News Trading

News trading uses analysis of economic reports and events to predict market prices. Using the news for trading is a versatile strategy that can be applied to all market types, though specific events to look out for will vary between assets.

Whether you’re considering news trading forex, stocks or oil, read our guide to find out how you can benefit from today’s wealth of news sources to predict prices. We’ll walk through an example news trading strategy, as well as explaining how you can use algorithmic bots to capitalise on the release of economic data.

Trading Brokers

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    Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
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    Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30
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    Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a reputable broker publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. It holds authorisation from top-tier regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, and CIRO. The brokerage, which has received multiple awards, boasts a global membership exceeding one million traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA Web, MT4, TradingView
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
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    FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:500
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    IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $200 0.01 Lots 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
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    Founded in 2006, FxPro has built a reputation as a reliable non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, providing trading access across more than 2,100 markets to over 2 million clients globally. It has received over 100 industry awards, reflecting its favourable conditions for active traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
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    Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the News Trading are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
Pepperstone 4.6
XTB 4.6
CMC Markets 4.8
FXCC 3.3
IC Markets 4.6
FXPro 4.4
IG Index 4.9

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the News Trading support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay
Pepperstone
XTB
CMC Markets
FXCC
IC Markets
FXPro
IG Index

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the News Trading at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
Pepperstone iOS & Android 4.4 4.1
XTB iOS & Android 4.7 4.1
CMC Markets iOS & Android 4.1 3.7
FXCC iOS & Android 4.8 4.4
IC Markets iOS & Android 3.1 4.2
FXPro iOS & Android 4.7 4.3
IG Index iOS & Android 4.6 4

Beginners Comparison

Are the News Trading good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
Pepperstone $0 0.01 Lots 4.6 4
XTB $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 3.8
CMC Markets $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 4.3
FXCC $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 2.5
IC Markets $200 0.01 Lots 4.5 3.5
FXPro $100 0.01 Lots 4 4
IG Index $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 5

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the News Trading offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
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 Open API 1:30
CMC Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
FXCC Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:500
IC Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
FXPro Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
IG Index Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the News Trading.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
Pepperstone 4.6 4.4 4.3 3.8 4.5 4 4.6 4.3 4
XTB 4.6 4 4.4 4 4.3 4 4.3 4.1 3.8
CMC Markets 4.8 4.3 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3
FXCC 3.3 3.3 4.6 3 4 3.5 4.3 2 2.5
IC Markets 4.6 4 3.7 3.5 4.6 4 4.5 4 3.5
FXPro 4.4 4.3 4.5 4 4 3.8 4 4 4
IG Index 4.9 4.9 4.3 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 4.9 5

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
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • The award-winning customer support can be accessed through phone, email, or live chat. During tests, response times have consistently been under 5 minutes.
  • Pepperstone presents itself as an economical choice for traders, offering spreads as low as 0.0 in its Razor account. The Active Trader programme provides rebates up to 30% on indices and commodities, plus $3 per lot on forex.
  • Over the years, Pepperstone has consistently garnered recognition from DayTrading.com’s annual awards. Recently, it was honoured as the 'Best Overall Broker' in 2025 and was the 'Best Forex Broker' runner-up the same year.

Cons

  • Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
  • Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
  • Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.

Our Take On XTB

"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."

Pros

  • Setting up an XTB account is straightforward and fully online, requiring only a few minutes. This simplicity eases new traders into the world of trading.
  • XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.
  • 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.

Cons

  • XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Our Take On CMC Markets

"Equipped with advanced charts and a broad array of tradable CFDs, including an unmatched selection of currencies and bespoke indices, CMC Markets offers an excellent online platform for traders at any level."

Pros

  • The CMC web platform offers an exceptional user experience with sophisticated charting tools for trading and customisable options, suitable for both novice and seasoned traders. It supports MT4 but not MT5, and TradingView will be available from 2025.
  • The brokerage excels with an extensive array of valuable resources, such as pattern recognition scanners, webinars, tutorials, news feeds, and research from reputable sources like Morningstar.
  • CMC provides competitive pricing with narrow spreads and low trading fees, except for stock CFDs. The Alpha and Price+ programmes offer additional benefits for active traders, including discounts on spreads of up to 40%.

Cons

  • The CMC Markets app provides a comprehensive trading package; however, its design and user experience lag behind market leaders such as eToro.
  • CMC provides a robust range of assets; however, it does not support trading actual stocks, and UK clients are unable to trade cryptocurrencies.
  • Although there have been improvements, the online platform still needs further refinement to match the user-friendly trading experience offered by competitors such as IG.

