The forex market is active 24 hours for five days a week. However, certain trading times are more convenient than others. This is due to reasons such as;
- Some trading sessions are more active than others.
- Depending on your time zone, some trading sessions happen overnight.
As a new trader, you might want to choose the most convenient trading time for you. Taking this into account, this article explains the best time to trade forex in Kenya.
Forex Trading Sessions In Kenya Time – By City
The forex market is usually broken up into four key trading sessions. These sessions include; Sydney session, Tokyo, London, and New York session.
| EST (OPEN) | EST (CLOSE) | EAT (OPEN) NAIROBI | EAT (CLOSE) NAIROBI | GMT (OPEN) | GMT (CLOSE) | |||
| Sydney | 3 p.m. | 12 a.m. | 11 p.m. | 8 a.m. | 8 p.m. | 5 a.m. | ||
| Tokyo | 7 p.m. | 4 a.m. | 3 a.m. | 12 p.m. | 12 a.m. | 9 a.m. | ||
| London | 3 a.m. | 12 p.m. | 11 a.m. | 8 p.m. | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. | ||
| New York | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 1 a.m. | 1 p.m. | 10 p.m. |
Kenya is under the Eastern Africa Time Zone (EAT). Therefore, the hours indicated below are in the Eastern Africa time zone (EAT).
Sydney Session Forex Time
Trading begins in Sydney, Australia. It opens at 11 p.m. and closes at 8 a.m. EAT. The major currencies traded during this session are the Japanese yen (JPY), Australian Dollar (AUD), and New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
Tokyo Session Forex Time
Trading begins in Tokyo, Japan. It opens at 3 a.m. and closes at 12 p.m. EAT. The major currencies traded during this session are the Japanese yen (JPY), Australian Dollar (AUD), and New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
London Session Forex Time In Kenya
Trading begins in London, UK. This session is the most active of all the trading sessions. It opens at 11 a.m. and it closes at 8 p.m. EAT. The major currencies traded during this session are EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF.
New York Session Forex Time In Kenya
Trading begins in New York, USA. It begins at 4 p.m. and closes at 1 a.m. This is the second most active session, after the London session. The most commonly traded currencies during this session are the EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and USD/CHF.
Forex Trading Sessions In Kenya Time – By Market
Historically, there were only three peak trading sessions, and some traders still use this system. The sessions include; Asian session, European session, and US session.
| EST (OPEN) | EST (CLOSE) | EAT (OPEN) NAIROBI | EAT (CLOSE) NAIROBI | GMT (OPEN) | GMT (CLOSE) | |||
| Asian | 7 p.m. | 4 a.m. | 3 a.m. | 12 p.m. | 12 a.m. | 9 a.m. | ||
| European | 3 a.m. | 12 p.m. | 11 a.m. | 8 p.m. | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. | ||
| US | 8 a.m. | 5 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 1 a.m. | 1 p.m. | 10 p.m. |
Kenya is under the Eastern Africa Time Zone (EAT). Therefore, the hours indicated below are in the Eastern Africa time zone (EAT).
Asian Session Forex Time
As you can see, the Asian session is very similar to what some traders call the Tokyo session. Trading begins in Tokyo, Japan. It opens at 3 a.m. and closes at 12 p.m. EAT. The major currencies traded during this session are the Japanese yen (JPY), Australian Dollar (AUD), and New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
European Session Forex Time
As you can see, the European session is very similar to what some traders call the London session. Trading begins in London, UK. This session is the most active of all the trading sessions. It opens at 11 a.m. and it closes at 8 p.m. EAT. The major currencies traded during this session are EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF.
US Session Forex Time
As you can see, the US session is very similar to what some traders call the New York session. Trading begins in New York, USA. It begins at 4 p.m. and closes at 1 a.m. This is the second most active session, after the London session. The most commonly traded currencies during this session are the EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and USD/CHF.
When is the Best Time to Trade Forex?
The best time to trade forex in Kenya is during the overlaps. This is where two trading sessions are open and active, where one trading session begins before the previous trading session ends.
