When Does the Gold Market Open and Close?
Understand the gold market's continuous, global trading schedule and identify periods of significant activity throughout the week.
The gold market, encompassing spot gold, futures contracts, and Contracts for Difference (CFDs), does not operate with a single “open” or “close” time like a traditional stock exchange. Instead, it functions as a continuous, almost 24-hour market for five days a week, from Sunday evening to Friday evening. This global accessibility allows trading to occur across various international financial centers.
Understanding Continuous Gold Trading
Gold trading is continuous due to its global decentralization across different financial hubs. As one major market concludes its trading day, another begins, creating a seamless transition that facilitates near round-the-clock activity. This global flow enables participants to react to market-moving news and economic data at any time, regardless of their local time zone. Spot gold and gold CFDs offer near 24/5 availability, allowing investors to engage with the market virtually anytime during the trading week. This uninterrupted operation contrasts sharply with equity markets, which typically have fixed daily trading sessions.
Key Global Trading Sessions
Gold trading spans major financial centers worldwide, each with specific operating hours.
North American Trading
The New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), operating under CME Group’s COMEX division, is a primary venue for gold futures. Its gold futures market typically opens on Sunday at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) and runs until Friday at 5:15 PM ET, with a daily 45-minute pause from 5:15 PM ET to 6:00 PM ET.
European Trading
In Europe, the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) is a central hub for over-the-counter (OTC) gold trading, with its active hours generally from 3:00 AM ET to 12:00 PM ET. The LBMA also sets benchmark prices twice daily, around 5:30 AM ET and 10:00 AM ET. This period is significant for price discovery and liquidity within the physical gold market.
Asian Trading
Asian markets also play a substantial role in global gold trading, with the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) and Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) being prominent. The SGE’s trading sessions include a day session from Sunday 9:00 PM ET to Monday 3:30 AM ET, and a night session from Monday 8:00 AM ET to Monday 2:30 PM ET, continuing this pattern throughout the week. TOCOM’s gold trading hours similarly contribute to the Asian session, with a day session from Sunday 8:00 PM ET to Monday 2:15 AM ET, and a night session from Monday 3:30 AM ET to Monday 3:00 PM ET.
Periods of Highest Activity
While the gold market operates nearly 24/5, certain periods experience higher trading volume and liquidity. The most active window for gold trading typically occurs during the overlap of the London and New York trading sessions. This period, generally from 8:00 AM ET to 12:00 PM ET, sees significant participation from major financial institutions in both regions. The increased activity during this overlap is attributed to the simultaneous presence of market participants from two of the world’s largest financial centers. This combined engagement leads to higher transaction volumes and potentially more pronounced price movements. Traders often observe greater price fluctuations and tighter bid-ask spreads during these hours.