The Best Time To Trade Binary Options
Determining the best time to trade binary options is no easy task. But while it’s not an exact science, there are some key trading windows that offer higher levels of volume and volatility. This guide considers various underlying assets in more detail, from stocks and indices to forex, cryptocurrencies and commodities. Read on to find out the best time of day to trade binary options.
Binary Options Brokers UK
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Pocket Option provides ultra-short-term contracts, starting from just 5 seconds, on an intuitive platform ideal for novice traders. Payout rates exceed 90%, comparable with competitors, and the 'Double Up' and 'Rollover' functions enable additional earning possibilities. On the downside, its range of over 130 assets is less extensive than that of brokers such as Quotex, which offer more than 400 options.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $50 92% 5 seconds - 4 hours Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets 50% Deposit Bonus Yes Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
IQCent provides binary options featuring exceptional payouts up to 98%. The platform, albeit with basic analysis tools, accommodates various timeframes ranging from 1 minute to 1 month, supporting both short and long-term trading strategies. However, it is worth noting that stock binaries are unavailable.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $250 98% 5 seconds - 1 month Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus No CFD, Forex, Crypto, Commodities -
Capitalcore has broadened its range of trading products by adding binary options for forex, metals, and cryptocurrencies, offering returns of up to 95%. Designed for short-term traders, contract durations vary from 1 minute to 1 hour. The user-friendly web platform makes trading simple; just click 'Call' if you predict a price increase or 'Put' for a decrease.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $10 95% 1 minute - 1 hour Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets - No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
CloseOption provides binary options trading on over 30 fiat and digital currencies via a user-friendly online platform. With 15 contract durations ranging from 30 seconds to 1 month, it caters to both short-term and long-term traders. New users receive a welcome bonus.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $5 95% 30 seconds - 1 month Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets - No Forex, Crypto -
Videforex provides binary options with competitive returns, offering 20% payouts on cryptocurrencies and up to 98% on more stable assets. This outperforms many rivals. Traders can choose contracts ranging from 5 seconds to 1 month. Additionally, new users benefit from a welcome deposit bonus.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $250 98% 5 seconds - 1 month Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
Engage in trading high-low binary options on currencies, metals, and cryptocurrencies, offering significant returns. Binary options provide a clear wager on the short-term movement of an asset.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $10 86% 1 minute - 48 hours Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets - Yes CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
RaceOption provides over 100 trading options with payouts reaching 95% and expiries starting from just 5 seconds. A minimum deposit of $250 allows clients to benefit from zero deposit fees, swift withdrawals, and an array of trading bonuses.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $250 95% 5 seconds - 30 days Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets 20% - 200% Deposit Bonus No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
AZAforex provides trading in binary options, featuring time-sensitive payouts that range from 30 seconds to 24 hours. More than 50 options are available, requiring a minimum investment of just $1, with potential returns of up to 90%.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $1 90 30 seconds - 1 day Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets - No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
BinaryCent offers binary options trading across various markets via an intuitive in-house platform. With a minimum investment of just $0.10 per trade and potential returns of up to 95%, it caters to casual and low-capital traders, providing substantial profit opportunities.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $250 95% 5 seconds - 30 days Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets 20% to 200% deposit bonus No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities -
World Forex provides binary options requiring just a choice of stake, price movement, and contract duration. Returns can reach up to 100% on American agreements and 85% on European ones, with the latter also offering a partial refund for traders exiting early.
Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times $1 100% 1 minute - 7 days Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets - Yes CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities
When Is The Best Time To Trade Binary Options?
Binary options traders make a profit by predicting which direction the price of an asset will move. And as with most trading, the best time to open a position is normally when the market is busy, with activity from investors across the globe. With market excitement, a healthy amount of volatility and liquidity is generated, which is often needed for the underlying asset to reach its strike price before the contract expires.
Importantly, all assets which binary options can be used to speculate on have differing trading hours. For example, equities are reliant on the opening hours of their relevant stock market, while cryptos can be traded 24/7, including over the weekend.
Stocks
If you are speculating on shares, pay attention to the times at which the relevant stock market operates. For example, for UK companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), the best time to trade binary options on these assets will be between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM GMT. High-profile companies trading on the LSE include Shell, HSBC, Unilever and BP.
The share price of stocks can be heavily influenced by market events, such as fresh news stories, the publication of financial results or the introduction of new legislation. For example, in April 2010 an oil spill caused BP’s share price to plummet by 40% over several weeks. For traders, this might have been the best time to trade put binary options as the share price was on a rapid decline in the UK. It’s worth noting, though, that the payout would likely have been low. The whole market was aware of the oil spill issue, meaning binary options brokers would have been quick to reduce their payouts.
