Positions not to hold into the NY open
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2026 6:27 am
The NY open at 14:30 UK (13:30 during part of the DST shift) brings a burst of activity, especially when US data comes out at 13:30. Holding positions through this window can go either way.
Positions that are often better closed before the NY open:
- Scalps with small targets that haven't hit yet. The NY volatility could take out the stop as easily as hit the target.
- Positions that rely on London momentum. NY may reverse the London trend.
- Anything in USD pairs right before US data.
- Positions in instruments sensitive to US equity sentiment (e.g. USDJPY).
Positions that may be fine to hold:
- Trades with a stop already at breakeven or in profit.
- Positions in pairs that rarely react to the NY open (e.g. EURGBP).
- Positions aligned with a higher-timeframe trend and with room to the target.
The cleanest approach for many scalpers: flat by 13:25 UK, reassess at 13:45 after the data and the first reactions.
What do you hold through the NY open, and what do you always close?
Positions that are often better closed before the NY open:
- Scalps with small targets that haven't hit yet. The NY volatility could take out the stop as easily as hit the target.
- Positions that rely on London momentum. NY may reverse the London trend.
- Anything in USD pairs right before US data.
- Positions in instruments sensitive to US equity sentiment (e.g. USDJPY).
Positions that may be fine to hold:
- Trades with a stop already at breakeven or in profit.
- Positions in pairs that rarely react to the NY open (e.g. EURGBP).
- Positions aligned with a higher-timeframe trend and with room to the target.
The cleanest approach for many scalpers: flat by 13:25 UK, reassess at 13:45 after the data and the first reactions.
What do you hold through the NY open, and what do you always close?