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Best time to trade the Dow

Which hours move the Dow Jones index CFD, which moves most around the New York stock open, measured over the last 60 trading days, with the London and New York killzones marked.

Education only — computed from a broker MT5 demo feed; not investment advice. We publish statistics worked out from the feed, not its candles.

Busiest 3 hours (average range)–
Average day range–
Busiest weekday–
Trading days in the average–
London Killzone New York AM Killzone busiest 3 hours ·
Hour (UTC)Average rangeOf the busiest hourNote
Weekday (UTC day)Average day range

All markets · The Dow in any time zone

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Why the Dow moves when it does

Index CFDs trade almost all day, but the real volume arrives with the New York stock market, which opens at 09:30 New York time, inside the New York AM Killzone. The first hour after the open usually has the largest range, with a second wave near the close at 16:00. Outside New York hours the index mostly drifts. The range is in index points.

The averages describe the past, not tomorrow: news can move a quiet hour, so check the economic calendar. Size the trade with the lot size calculator, watch the sessions and ICT killzones clock, and practise in the free Chart Challenge game.

Questions

What is the best time to trade US30?

Usually the first hours after the New York stock open (09:30 New York time, 12:00–15:00 UTC in January is the New York AM Killzone).

Why does US30 move overnight?

It follows futures, earnings and news from Asia and Europe, but ranges are usually much smaller than after the New York open.

Where do these numbers come from?

From ICC Charts' own MT5 demo feed: the average high-low range of each hour, worked out once a week over the last 60 trading days. We publish only these averages, not the candles. Education only, not investment advice.

Will the busiest hours stay the same?

Usually close, but not always: news, holidays and the clock changes in the US and UK move them. The page is updated every week, so check it again before you plan.

Practise and trade with a plan

See fair value gaps, order blocks and liquidity drawn for you on live charts in ICC Charts, or train your eye in the free Chart Challenge game.

Open ICC Charts free → Play the chart game

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