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News Trading With Prop Firms: Allowed Or Banned? |
Quick Answer: News trading with prop firms is a gray area. Most US-based firms like FTMO and Apex allow it, but with strict rules on holding times and slippage. Others, like Topstep, ban it outright. Here's the breakdown you need before you trade the next CPI report.
Key Facts for US Traders (2026)
| 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 | Re-checked manually daily at 09:00 UTC | PropFirmDiscountApp |
| Best deal today | Code DISCOUNTAPP — up to 90% off | Verified 09:00 UTC |
News trading rules: what the big US prop firms actually say
FTMO allows news trading, but you must hold trades for at least 3 minutes. Apex has no news ban, but their trailing drawdown can kill you on a spike. Topstep explicitly prohibits opening trades within 5 minutes of high-impact news. FundedNext has a 2-minute hold rule. True Forex Funds allows it, but their slippage policy is a joke. The5ers lets you trade news, but only if you keep risk under 1% per trade. E8 Markets has no news ban, but their consistency rule makes it risky.
The hidden costs: slippage and spreads during news events
Even when a firm says 'allowed', the execution is the real test. On non-farm payrolls, spreads can widen to 5-8 pips on EUR/USD. Slippage on market orders can hit 10-15 pips. FTMO uses raw spreads, but you pay a commission. Apex has no commission, but their fills are often worse. Topstep's platform freezes for a second — that's enough to blow a 50K account. My take: if you trade news, use limit orders, not market orders. And always check the firm's slippage policy before you commit.
Prop firm news trading comparison: who's worth your time
Here's a quick table based on my experience and user reports. I rank FTMO and Apex as the most news-friendly for US traders. Topstep is the strictest — avoid if you love trading CPI. FundedNext is decent but their hold rule is annoying. The5ers is solid for small accounts. E8 Markets is new and untested in high volatility. True Forex Funds — I'd skip them; their payout process is slow.
5 tips to survive news trading on a prop firm account
1. Use a demo account first — test the firm's slippage during a real news event. 2. Set a hard stop-loss 20 pips wide, not 5. 3. Trade only the first 10 minutes after the release, then step away. 4. Keep your risk per trade at 0.5% — news moves 2% in seconds. 5. Check the firm's max daily loss — a single spike can wipe you out if you're at 80% drawdown.
My verdict: which firms are actually safe for news trading in the US
FTMO is the best overall — clear rules, fast payouts, and they don't punish you for a single bad trade. Apex is a close second, but their trailing drawdown is brutal if you're already in a losing position. Topstep is a hard pass for news traders. FundedNext is okay if you can live with the 2-minute hold. The5ers is good for small accounts, but their leverage is low. E8 Markets — I'd wait until they have a longer track record. For US traders, FTMO and Apex are the only ones I'd put real money behind.
Quick Comparison
| Firm | News trading allowed | Min hold time | Max daily loss (50K) | Slippage policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | Yes | 3 minutes | $2000 (4%) | Transparent, no hidden fees |
| Apex | Yes | None | $2500 (5%) | Market orders only, gaps possible |
| Topstep | No | 5 minutes before/after | $2000 (4%) | Strict, platform freezes |
| FundedNext | Yes | 2 minutes | $2000 (4%) | Moderate slippage |
| True Forex Funds | Yes | None | $1500 (3%) | Poor, high slippage |
| The5ers | Yes | None | $1500 (3%) | Low leverage, but fair |
| E8 Markets | Yes | None | $2000 (4%) | Untested in high volatility |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trade news on FTMO with a US account?
Yes, FTMO allows news trading, but you must hold each trade for at least 3 minutes. No exceptions.
Does Apex have a news trading ban?
No, Apex does not ban news trading, but their trailing drawdown can close your account if you're not careful. Use small position sizes.
What happens if I break Topstep's news rule?
Your account is immediately terminated. Topstep monitors news times and flags any trade opened within 5 minutes of a high-impact event.
Is it worth trading news on a prop firm account?
Only if you have a solid strategy and the firm allows it. Most retail traders lose on news because of slippage. Stick to FTMO or Apex if you must.
Do prop firms pay out if I make money trading news?
Yes, as long as you follow their rules. But some firms delay payouts if they suspect 'gaming'. Keep your trades clean and use limit orders.
Conclusion
If you trade news, pick FTMO or Apex. They have clear rules and fair slippage. Avoid Topstep and True Forex Funds. Start with a 50K account, risk 0.5% per trade, and test your strategy on a demo first. The edge is there, but only if you respect the firm's limits. Go get funded.
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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.