US retail sales at 13:30: preparing the London afternoon

[FXS London Scalper]

US retail sales can move the dollar strongly on some days. Preparing the London afternoon around it helps.

A possible plan:

• No new trades after 13:15 London.
• Existing scalps closed or with stops moved to entry before 13:28.
• No trading in the first 2 to 5 minutes after the release; spreads are wide and the first move often reverses.
• After that, trade only if a clear direction forms.

Things to know about the release: there's a headline figure and a "control group" figure that some analysts watch more. A difference between the two can cause a confusing first move.

Watch for other releases at the same time. Other US figures are sometimes released alongside it, and the market reacts to the combination.

Remember the clock changes too: in the weeks when only the US has changed to summer time, the release is at 12:30 London.

How do you prepare for US data afternoons?