Forex opens on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, when the New Zealand market begins trading
The forex market does not have a single opening bell. Instead, it opens in waves as trading centers around the world come online. On Sunday, the first major market to open is New Zealand at 5 p.m. Eastern Time (or 10 p.m. UTC). This is when the forex week officially begins for most traders in North America and Europe who are watching the market on Sunday evening.
The reason forex opens on Sunday rather than Monday is that New Zealand is one of the first time zones on Earth. By the time it is Sunday evening in New York, it is already Monday morning in Auckland. So when you see "Sunday 5 p.m. ET" on a trading platform, traders in New Zealand are already into their Monday morning session.
After New Zealand opens, the market continues to open in other regions as the Earth rotates. Sydney, Australia opens around 6 p.m. ET. Tokyo opens around 7 p.m. ET. London opens around 3 a.m. ET Monday morning. New York opens around 8 a.m. ET Monday morning. Each of these openings brings new volume and can shift prices.
Key Takeaways
- Forex trading on Sunday begins at 5 p.m. Eastern Time when New Zealand's market opens, not at midnight or the start of a calendar day.
- The market opens in stages across different time zones rather than all at once, with each region's opening potentially moving prices.
- Sunday evening is when many retail traders in North America and Europe first see price movement for the week, even though it is already Monday in Asia.
- The exact time forex opens depends on your time zone — 5 p.m. ET converts to 10 p.m. UTC, 2 a.m. Monday in London, and 1 p.m. PT on the US West Coast.
Why Forex Does Not Open at a Single Time
Unlike stock markets, which open and close at set times in one location, forex trades across multiple continents simultaneously. There is no central exchange where all forex trading happens. Instead, banks, brokers, and traders in different countries trade with each other directly, and the market is always open somewhere on Earth.
This is why forex is called a 24-hour market — it runs Monday through Friday across all time zones without stopping. On Sunday, the market is not truly "opening" for the first time that week; it is straightforward the first time traders in the Western Hemisphere can see significant trading activity. The market has been running continuously since Friday's close in New York.
Sunday Opening Times by Time Zone
| Your Time Zone | Sunday Opening Time | Which Market Opens |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 5 p.m. Sunday | New Zealand |
| Central Time (CT) | 4 p.m. Sunday | New Zealand |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 3 p.m. Sunday | New Zealand |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 2 p.m. Sunday | New Zealand |
| UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) | 10 p.m. Sunday | New Zealand |
If you trade from a location outside the United States, subtract or add hours as needed. For example, if you are in London, Sunday 5 p.m. ET is 10 p.m. GMT. If you are in Sydney, it is already Monday 8 a.m. when New Zealand opens on Sunday evening in New York.
What Happens During Sunday Evening Trading
Sunday evening trading in North America is typically lighter than weekday trading because fewer traders and institutions are actively working. New Zealand and Australian traders are in their business hours, but North American and European traders are mostly offline. This means spreads — the difference between the buy and sell price — can be wider on Sunday evening than during the week.
Despite lower volume, Sunday evening can still see significant price movement. Economic news from Asia, overnight developments, or positioning ahead of the week can all move currency pairs. Some traders avoid Sunday evening because of the wider spreads and lower liquidity. Others see it as a chance to enter positions before the busier London and New York sessions begin.
When the Market Closes on Friday
The forex week ends when New York closes on Friday at 5 p.m. ET. After that, the market is closed for the weekend. No trading happens between Friday 5 p.m. ET and Sunday 5 p.m. ET, even though it is business hours somewhere on Earth. This is a global convention — all major forex markets shut down for the weekend.
The gap between Friday's close and Sunday's open can create risk if major news breaks over the weekend. If an unexpected event happens Saturday or Sunday morning, you cannot trade until the market reopens. Your positions are locked in at Friday's closing price, and you will not see the market's reaction until Sunday evening.
How to Know Your Broker's Exact Sunday Opening Time
Most brokers open for Sunday trading at 5 p.m. ET, but some open slightly earlier or later. A few brokers open as early as 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, while others wait until 6 p.m. ET. The difference is usually only an hour, but it matters if you want to trade the very first moves of the week.
Check your broker's website or trading platform for their exact Sunday opening time. Many platforms show a countdown timer or a status indicator that tells you when trading will resume. If you are unsure, contact your broker's support team — they can tell you the exact time in your time zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trade forex on Saturday?
No. The forex market is closed on Saturday and Sunday morning (in the Western Hemisphere). Trading resumes Sunday evening at 5 p.m. ET when New Zealand opens. This is true for all major brokers and banks.
Why does forex close on weekends if it is a 24-hour market?
Forex is a 24-hour market Monday through Friday because markets are open somewhere on Earth during those days. On weekends, all major financial centers are closed, so there is no significant trading activity. The market shuts down by global agreement to give traders and institutions time to settle trades and prepare for the week ahead.
What if I want to trade before 5 p.m. ET on Sunday?
You cannot trade on the main forex market before 5 p.m. ET on Sunday. Some brokers offer limited trading on certain currency pairs in the hours before the official open, but this is rare and usually only available to institutional clients. Check with your broker to see if they offer early Sunday trading.
Does the time forex opens change during daylight saving time?
Yes. When the United States switches to or from daylight saving time, the opening time shifts by one hour relative to other time zones. For example, if you normally see the market open at 5 p.m. ET, it might open at 4 p.m. ET for a few weeks when New Zealand and the US are on different daylight saving schedules. Your broker's platform will reflect these changes automatically.
Is Sunday evening a good time to start trading?
Sunday evening can work for some traders, but it has trade-offs. Spreads are wider, volume is lower, and fewer economic events happen. If you are new to forex, you may want to wait until the London or New York sessions begin on Monday, when spreads are tighter and more traders are active. Experienced traders sometimes use Sunday evening to enter positions ahead of the busier sessions.