It is also common for news stories and other important announcements to occur out of LSE trading hours (after 4:30 PM) and therefore some investors might execute their best trades around the opening time of the LSE (8:00 AM), when the market has its first opportunity to react to overnight announcements.
Note, UK investors trading equities on international stock markets such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), should be aware of the market opening and closing times. The NYSE market hours are 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM GMT.
Forex
Investors can enter trades on forex binary options at any time. However, the best time to trade forex is often when the London Stock Exchange and another international market are open at the same time, such as the NYSE or TSE/TYO. These crossovers are arguably the most lucrative time of the day to trade binary options on currencies as more information on both markets will be available. There will also be more retail and institutional traders taking positions, improving liquidity and reducing fees.
Specifically, the crossovers between London and Tokyo and New York are considered the best time to trade currency pairs. The LSE and NYSE are open at the same time for four hours between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM GMT.
Indices
Indices measure the performance of a group of stocks. And trading binary options on a popular index effectively is, again, dependent on the respective market’s opening and closing hours. The best time to invest is when the indices’ corresponding exchange is open.
Investors focused on key UK-based indices such as the FTSE-100 have all the LSE trading hours to make trades (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). However, the NYSE and NASDAQ are only open between 2:30 PM and 9:30 PM, so British traders can only make binary options trades in the afternoon and evening.
Commodities & Cryptocurrencies
Commodities are available nearly 24 hours a day during the week but not at the weekend, while cryptocurrencies are tradable all the time. The most advantageous time frame to trade OTC binary options on both commodities and cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, is usually when there is an increase in trading activity or volume around a particular asset.
For example, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the amount of grain leaving Ukraine dramatically reduced, and since it is one the largest global producers of grain, the market price significantly increased. Many traders also use commodities to hedge against inflation. Here, the best time to trade is prior to a steep increase in inflation.
In contrast, cryptocurrencies went the other way in the early months of the war. The price of many coins began to fall, with some savvy binary options traders capitalising on the crash.
Trading Tips
Demo Trading
It’s good practice to study the market thoroughly before risking capital. Making use of binary options demo accounts will provide a real-time test environment and allow traders to simulate moves across different assets – essentially a paper exercise.
Additionally, educational support from the top brokers can provide key insights into how to successfully trade binary options as well as learning when it is the right time to enter a trade. Typically, these resources are online or available to download, usually as a pdf.
Follow A Strategy
Before opening a position, binary options traders need to think about their strategy. Depending on how they view risk and volatility could inform their approach, but it’s worth remembering that it’s difficult to trade binary options without any losses. Regardless of whether you’re trading 5-seconds, 1-minute or 1-day binary options, employing a solid risk management strategy is important.
Payment Timelines
Check your broker’s processing times because any funding delays might impact when you enter the market and risk you missing out on the best time to trade binary options. Fortunately, the best online trading brokers and sites offer almost instant deposits using eWallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller.
What Are The Best Times To Trade Binary Options?
Across all underlying asset classes, the best time to trade binary options is usually when there is a buzz in activity, high volatility or during a specific asset’s market hours. Increased trading volume or significant geopolitical events offer a great opportunity to capitalise on market movements. Traders wanting to speculate on international assets or use market-specific information will find it best to trade in the hours the respective exchange is open.
Use our list of leading binary options brokers to get started today.
FAQ
Can You Trade Binary Options 24/7?
Binary options trading times are usually restricted to the opening hours of the assets on which a trader is speculating. For example, if a binary options trader wants to speculate on BT stock, then they only can do so during the London Stock Exchange trading hours. The only asset which is available to trade 24/7 is cryptocurrency.
What Is The Best Time Frame To Trade Binary Options?
The time frame in which to trade binary options depends on the investor’s appetite for active trading. If an active trader wants to enter several positions throughout the day, they might opt for 1- or 5-minute time frames. Investors speculating over a longer period might opt for hourly or even daily binary options.
Can I Trade Binary Options At The Weekend?
Yes, but only on cryptocurrencies. All other asset classes are restricted by their respective market hours. For example, FTSE-listed stocks are available between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM GMT.
Can I Trade Binary Options In The UK?
The FCA banned UK brokers from offering binary options. As a result, traders must sign up with brokerages that are regulated by other reputable financial bodies, and firms registered offshore.
Can I Trade Binary Options On MT4?
Yes, both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 support binary options trading. The terminals offer multiple charting types, a selection of timeframes and the timezone in the platforms can be set to GMT.