News Breakout Trading Strategy
News Breakout Strategy
Whenever a major news release is expected to hit the forex markets, the currency asset tightens up as traders stay more on the sidelines in order to examine the news release for clues as to what the market bias for the affected currency asset would be. On the charts, this shows up as a range-bound market condition.
The moment the news is released and the numbers either surprise the market pleasantly or in a nasty fashion, we will see a massive burst in price movement upwards, or a massive drop in the price action of the asset. The more pleasant or disappointing the news is, the larger the scale of the price movement.
The news breakout strategy aims to capture these market movements. The events that play out before and after the news release can be likened to the calm before a major storm. The trader must be able to use his trend line tool or price channel tool to capture the period of quiet, so he can profit from the major storm to follow. The essence of the news breakout trade is to catch the large market moves as they occur following a market surprise to the upside or downside.
Best Forex Brokers UK
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Pepperstone provides forex spreads on the EUR/USD averaging just 0.12 pips with their Razor account. This is highly competitive. Their extensive portfolio includes over 100 currency pairs, which exceeds what most rivals offer. Furthermore, Pepperstone stands out by offering three unique currency indices: USDX, EURX, and JPYX, which are rare on other platforms. They have been recognised with our 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.4 0.1 0.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 100+ Yes Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist -
XTB offers over 60 currency pairs with competitive spreads, averaging 1 pip on major pairs. The xStation platform is user-friendly, featuring over 30 indicators in its charting package and a variety of order types, supporting diverse trading strategies and risk management.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.4 1.0 1.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ Yes xStation -
IG provides an extensive selection of over 80 currency pairs through its own web platform, mobile app, or MetaTrader 4. For advanced charting and forex analysis, the ProRealTime software is available. Testing shows forex spreads are competitive, beginning at 0.1 pips on major pairs such as EUR/USD.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.9 0.8 0.9 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 80+ Yes Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime -
IBKR offers a vast range of over 100 forex pairs, including major, minor, and exotic currencies, outstripping most competitors except CMC Markets. Trading is available across multiple platforms with institutional-grade spreads beginning at 0.1 pips. There are also 20 sophisticated order types, such as brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders, enhancing trading strategies.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 100+ Yes Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower -
Vantage provides over 55 currency pairs, exceeding the industry norm, giving traders ample opportunities. With a robust liquidity pool, forex spreads start at 0.0 pips on the ECN account, often beating other options. Additionally, there are no commissions, deposit fees, or hidden charges.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.5 0.0 0.5 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 55+ Yes ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade -
FOREX.com remains a leading FX broker, providing 80 currency pairs with highly competitive fees. EUR/USD spreads can reach as low as 0.0, with a $7 commission per $100k, making it a standout choice.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.3 1.2 1.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 84 Yes WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView -
Eightcap provides over 50 currency pairs, matching the industry norm but falling short of leaders like CMC Markets, which offers more than 300. Nonetheless, Eightcap distinguishes itself with institutional-quality spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs such as EUR/USD. The broker's competitively low commissions at $3.50 per side further enhance its appeal. Eightcap also equips traders with comprehensive forex data, including essential fundamentals, bullish and bearish signals, and a calendar monitoring significant foreign exchange market events.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.1 0.0 0.1 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 50+ Yes MT4, MT5, TradingView
Pepperstone
XTB
IG
Interactive Brokers
Vantage FX
Forex.com
EightcapSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the News Breakout Trading Strategy are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Forex.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the News Breakout Trading Strategy support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Forex.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the News Breakout Trading Strategy at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IG | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Vantage FX | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Forex.com | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Eightcap | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the News Breakout Trading Strategy good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | $0 | $100 | ||
| Vantage FX | ✔ | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Forex.com | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Eightcap | ✔ | £100 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the News Breakout Trading Strategy offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| XTB | - | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interactive Brokers | Capitalise.ai, TWS API | ✘ | 1:50 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Vantage FX | Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Forex.com | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Eightcap | TradingView Bots | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the News Breakout Trading Strategy.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| IG | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers | |||||||||
| Vantage FX | |||||||||
| Forex.com | |||||||||
| Eightcap |
Our Take On Pepperstone
"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing and friendly agents knowledgeable about its products and trading tools.
