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Quick Answer: News trading in forex is about trading the volatility around economic releases. For US traders, the New York session offers the most liquid moves. You can profit from the NFP, CPI, and FOMC statements if you know which pairs to trade. This guide breaks down the sessions and pairs that matter most for your strategy.
| Market | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US indices | S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones | NYSE / NASDAQ |
| Regulator | CFTC (futures) / SEC (securities) | Official |
| Prop firm model | Funded evaluations with profit split 70-95% | Vendor terms |
| Verification | Updated regularly | PropFirmDiscountApp |
| Best deal today | Code DISCOUNTAPP — up to 90% off | Updated regularly |
The New York session overlaps with London for four hours. This is where 70% of all forex volume flows. For US traders, the 8:30 AM EST data dump is the real action. The NFP and CPI reports hit at this exact time. You get the tightest spreads and the fastest moves. Don't waste your time on the Asian session if you want to trade news. Stick to the NY open for the best fills.
Stick with USD pairs. EUR/USD is the king of NFP day, moving 80-120 pips on a solid beat. GBP/USD is a close second, but its moves are more erratic. USD/JPY is the play for interest rate expectations, especially after CPI. USD/CAD is a commodity play, tied to oil prices. Avoid cross pairs like EUR/GBP during US news. They lack the liquidity and the directional punch you need.
Not all prop firms allow news trading. FTMO does, but you must pass their challenge first. Apex is a good deal for futures, but their forex offering is limited. Topstep is solid for futures, not forex. FundedNext has a clear news policy, but their spreads widen. True Forex Funds is strict, but their payouts are fast. The5ers lets you trade news, but only on their 'High Risk' plan. E8 Markets is a good choice, but they cap your position size. Pick one that fits your risk, not the other way around.
Apex is built for futures, not spot forex. If you trade ES or NQ, this is a solid firm. They offer a 50% discount on their 50K account, dropping the price from $160 to $80. That is a good deal. But their platform is NinjaTrader, which is clunky for news trading. You get no negative balance protection. If you blow through your drawdown, you are out. It is worth it for futures, but not for pure forex news trading. Know the difference.
The5ers is one of the few firms that actually encourages scalping. Their 'High Stakes' account allows news trading without a time limit. The catch is the profit split: you get 80% up to $10K, then it scales to 90%. They monitor your risk per trade, capping you at 2% per position. That is tight for news. But their execution is smooth, and their support is fast. If you want to trade the NFP, this is a solid firm, but only if you respect their risk rules.
E8 Markets is newer, but they get the basics right. They offer a 15% discount on their 100K account, bringing the cost from $500 to $425. That is a solid deal. Their platform is cTrader, which is excellent for news trading. You get full transparency on spreads. Their downside is the profit split: 70% for the first $20K, then 85%. It is not the best deal, but it is fair. If you want a modern setup, go with E8. Just check their news policy before you deposit.
Here are the rules I follow, and they have kept me alive. First, always use a stop loss, but not a tight one. Give it 20-30 pips of room. Second, wait for the initial spike to settle. Do not jump in at the exact second of the release. Third, only trade the NFP, CPI, and FOMC. Ignore the rest. Fourth, use a 1:2 risk-to-reward ratio. If you risk $100, aim for $200. Fifth, close all trades 15 minutes before the news if you are not sure. This is not a game. It is a business.
| Firm | Max Account | Original Price | Discounted Price | News Trading Policy | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | $200K | $1,080 | $972 (10% off) | Allowed, no restriction | MT5, cTrader |
| Apex | $300K | $320 | $160 (50% off) | Allowed on futures only | NinjaTrader |
| Topstep | $150K | $165 | $148 (10% off) | Allowed, but must pass 50% profit target | TradingView |
| FundedNext | $100K | $535 | $455 (15% off) | Allowed, but no EA on news | MT5 |
| True Forex Funds | $100K | $400 | $340 (15% off) | Allowed, but strict drawdown | MT5 |
| The5ers | $100K | $450 | $405 (10% off) | Allowed, 2% risk limit | cTrader |
| E8 Markets | $100K | $500 | $425 (15% off) | Allowed, no restrictions | cTrader |
Yes, most firms allow it, but you must check their specific policy. FTMO and E8 have no restrictions, while others like True Forex Funds have strict drawdown rules.
USD/JPY is the best pair for CPI because it directly reflects interest rate expectations. Expect 60-100 pips of movement on a strong miss or beat.
A realistic target is 1-2% per month, or $500-$1000. Do not expect to double your account. News trading is about consistency, not getting rich overnight.
Yes, if you trade futures. The 50% off drops the 50K account to $80. It is a good deal, but you must pass the 10-day minimum trading day requirement.
Overtrading. You do not need to trade every release. Pick the NFP or CPI, wait for the initial spike to settle, and then enter. Patience is your edge.
News trading is not for the faint of heart, but it is where the real money is made. Pick a prop firm that matches your style, not the other way around. Use a discount code to cut your upfront cost. Start with a small account, master the NY session, and scale up. Do not chase every release. Be patient. If you want to start today, click the link and use the code 'NEWS10' for 10% off at FTMO. It is a solid firm with a smooth process. Go get it.
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Risk warning: Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prop firm evaluations are simulations, not regulated brokerage accounts.