Our Take On FXCC

"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."

Pros

  • The complimentary education section, featuring the 'Traders Corner' blog, provides a wide array of resources suitable for traders of all experience levels.
  • There are no limitations on short-term trading techniques such as trading and scalping.
  • FXCC is a trusted and licensed broker under the regulation of CySEC, a leading European authority ensuring excellent safeguarding standards.

Cons

  • Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
  • The range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.
  • FXCC's exclusive MetaTrader platform is a limitation, especially when compared to more versatile options like AvaTrade, which offers five different platforms to cater to various trader needs.

Our Take On IC Markets

"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."

Pros

  • In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
  • Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
  • IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.

Cons

  • IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
  • Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.
  • Although there are four top-tier third-party platforms available, the absence of in-house software or a trading app tailored for novice traders is notable.

Our Take On FXPro

"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."

Pros

  • FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.
  • FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
  • FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.

Cons

  • There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
  • FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
  • FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.

Our Take On IG Index

"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."

Pros

  • IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
  • As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
  • The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.

Cons

  • IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
  • Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
  • IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.

See all Brokers

What Is News Trading?

Trading on the news is based on analysis of economic news and events, unlike technical analysis which uses charts and indicators to predict patterns. However, technical analysis can be used in combination with news-driven trading to confirm any predicted trends. News trading involves reacting to events that are both scheduled and unscheduled.

News trading strategy

Scheduled news trading uses reports from recurring or one-off events with predictable timings, such as company announcements or general elections. Day traders take advantage of the volatility that often surrounds stocks just before and after an announcement, unlike longer-term investors who will be interested in whether the overall trend is likely to reverse. Speculation can be just as important, if not more important, than the reported figures themselves. The most successful scheduled trading will come from traders who have carried out in-depth research of the company, asset or market they are trading.

Unscheduled events are ‘one-off’ occurrences. These are the unpredictable events such as the 2008 financial crisis or Covid-19 pandemic, that a trader will likely be unprepared for. However, the potentially significant impact of these events means there can be high profits to be made.

News Trading Markets

News affects everything and can therefore be applied to all markets including forex, stocks cryptos, oil, futures, gold and binary options, though certain news events will have a stronger effect on specific market directions.

Forex

When trading news on forex now, central bank announcements and political news can have large influences on price. UK news traders should consider the effect of a general election or Bank of England online announcements on the FTSE100 and USD/GBP when developing indices and forex news trading strategies. The EU referendum result in 2016 saw a strong breakout of EUR/GBP, for example.

Trading on news announcements

2016 Brexit referendum impact on EUR GBP

Stocks

Company share price is likely to be impacted by periodic company announcements and annual reports. Stock news trading strategies can be developed based on patterns seen around these news releases.

News trading strategy

M&S trading news effect on trading volume and share price

Cryptos

Cryptos are primarily affected by supply and demand and are not influenced by monetary policy. News reports about trading regulation and competing altcoins are significant when news trading cryptocurrency.

Commodities

Gold news traders should keep on top of updates regarding inflation, deflation and supply and demand. Supply and demand are also extremely influential on the price of oil and gas, along with any news relating to OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries).

How To Trade On The News

Trading on the news involves three key steps: find a suitable broker, conduct research and establish a trading strategy.

Choosing A Broker

First, you’ll need to decide on a broker to execute your trades. Basic checks include whether they offer access to the market you are interested in, the associated spreads and fees, and if they are regulated. The FCA is a reputable regulator in the UK, which ensures protection of funds up to £85,000 through the FSCS.

The tools offered by the broker should also be a deciding factor. In particular, review their trading platform, which might be proprietary or a popular third-party platform such as MetaTrader. Either way, an easily accessible economic news calendar and the ability to place pending orders to lock profit and minimise losses is crucial. Check if the broker has an app so you can keep up-to-date with news and execute trades on the go.

Many brokers offer demo accounts which allow traders to practice using virtual funds first. Practising with yesterday’s trending news is a great way to get familiar with news trading.

Though Trading 212 is an FCA regulated broker, its mobile app ratings are poor. Pepperstone is a great FCA regulated broker which excels in its platform choices, offering 11 types including MetaTrader and cTrader. OctaFX, which is regulated by CySEC, is also a good option for news traders looking to use the MetaTrader platforms.