This is beneficial because in an overlap, transactions are high and there is potential for high price movements. This gives traders a profitable opportunity.
- London-New York overlap. This takes place between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. EAT.
- Tokyo-London overlap. This occurs between 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EAT.
In this article, we look at the best time to trade forex for each currency pair.
The best hours to trade euro pairs
The forex market operates 24 hours a day during the week, because there’s always a global market open somewhere due to time zone differences. However, not every global market actively trades every currency, so different forex pairs are actively traded at different times of the day. When Europe is open for business, pairs that involve the euro (EUR) or British pound (GBP) are more actively traded. Let’s take a look at the trading sessions in Kenyan time for EUR pairs.
Best Time To Trade EUR/AUD
The EUR/AUD (Euro/Australian dollar) is an abbreviation for the Euro and Australian dollar currency pair, or cross. EUR/AUD is one of the most commonly traded minor pairs in the foreign exchange market, representing a significant share of daily trading. It is popular with both new and veteran forex traders.
There are certain times of the day that are best for trading EUR/AUD. This is because, during these times, there is enough volatility to generate profits. In order to trade more efficiently, and capture the biggest price moves of the day, many forex traders only trade EUR/AUD at certain times of the day.
The best time to trade EUR/AUD is from 13:00 to 17:00 GMT (16:00 to 20:00 EAT). This is the time when both markets are open and trading transactions from both markets means EUR/AUD spreads are normally at their tightest. And so it can help to try to trade EUR/AUD in Australia forex time.
Best Time To Trade EUR/GBP
The EUR/GBP (Euro/British pound) is an abbreviation for the Euro and the British pound currency pair, or cross. EUR/GBP is one of the most highly traded minor pairs in the foreign exchange market, representing a large percentage of daily trading. It is popular with both local and international forex traders.
There are certain hours of the day that are best for trading EUR/GBP. This is because this is when there is the most market activity. In order to trade more profitably, and speculate on the biggest price moves of the day, many forex traders focus on EUR/GBP during specific times of the day.
The best time to trade EUR/GBP is from 06:00 to 16:00 GMT (09:00 to 19:00 EAT). This is the time when the London Market is open, and the best time to take advantage of the London trading session in Kenyan time.. It is also when the British banks are open and trading volumes are at their highest.
Best Time To Trade EUR/USD
The EUR/USD (Euro/American dollar) is an abbreviation for the Euro and the American dollar currency pair, or cross. EUR/USD is one of the most commonly traded major pairs in the forex market, representing the highest proportion of daily global trades. It is popular with both new and experienced forex traders worldwide.
There are certain hours of the day that are best for day trading the EUR/USD. This is because, during these times, there is enough volatility to generate profits. In order to trade effectively, and capture the largest price moves of the day, many forex traders only trade EUR/USD at certain hours of the day.
The best time to trade EUR/USD is from 13:00 to 16:00 GMT (16:00 to 19:00 EAT). This is because London and New York are both open during this three-hour window. That means a lot of volume coming in from two major markets, so spreads are typically tightest during this time.
Best Time To Trade EUR/JPY
The EUR/JPY (Euro/Japanese Yen) is an abbreviation for the Euro and the Japanese Yen currency pair, or cross. EUR/JPY is one of the most highly traded minor pairs in the forex market, representing around 3% of daily forex trades. It is popular with both local and international forex traders worldwide.
There are certain times of the day that are better for day trading the EUR/JPY. This is because, during these times, there is more volatility and higher trading volumes for this particular currency pair. In order to trade effectively, and to capitalise on the largest price moves of the day, some forex traders only trade EUR/JPY during these times of the day.
The best time for forex trading for the EUR/JPY is from 07:30 to 15:30 GMT (10:30 to 15:30 EAT). This is because the European market is open and highly active during this eight-hour window. That means a lot of volume coming in and the possibility of tighter spreads.
The Best Time To Trade USD pairs
When America is open for business, pairs that involve the US dollar are more actively traded. Let’s take a look at the best trading sessions in Kenyan time for USD pairs.
