In plain English
What Trading session means
Forex trades around the clock on business days, but activity is not uniform. The market tends to shift from one regional center to another as Tokyo, London, and New York open and close. Traders often use session labels to describe where liquidity, volatility, and news flow are most active.
Why it matters
Session timing affects spreads, volatility, and execution quality. Some strategies work better during active overlap periods, while others target quieter hours. Session labels also help explain why the same pair can behave differently at different times of day.
Example
A trader watching EUR/USD may see modest movement during the Asian hours, stronger liquidity when London opens, and another burst when New York joins. The labels are shorthand for regional activity, not separate exchanges.
Quick answers
Common questions
Is there one global forex session?+
No. FX trades continuously on weekdays, but regional sessions describe when certain centers are most active.
Do session hours stay fixed all year?+
No. Daylight-saving changes and local holidays can shift the practical timing of session activity.
Sources