- In recent years, Pepperstone has significantly enhanced the deposit and withdrawal process. By 2025, clients can use Apple Pay and Google Pay, while 2024 saw the introduction of PIX and SPEI for customers in Brazil and Mexico.
- After adding spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools for financial spread bettors in supported countries.
Cons
- Overnight holding costs are not especially competitive. That is less relevant for traders, but it could become an issue if you swing trade or hold index or forex positions for several sessions.
- Protection varies a lot by entity, so the experience is not equally strong worldwide. Traders onboarded through offshore arms get lighter safeguards than clients under the FCA, ASIC, CySEC or BaFin.
- Execution may not feel as reliable in fast markets as headline speeds suggest. In our own testing, execution was fast at desired prices, but some community complaints focus on slippage, stop-loss fills and spread-sensitive order triggers during volatile conditions.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB excels for novice traders with its superb xStation platform, minimal trading costs, no required deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are fully integrated into the platform."William Berg
Reviewer
Pros
- The xStation platform stands out with its user-friendly design and intuitive tools, such as adaptable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and a trader calculator. These features streamline the learning process for new traders.
- XTB has raised interest rates on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs (for ETFs and real shares, or 0.2% on trades over €100k) for UK clients, offering access to a wide array of markets.
- XTB offers a superb array of educational resources, such as training videos and articles, embedded within the platform to assist traders of all experience levels.
Cons
- The research tools at XTB are commendable but have the potential to excel further. Enhancing them with access to top-tier third-party services like Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks would significantly elevate their offering.
- XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.
- The demo account lasts only four weeks, posing a challenge for traders wanting to fully explore the xStation platform and refine short-term strategies before investing actual money.
Our Take On IG
"IG offers a complete package: an easy-to-use web platform, top-tier beginner education, enhanced charting via TradingView, up-to-date data, and strong trade execution for seasoned traders."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
- IG secured a crypto asset license from the FCA, enabling its return to the UK market. It now offers buying, selling, and storage services for over 55 digital tokens with fees starting at 1.49%, all under FCA regulation.
- The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
Cons
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
- IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
- In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
Our Take On Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers ranks highly for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, live data, and bespoke layouts via the new IBKR Desktop app. Its competitive pricing and sophisticated order choices appeal to traders, and its wide equity options are industry-leading."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- The TWS platform is tailored for intermediate and advanced traders, featuring over 100 order types and a dependable real-time market data feed with exceptional uptime.
- Interactive Brokers has been awarded Best US Broker for 2025 by DayTrading.com. This accolade highlights its dedication to traders in the US, offering exceptionally low margin rates and access to global markets at minimal expense.
- IBKR consistently offers unparalleled access to global equities, with thousands of shares available across over 100 market centres in 24 countries, including the recently added Saudi Stock Exchange.
Cons
- The learning curve for TWS is quite steep, making it tough for novice traders to navigate and grasp all its features. In contrast, Plus500's web platform is far more accessible for those new to trading.
- Support can be sluggish and frustrating. Tests reveal that you may face challenges reaching customer service quickly, which could result in delays in issue resolution.
- IBKR offers a variety of research tools, but their inconsistent placement across trading platforms and the 'Account Management' webpage creates a confusing experience for users.
Our Take On Vantage FX
"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- Vantage addresses the needs of passive investors through user-friendly social trading on ZuluTrade and Myfxbook.
- The trading software suite is outstanding, featuring the acclaimed MT4 and MT5 platforms.
- Opening a live account is both straightforward and swift, requiring under 5 minutes to complete.
Cons
- To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
- It's unfortunate that some clients must register with the offshore firm, which provides reduced regulatory safeguards.
- Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
Our Take On Forex.com
"FOREX.com excels in serving traders of all levels, offering more than 80 currency pairs, spreads starting at 0.0 pips, and competitive commissions. Its robust charting platforms provide over 100 technical indicators and comprehensive research tools."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- An abundance of educational resources is available, such as tutorials, webinars, and an extensive YouTube channel, designed to enhance your understanding of financial markets.
- FOREX.com provides top-tier forex rates beginning at 0.0 pips, along with attractive cashback rebates up to 15% for dedicated traders.