Best Time To Trade AUD/USD
The AUD/USD (Australian dollar/ US dollar) is an abbreviation for the Australian dollar and the US dollar currency pair, or cross. AUD/USD is one of the major forex pairs. It has high trading volumes and represents a significant percentage of daily market activity. It is popular with both new and experienced forex traders.
As with all currency pairs, there are certain times of the day that are preferable for trading the AUD/USD. This is because, during these times, there are more market events and higher levels of trading activity. In order to trade efficiently, and to get the most out of their efforts, some forex traders choose to only trade AUD/USD at these times.
The best time to trade AUD/USD is from 19:00 to 04:30 GMT (22:30 to 7:30 EAT). This is because the American and Asian markets are open. Trading is usually volatile during this nine-hour window, with a lot of volume coming in, and the possibility of tighter spreads.
Best Time To Trade GBP/USD
The GBP/USD (British pound/ US dollar) is an abbreviation for the British pound and US dollar currency pair, or cross. GBP/USD is one of the most frequently traded major pairs in the forex market, representing a significant percentage of daily forex trading volume. It is popular with both new and experienced forex traders.
Some hours of the day are better for trading GBP/USD than others. This is because there is more market activity when the American market is open. In order to trade more profitably, and speculate on the biggest price moves of the day, many forex traders concentrate on GBP/USD during specific times of the day.
The best forex trading session in Kenyan time for GBP/USD is from 06:00 to 16:00 GMT (09:00 to 19:00 EAT). This is the time when the London Market is open as well. After this, movement each hour begins to taper off, so there are likely to be fewer big price moves day traders can participate in.
Best Time To Trade USD/CAD
The USD/CAD (US dollar/Canadian dollar) is an abbreviation for the US dollar and the Canadian dollar currency pair, or cross. USD/CAD is one of the most highly traded major pairs, representing a large proportion of daily forex market activity. It is popular with both American and international forex traders.
There are certain parts of the day that are better for trading USD/CAD than others. This is because there is more market activity when the American and Canadian markets are open. In order to get more out of their trading, and to profit from the biggest price moves of the day, many traders limit their USD/CAD trading to specific times of the day.
The best time to trade USD/CAD is from 08:00 to 17:00 GMT (11:00 to 20:00 EAT). While this is quite a long trading session, there will be certain times during the day when USD/CAD experiences higher volumes – typically around major market announcements.
Best Time To Trade NZD/USD
The NZD/USD (New Zealand dollar/US dollar) is an abbreviation for the New Zealand dollar and the US dollar currency pair, or cross. NZD/USD is one of the less frequently traded major pairs, but still represents a large quota of daily forex market activity. It is popular with both new and international forex traders.
There are certain times of the day that are more suitable for trading NZD/USD This is because there is more market activity when the American market is open. In order to get more out of their forex trading, and to implement their strategy during the biggest price moves of the day, many traders focus their NZD/USD trading on specific forex time sessions.
The best time to trade NZD/USD is from 07:00 to 18:00 GMT (10:00 to 21:00 EAT). While this is quite a long trading session, there will be certain times during the day when NZD/USD experiences higher volumes – typically around major market announcements.
Best Time To Trade USD/JPY
The USD/JPY (US Dollar /Japanese Yen) is an abbreviation for the US dollar and the Japanese Yen currency pair, or cross. USD/JPY is one of the most highly traded major pairs in the forex market, representing a large proportion of daily forex trading. It is popular with both American and international forex traders worldwide.
There are certain times of the day that are better for day trading the USD/JPY. This is because, during these times, there is more volatility and higher trading volumes. In order to trade efficiently, and to benefit from the largest price moves of the day, some forex traders only trade USD/JPY during these times of the day.
The best time to trade USD/JPY is from 12:00 to 15:00 GMT (15:00 to 18:00 EAT). This is because the European and American markets are open, even if the Asian markets are not. That said, the Japanese Yen and the U.S. dollar are highly traded currencies, and this forex pair typically sees relatively stable action throughout the day.
