Introduction

Have you ever wondered which pairs are most profitable during the Asian trading session? As an experienced trader, I’ve faced the same question and discovered that certain currency pairings outperform others in this timeframe.

This article delves into Forex trading during the coveted Asian session, highlighting optimal pairs for higher returns. Ready to level up your trading game? Fresh insights lie ahead!

finding the optimal Forex pairs for higher returns

Key Takeaways

  •  During this session, the best forex pairs to trade are  AUD/NZD, AUD/JPY, NZD/JPY, and USD/JPY.
  • The Asian session in forex trading, also known as the Tokyo session, offers unique characteristics compared to other major sessions like London session or New York session
  • When choosing currency pairs, factors include volatility levels, trading strategy alignment with session characteristics, and staying updated with market news and economic data releases specific to the Asian region.
  • Traders should implement proper risk management strategies and thoroughly understand how different factors influence exchange rates to make informed decisions for successful trading.

Understanding the Asian Session in Forex Trading

This  session in forex trading refers to when the markets in Asia, particularly Tokyo and Singapore, are open for trading.

Timeframe and Characteristics

Understanding the timeframe and characteristics of the Asian trading session can significantly enhance your Foreign exchange market trading strategies. The Asian and Tokyo sessions start at 00:00 GMT, marking a new trading day in Forex markets. To check present GMT with a 24 hr clock, see below, brought to you by Time.Is:

Time in Greenwich Mean Time:


List of Different Session Times

Remember to scroll:

Market Hours by Myfxbook.com


Visual Guide to Forex Session Times

One noteworthy characteristic is its overlap with Sydney trading hours - increased activity sparks greater volatility levels during this period. It also overlaps with European sessions, creating an even busier market and potential opportunities for traders to capitalize on.

Running from 12:00 AM to 9:00 AM time zone, GMT (see GMT clock above), this key trading time in global finance commands attention for its unique features compared to other major sessions like London or New York.

Key factors such as established trading ranges and lower liquidity are hallmarks seasoned traders have come to appreciate.


Liquidity and Volatility during the Asian Session

In the forex market, liquidity and price excitability hold different dynamics during the Asian trading session. Liquidity refers to how quickly a pair can be bought or sold without causing significant price movement.

This session typically exhibits lower liquidity than other major trading sessions, such as the London and New York session. This is mainly because it accounts for only about 20% of all forex transactions.

Conversely, volatility or price excitability measures how much currency exchange rates fluctuate daily. Price excitability  during the Tokyo session tends to be more subdued, attributed to lower trading volumes generated by European and North American markets.

Even though the level of volatility (price excitability) is generally low, selected forex pairs like USD/JPY and AUD/JPY often witness high price action due to economic news events released from Asia's top economies, including Japan and Australia.

More about the Best Forex Pairs to Trade During the Tokyo Session

Trading during the Asian Session

USD/JPY

As a proficient trader, knowing which pair to focus on during particular market sessions is crucial. During this session, specifically Tokyo's trading hours, one of the most compelling pairs to trade is USD/JPY.

This combination involves two powerhouses: Japan's Yen and the US Dollar - currencies from economies with significant global influence. The price movements of this pair are dictated by various news announcements ranging from economic indicators to geopolitical events.

USD/JPY tops the list of actively traded pairs during these hours due to its high price excitability and liquidity, making it perfect for breakout trading strategies.

The USD/JPY is one of the best forex pairs to trade during this session. With its high trading volumes and liquidity, USD/JPY offers great opportunities for traders looking to capitalize on market movements during this time.

The Tokyo session, which opens at 12:00 AM GMT, is especially important for trading USD/JPY and other major foreign exchange pairs. As one of the most actively traded currencies in the world, the Japanese yen (JPY) plays a significant role in influencing price action during this session.

By monitoring economic news and developments in the Asian markets and monitoring key support and resistance levels, traders can take advantage of potentially profitable trades with USD/JPY during this time.

Even though the level of volatility is generally low, selected forex pairs like USD/JPY and AUD/JPY often witness high price action due to economic news events released from Asia's top economies, including Japan and Australia.

AUD/NZD

Another one of the best forex pairs to trade during this session is AUD/NZD. This pair comprises the Australian Dollar (AUD) and the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Australia and New Zealand are regularly release market news during the Asian session.

Additionally, the Japanese Yen (JPY) significantly impacts AUD/NZD. The JPY is one of the most actively traded currencies globally and often correlates with this pair during the Tokyo session.

So when looking for trading opportunities in this timeframe, keep an eye on AUD/NZD as it offers good price excitability and potential profits.

AUD/JPY

One of the best forex pairs to trade during this session is AUD/JPY. This pair offers excellent opportunities for traders due to its higher volatility and active trading during this time.

The AUD/JPY is known for its correlation with the Japanese yen, making it particularly attractive during this session when both markets are active. Traders looking to diversify their portfolios can benefit from trading the AUD/JPY during this time, as it provides unique trading opportunities and potential profits in a dynamic market environment.

