Best Times to Trade Stocks in Europe and the U.S.

If you've been trading for a while, you know not all hours are created equal.

Some parts of the trading day are packed with action and opportunity — others are sleepy and unpredictable.

Whether you're focused on European or U.S. stocks (or both), timing your trades right can make a big difference.

Here's a quick guide to the best times to be in the market.

Best Times to Trade in Europe

Most traders in Europe focus on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and SIX Swiss Exchange (Switzerland).

Here's when you'll usually see the most action:

• Right after the market opens (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM London time)
• Overlap with U.S. market opening (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM London time)

Why?

The first few hours often bring overnight news from Asia and early corporate announcements in Europe. Later, the U.S. traders wake up and join in, adding even more liquidity and volume.

When You Might Want to Avoid Trading

Not every hour is ideal for making big moves.

Trading tends to slow down:

• Late morning in Europe (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM London time)
• Midday in the U.S. (11:30 AM – 2:00 PM ET)

During these periods, liquidity drops, spreads widen, and price movements can be erratic.

If you're not already in a good position, it's often smarter to wait for better setups.

Why Timing Matters

• Higher volume = better fills, tighter spreads
• More volatility = more opportunities (but also higher risk)
• Strategic trading = smarter risk management and better entries

If you're day trading or even swing trading, planning your activity around the high-volume windows can make your trading more efficient and less stressful.

Want a live view of when the major markets are about to open?

Use our Market Countdown - it tracks all the key sessions around the world in your local time.