Best Time To Trade USD/CHF
The USD/CHF (US dollar/Swiss franc) is an abbreviation for the US dollar and the Swiss franc currency pair, or cross. USD/CHF is one of the less frequently traded forex pairs, but still represents a good amount of daily forex market activity. It is popular with both new and experienced forex traders.
There are certain hours of the day that are better for trading USD/CHF than others. This is because there is more market activity when the American and European markets are open. In order to maximise their efforts, and to aim for bigger gains during peak trading times, many traders focus their USD/CHF trading on specific forex time sessions.
The best time to trade USD/CHF is from 08:30 to 15:30 GMT (11:30 to 18:30 EAT). While this is fairly a long trading session, there will be certain times during the day when USD/CHF experiences higher volumes – typically around big market events.
The best time to trade GBP pairs
Best Time To Trade GBP/AUD
The GBP/AUD (British pound/ Australian dollar) is an abbreviation for the British pound and Australian dollar currency pair, or cross. GBP/AUD is one of the most highly traded minor forex pairs in the market, representing a large proportion of daily forex trading volume. It is popular with both local and international forex traders.
Some hours of the day are better for trading GBP/AUD than others. This is because there is more market activity when the London market is open. In order to trade more profitably, and speculate on the biggest price moves of the day, many forex traders concentrate on GBP/AUD during specific times of the day.
The best time to trade GBP/AUD is from 13:00 to 17:00 GMT (16:00 to 20:00 EAT). This is a relatively small trading session. Trading is typically steady but there will be times during the day when this forex pair experiences higher volumes – usually after market events.
Best Time To Trade GBP/JPY
The GBP/JPY (British pound /Japanese Yen) is an abbreviation for the British and the Japanese Yen currency pair, or cross. GBP/JPY is one of the most popular forex pairs in the market, representing a good chunk of daily forex trading. It is popular with both local and international forex traders worldwide.
Certain parts of the day are better for day trading the GBP/JPY than others. This is because, during these hours, there is more going on in the market and more opportunities to trade. In order to get more out of their trading, and to speculate on the largest price moves of the day, many forex traders only trade GBP/JPY during these times.
The best forex market open time for GBP/JPY is from 08:00 to 09:00 GMT (11:00 to 12:00 EAT). While this is a very small window for trading, it is the only time when both the London market and the Tokyo market are open. As such, that’s when there’s the most market activity.
Best Time To Trade GBP/NZD
The GBP/NZD (British pound /New Zealand dollar) is an abbreviation for the British and the New Zealand currency pair, or cross. GBP/NZD is one of the most highly traded minor forex pairs in the market, representing a significant percentage of daily forex trading. It is popular with both new and experienced forex traders worldwide.
If you want to trade GBP/NZD, it’s best to focus on specific times of the day. This is because that’s when there is more going on in the market and more opportunities to trade that particular currency pair. So in order to get more out of their trading, many forex traders choose to only trade GBP/JPY during these peak times.
The best time to trade GBP/NZD is from 08:00 to 17:00 GMT (11:00 to 20:00 EAT). This is because the London market opens at 08:00 GMT and so there will be more activity following major market news and data announcements.
The best time to trade AUD pairs
Best Time To Trade AUD/CAD
The AUD/CAD (Australian dollar/Canadian dollar) is an abbreviation for the Australian dollar and the Canadian dollar currency pair, or cross. AUD/CAD is one of the most popular minor forex pairs. It has steady trading volumes and represents a large proportion of daily AUD trading activity. It is popular with both beginner and veteran forex traders.
As with all currency pairs, there are certain times of the day that are preferable for trading the AUD/CAD. This is because, during these times, there is more market news and therefore more trading activity. In order to trade more effectively, and to get the most out of their session, some forex traders choose to only trade AUD/USD during these times.
The best time to trade AUD/CAD is from 19:00 to 04:30 GMT (22:30 to 7:30 EAT). This is because trading is usually volatile during this time frame, with a lot of volume coming in, and the possibility of tighter spreads.