- With more than two decades of expertise, strong regulatory governance, and numerous accolades, including a second-place finish in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com is globally renowned as a reliable trading platform.
Cons
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform provides around 600 instruments, a notable reduction compared to the more than 5,500 options on its other platforms.
- Demo accounts are typically limited to 90 days, hindering effective strategy testing.
- US clients are not protected against negative balances, which means you could end up owing more than your initial deposit.
Our Take On Eightcap
"Eightcap excels for traders, offering diverse charting platforms, educational Labs, and AI tools. With over 120 crypto CFDs, it stands out in crypto trading and has won our 'Best Crypto Broker' award twice consecutively."William Berg
Reviewer
Pros
- With spreads starting at 0 pips, minimal commission charges, and leverage up to 1:500 for select clients, Eightcap delivers affordable and flexible trading opportunities. These conditions suit various strategies, such as trading and scalping.
- In 2026, Eightcap integrated TradeLocker, distinguishing itself as the premier regulated broker for TradeLocker. It continues to offer ultra-fast execution and competitive fees for active traders on the charting platform.
- Eightcap excels with a suite of advanced trading tools, such as MT4 and MT5, and has recently joined the 100-million-user social trading network, TradingView.
Cons
- Despite the growing range of tools available, Eightcap lacks popular industry resources such as Autochartist and Trading Central. These provide advanced charting analytics, live news, and essential market insights for traders focused on short-term strategies.
- Despite a helpful array of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap lags behind IG's extensive resources for aspiring traders. IG boasts a dedicated Academy app and features 18 diverse course categories.
- Eightcap must enhance its range of over 800 instruments to rival top competitors like Blackbull Markets, which offers 26,000+ assets, especially improving its limited commodities selection.
Trade Setup
The trader must use horizontal trend lines to define the limits of market consolidation. This can be done using the price channel tool or by using the trend line tool. After tracing, adjust the trend lines to make sure that both the upper and lower trend lines touch at least three points where the price action makes highs and lows.
The next step is to place 2 pending orders on both sides of the channel so as to catch the breakout in whatever direction it may occur. If you use a platform with an Order Cancels the-Other (OCO) order type, this is where to apply such a pending order. Otherwise, simply setup a Buy Stop about 20 pips above the upper trend line, with a stop loss set to about 10 pips below the lower limit line, and a Sell Stop order about 20 pips below the lower trend line, with a stop loss of 10 pips above the upper trend line.
Once a breakout occurs, delete the other trade and follow the active one. If you have used an OCO order type, this will be done for you automatically.
This strategy is not without risks. The worst case scenario occurs when choppy prices cause both orders to become activated one after the other, thus putting two contrary positions in the market. If the trader is unlucky, both trades will have their stops triggered. To guard against this, always use an OCO order type wherever you can so you do not get into this situation with the potential of suffering a double loss if both stops are triggered.
In addition, the trader should ensure that limit lines are not drawn too early or drawn at a wide distance from the market prices. The best time to draw the limit lines is about 2 minutes before the news release. This ensures that the period of pre-news choppiness is handled without issues.
The first example is taken from a one hour chart of the USDJPY. This is a very good currency to trade the news, especially when such news is related to consumer data in the US market (retail sales, employment, etc). Here the market was range bound for about four hours prior to news release. Eventually, the news caused an upside break which triggered the Buy Stop order.
As a rule, if the breakout candle closes beyond the corresponding limit line in the direction of the breakout, that move is not likely to breakdown.
It is best to use the news breakout strategy for trade outcomes that are predictable, or on currency pairs that have a predictable response to a selected news release. Some currencies have a habit of nasty retracements after seemingly behaving according to plan. Only experience will tell a trader which to follow and which to avoid. One way of studying this is to look at historical charts to see how certain currencies reacted to news releases that were bullish, bearish or neutral.
As with all strategies, the news breakout strategy must be thoroughly tested on demo in order to perfect the strategy, and it is also wise to get a no-deposit forex account so as to trade this strategy using live market conditions. This will enable the trader to gain confidence in using the strategy, practice money management when using this strategy, and perfect use of the strategy in a situation of trading with real money.