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) -
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 -
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 -
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) -
Interactive Brokers (IBKR), a leading brokerage, offers access to 150 markets across 33 countries and provides extensive investment services. With more than 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed company complies with strict regulations from the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It is among the most reliable brokers worldwide for traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 $100 1:50 -
IC Trading belongs to the reputable IC Markets group. Designed for dedicated traders, it offers highly competitive spreads, dependable order execution, and sophisticated trading tools. However, it operates from Mauritius, an offshore financial centre, allowing high leverage but within a less regulated environment.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures FSC MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
Eightcap, an acclaimed broker regulated by the FCA, offers exceptionally low trading costs. Recognised as the top-rated brand by TradingView's vast user base of 100 million, traders can directly access the platform. UK traders can open a live account with a minimum deposit of just £100.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB MT4, MT5, TradingView Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage £100 0.01 Lots 1:30
Pepperstone
XTB
FXCC
IC Markets
Interactive Brokers
IC Trading
EightcapSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the News Trading are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FXCC | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Trading | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the News Trading 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 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IC Trading | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the News Trading 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 | ✔ | ||
| FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IC Trading | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Eightcap | iOS & Android | ✘ |
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?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCC | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | $0 | $100 | ||
| IC Trading | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Eightcap | ✔ | £100 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the News Trading 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 | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| 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) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | Capitalise.ai & TWS API | ✘ | 1:50 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| IC Trading | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Eightcap | TradingView Bots | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the News Trading.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| FXCC | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers | |||||||||
| IC Trading | |||||||||
| 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
- 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.
- Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.
- Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
Cons
- Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
- Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.
- 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.
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
- XTB ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
- 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.
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
- XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
- It is frustrating that XTB products do not allow traders to modify the default leverage level. Manually adjusting leverage can greatly reduce risk in forex and CFD trading.
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
- FXCC is a trusted and licensed broker under the regulation of CySEC, a leading European authority ensuring excellent safeguarding standards.
- There are no limitations on short-term trading techniques such as trading and scalping.
- There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
Cons
- 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.
- The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.
- Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
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.
- IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
- As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading 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.
- Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
- The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
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."
Pros
- IBKR is a highly respected brokerage, regulated by top-tier authorities, ensuring the integrity and security of your trading account.
- A wide range of third-party research subscriptions, both free and paid, are available for traders. Additionally, by subscribing to Toggle AI, traders can receive commission rebates from IBKR.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
Our Take On IC Trading
"IC Trading offers an ideal environment, featuring top-tier execution speeds of around 40 milliseconds, extensive liquidity, and advanced charting tools, perfect for scalpers, traders, and algorithmic traders."
Christian Harris
Reviewer
Pros
- The streamlined digital account setup allows traders to commence trading swiftly, eliminating lengthy paperwork. Testing shows the process takes mere minutes.
- IC Trading provides exceptional flexibility, allowing traders to open as many as 10 live accounts and 20 demo accounts. This enables the management of distinct profiles for various activities, including manual and algorithmic trading.
- Trading Central and Autochartist provide valuable technical analysis and actionable ideas. These tools are readily available within the account area or on the cTrader platform.
Cons
- Although IC Trading operates under the reputable IC Markets group, it is licensed by the FSC in Mauritius, a regulator known for its limited financial transparency and lack of robust safeguards.
- Customer support was inadequate during testing, with multiple live chat attempts going unanswered and emails ignored. This raises significant concerns regarding their capacity to manage urgent trading issues.
- Unlike IC Markets, IC Trading lacks support for social trading via the IC Social app or the ZuluTrade platform.
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."
Pros
- Eightcap has excelled in all essential trading areas, surpassing all rivals to clinch our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024. It also earned the titles of 'Best Crypto Broker' and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
- In 2021, Eightcap enhanced its lineup, now providing an extensive range of cryptocurrency CFDs. It offers crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs, along with crypto indices for comprehensive market exposure.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.