Best Time To Trade AUD/JPY
The AUD/JPY (Australian dollar/Japanese Yen) is an abbreviation for the Australian dollar and the Japanese Yen currency pair, or cross. AUD/JPY is one of the most frequently traded minor forex pairs. It has good trading volumes and steady levels of daily activity. It is popular with both local and international forex traders.
There are certain hours of the day that are best for trading AUD/JPY. This is because, during these hours, there are higher trading volumes and more market volatility. In order to trade efficiently, and to get the most out of their session, many forex traders choose to limit their AUD/USD trading to these times.
The best forex market open time for AUD/USD is from 13:00 to 17:00 GMT (22:30 to 7:30 EAT). This is when both the London and the New York market sessions are open. It is generally better to trade during the New York sessions forex time. This is because trading is usually volatile during these times and there are more opportunities to trade.
Best Time To Trade AUD/NZD
The AUD/NZD (Australian dollar/New Zealand dollar) is an abbreviation for the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar currency pair, or cross. AUD/NZD is one of the most highly traded minor pairs. It is popular with both local and international forex traders.
As with all forex pairs, there are certain hours that are better than others for trading the AUD/NZD. This is because, during these times, there is more market news and therefore more trading activity. In order to trade more effectively, and to get the most out of their session, some forex traders choose to only trade AUD/NZD during these times.
The best time to trade AUD/NZD is from 21:00 to 23:00 GMT (00:00 to 02:00 EAT). This is when the two markets overlap. Trading is usually volatile during this time frame, with a lot of volume coming in, and the possibility of tighter spreads.
The best days of the week to trade forex in Kenya
The best days of the week to trade forex in Kenya are generally on Tuesday, on Wednesday, and on Thursday, during the usual market open time forex. This is because they are the days that see the most action. You can also trade forex on Monday and on Friday, but there may be less market activity. You want to make your Forex trades at the busiest times. This is going to mean the best return on your investment as well as the most profitable trades.
The best time frame for day trading
Day traders tend to take a short-term approach, with most choosing time frames lasting from 15 minutes to four hours. This is easy to fit into the usual forex trading hours. The benefit of being a day trader is that you can choose from a range of different time frames, depending on the liquidity of your chosen market, the amount of time you have to make your trades, and your preferred trading strategy.
FAQ
The forex market operates 24 hours a day during the week, because there’s always a global market open somewhere due to time zone differences. It’s important to consider the best forex market open times, but it’s also important to consider your own trading preferences. It is okay to trade late at night if that is when your target market is open, and if that is when you want to trade.
There are four main trading sessions. These are the Sydney session (Forex time zones in Kenya: 23:00 to 08:00 EAT), the Tokyo session, (Forex trading hours in Kenya: 03:00-12:00 EAT), the London session (Forex time zones in Kenya: 11:00 – 20:00 EAT), and the New York session (Forex trading hours in Kenya:16:00 – 01:00 EAT). The forex opening times are always the same. As you can, there are many forex trading hours to choose from. You just need to figure out which sessions work best for you, based on forex sessions in Kenyan trading time.
The easiest currency pair to trade in terms of trading sessions, liquidity, and market activity is the EUR/USD. As the two most commonly traded currencies in the world, the euro (EUR) and US dollar (USD) represent the highest proportion of trades made in the forex market. EUR/USD trading occurs constantly and it’s actually the most liquid currency pairing in the world.
The forex markets are closed on the weekends so you cannot open any trades. The price of currency can still fluctuate over the weekend and you will sometimes notice a gap in the price on market open, from the price of market close on the Friday night. However, retail forex brokers don’t allow forex traders to take positions on the weekends and most won’t even let you send pending orders to fill on Monday.
Final Thoughts
It is always helpful to which markets you can trade today, and when each market is open. As you can see, the best time to trade forex varies depending on your trading preferences and favourite forex pairs. It is important to keep this in mind when formulating your trading strategy, and when figuring out the best way to make money on the forex market.