Research Markets

Taking the time to conduct in-depth research is essential for news-based trading. Books provide the framework for news trading strategies, while subscribing to a trading newspaper, newsletter or podcast will keep you up to date with today’s trading news around the world.

The top websites for news trading include Bloomberg (which also has a radio channel) and Reuters, covering events that impact various markets from brent crude oil to gold. They are also great sources of international news, including US NFP reports and stock exchange information about Nasdaq, ASX, DAX and NSE. The TradingView news feed provides a great free source of events and analysis today, while Telegram has a host of trading channels to pick up tips.

For forex specific trading news releases and updates this week, check out websites such as IG. YouTube is a rich source of information for the best forex secrets and insider tips, which also provides live demos of news trading.

Crude Oil News Trading Strategy Example

The latest crude oil price crash of 2014 was a combination of multiple factors that could have been predicted using news trading. Here, we discuss the specific events to look out for when oil news trading, in addition to how technical analysis can be used to confirm price predictions.

A range of economic news sources provided indications of the oil price decline in 2014:

  • GDP reports – Countries such as China, which had pushed up oil prices due to increasing demand in the lead up to the financial crisis of 2008, had weakening economies. This could be observed in their GDP reporting from 2008 onwards.
  • Forex analysis – The US Dollar is also important when news trading oil, due to its correlation with oil commodities which are generally traded in USD. Forex analysis shows the US dollar was strong in 2013, encouraging oil production.
  • Supply and demand reports – An extended period of high oil prices resulted in overproduction, as captured in the International Oil Agency report which details oil supply and demand.
  • OPEC news – The overproduction led the price of oil to drop, subsequently raising the question about whether OPEC would cut production in response. By following OPEC news, traders would have been made aware of the announcement in November that Saudi Arabia were to maintain their oil production levels, leading to a further decline in oil price.

These news reports are backed up by technical analysis including Moving Average (MA) indicators and the Relative Strength Index (RSI). A longer-term MA with a 200 day period can be used in combination with a shorter-term MA with a 20 day period. The shorter-term MA (blue line) crossing below the longer-term MA (green line) is an indication that the trend is moving downwards and is therefore a sell signal. The RSI (purple graph) indicates whether an asset is oversold or overbought, using a scale of 0 to 100. A reading above 80 is considered to be overbought, further confirming the sell signal.

Trading commodities using news

2014 Brent crude oil crash

Algorithmic News Trading

Robots can be used to automate news trading, enabling quicker trading reactions based on vast sources of information. However, training the bot to distinguish which news is relevant can be difficult and may require more complex artificial intelligence methods. Reacting to news announcements such as interest rates at high speed is one example of a simple way to get value from using software algorithms for news trading.

Example news trading robots include Expert Advisors (EAs) and indicators which are available on MetaTrader platforms such as MT4. Many are available for free download from the MetaTrader code library, while traders can also develop bespoke news trading bots using the MQL programming language. News based trading algorithms can be designed to simply set alerts, apply pending orders or carry out more specific trades based on signals. Developers of bespoke bots can use APIs to connect their algorithms to a broker platform, enabling tracking of real-time prices.

Final Word On News Trading

News trading is a popular strategy based on the research of economic events to predict asset prices, across all markets. With traders able to access more news sources than ever, in-depth research of relevant reporting is key. Algorithmic bots can provide the trader with an advantage over manual trading methods, by enabling analysis of vast amounts of economic news data and reacting to events extremely quickly.

FAQ

What Is News Trading Vs Technical Trading?

News trading decisions are based on economic news and events, unlike technical analysis which uses charts and indicators to predict patterns. Technical analysis can be used in combination with news driven trading to confirm predicted trends.

What Is News Based Day Trading?

Day traders can take advantage of the short-term volatility surrounding markets just before and after economic events, such as central bank reports and company announcements.

Which UK Broker Is The Best For News Trading?

Pepperstone is one of the best UK broker choices for news trading. As well as being FCA regulated, it offers a huge range of platform options including MetaTrader and cTrader.

Where Can I Find Trading News Now?

The top news trading websites include Bloomberg and Reuters, covering events that impact various markets including forex. A series of other websites, such as Zerodha, have breaking news pages for traders looking to find information on assets such as gold and oil right now.

What Is a News Trading Forex Strategy?

News trading forex strategies should prepare for the impact of events such as central bank announcements and political news, including general elections. In the UK, these are likely to have the largest impact on USD/GBP and EUR/GBP forex pairs.