With 2023 drawing to a close, holiday cheer isn’t the only thing filling the air for Forex traders. The Western holiday season, centered around Christmas and New Year, can significantly impact market schedules and behavior. While December and January offer exciting trading opportunities, navigating low liquidity and volatility periods is crucial.
Here’s your cheat sheet for navigating the upcoming holiday trading landscape:
Christmas Eve (December 24th): A quiet day, with most brokers closed except for a possible early morning flicker in New Zealand. Enjoy your mince pies, because Monday, December 25th, brings a widespread public holiday and market shutdown across much of the globe.
Christmas Day (December 25th): From London to New York, Sydney to Frankfurt, the doors remain firmly shut on this major holiday. Soak up the holiday cheer, because trading resumes with limited hours on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day (December 26th): While the UK, Canada, Australia, and a few others celebrate another public holiday, the US markets might offer a cautious trading window. However, proceed with caution: expect thin volumes and choppy waters.
New Year’s Eve (December 31st): Another day of rest and reflection, with markets resembling Christmas Eve’s quietude. Monday, January 1st, marks a global holiday, sending brokers and traders back to their celebrations.
New Year’s Day (January 1st): A true global slumber, with New York, London, and almost every other major center closed for festivities. Enjoy the fireworks, because the market awakens, albeit partially, on January 2nd.
Trading Resumption (January 2nd): While normal hours return for most, New Zealand celebrates a public holiday, keeping NZD markets shuttered. Tokyo’s opening ignites the day, potentially unleashing high volatility and a confusing dance of direction.
The holiday season brings a unique dynamic to the Forex market. Remember, tread carefully during these holiday periods. Reduced liquidity and unpredictable swings can be unforgiving. While some traders celebrate and refrain from new entries due to thin markets, others seek opportunities during this period. This calendar highlights upcoming closures, with most major markets inactive on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Even for non-Christmas observers, a break until January 2nd might be beneficial. However, strong trends can emerge in late December, particularly for trending assets. Ultimately, the choice to trade or rest during the holidays is a personal one. Prioritize sound risk management, and let the festive spirit guide your trading decisions.
Happy Holidays, and good luck navigating the holiday trading season!
