the Currency Market, McGraw-Hill, 2009.

Trading futures or Forex is a risky endeavor and not suitable for all investors!