Some important facts to consider about AUD/JPY are:

- The AUD/JPY one part of the currency pairs that experience notable movements during the Asian session, including JPY pairs like USD/JPY, NZD/JPY, and GBP/JPY.

- Commodity prices like gold and copper can influence the AUD/JPY exchange rate during the Asian session.

- The Australian market's activity adds further liquidity and potential price movement to the AUD/JPY pair during this time.

NZD/JPY

One of the best forex pairs to trade during this session is NZD/JPY. This pair combines the New Zealand dollar and the Japanese yen, two actively traded currencies during this time.

The Japanese yen is known for its status as the third most traded currency globally, making it a popular choice among forex traders. When trading NZD/JPY during this session, you can expect significant movements and price excitability, which present profit opportunities though not as many as the AUD/JPY.

Additionally, since both currencies are from Asia Pacific countries, their pairing offers an advantage in market conditions and price action compared to non-Asia Pacific pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD.

Factors to Consider When Choosing 

When selecting foreign exchange pairs, it is important to consider factors such as volatility, trading strategy, market news, and economic data releases.

Volatility

Volatility is a crucial factor to consider when trading during this session in forex. It refers to the rapid and significant price movements that pairs may experience within a given period.

During this session, volatility tends to be higher than at other times of the day, providing potential trading opportunities for those who can handle the increased risk.

For traders seeking excitement and potential quick profits, high-volatility exchange pairs like USD/JPY are ideal for this session. These pairs often exhibit sharp price swings and well-defined trends that can result in substantial gains if traded strategically.

However, it's important to remember that with high volatility comes higher risk, so proper risk management strategies should always be implemented.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more stable and predictable trading environment, low-volatility pairs like AUD/USD or NZD/USD may be more suitable during this session. These pairs tend to have smaller price movements, making it easier for traders looking for less chaotic market conditions.

Trading Strategy

One of the key factors to consider when trading during this session is your trading strategy. Whether you're day traderstrend tradersbreakout traders, or range traders, it's important to align your strategy with the characteristics of this session.

Exchange pairs like AUD/NZD, AUD/JPY, and NZD/JPY can offer potential opportunities for trend traders looking for higher volatility. These pairs tend to move more actively during this session and may exhibit strong trends that can be capitalized on.

On the other hand, breakout traders can take advantage of price movements by identifying key support and resistance levels and placing trades accordingly. Having clear entry and exit points is essential when executing your trades.

Implementing a solid risk management plan is also crucial in any trading strategy. Setting stop loss orders to protect against potential losses and taking profits at predetermined levels are effective ways to manage risk during any session.

Market News and Economic Data Releases

As a forex and crypto trader, staying updated with market news and economic data releases is crucial when choosing pairs to trade during this session. News events and economic indicators can significantly impact currency prices, creating trading opportunities or increasing market volatility.

For example, important economic data such as GDP reportsinterest rate decisions, or employment figures from countries in the region like Japan and Australia can influence their respective currencies.

I subscribe to the analyst desk for upto date commentaries on the news.

By watching upcoming news releases and studying their potential impact on the markets, traders can make more informed decisions about which currency pairs will likely experience price movements during the Asian session.

Tips for Trading During the Tokyo Session

Monitor economic news, use stop losses and take profits, implement proper risk management, and take advantage of overlaps with other trading sessions.

Monitor Economic News

As a forex and crypto trader, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest economic news during the Asian session. Economic data releases can significantly impact currency pairs, causing price fluctuations and creating trading opportunities.

Monitor key economic indicators such as GDP reports, central bank statements, interest rate decisions, and employment data. These events can provide valuable insights into market trends and potential shifts in investor sentiment

For example, during this session, traders often pay close attention to news coming out of Japan news since the Japanese yen is one of the major currencies traded. Additionally, announcements from other countries in the region, like Australia or New Zealand, could also affect related currency pairs.

Economic News Calendar

Adapt the following calendar to whatever country you want for upcoming news events. See the icon in the top left hand corner:


Use Stop Losses and Take Profits

One essential risk management strategy that every forex and crypto trader should implement during the Asian session or any trading session is stopping losses and taking profits. These help protect your investments by automatically closing trades at predetermined levels, whether to limit potential losses or secure profits.

Setting a stop loss establishes a point at which you will exit a trade if the market moves against you. This prevents emotions from clouding judgment and ensures you maintain discipline in managing risk.

Similarly, taking profits allows you to lock in gains when the market reaches a favourable level without constant monitoring. By incorporating the stop loss into your trading strategy, you can effectively manage risk and increase the chances of long-term success during the Asian session's unique trading conditions.

Implement Proper Risk Management

As a forex or crypto trader, it is crucial to implement proper risk management during the Asian session. This trading period may offer lower liquidity and volatility compared to other sessions, but that doesn't mean you can afford to take unnecessary risks.

By setting stop losses and take profits, managing your leverage effectively, and diversifying your portfolio, you can minimize potential losses while maximizing profit opportunities. Remember that the slower pace of the Asian session allows for more measured decision-making and careful execution of trades.

So don't underestimate the importance of implementing proper risk management strategies to avoid high risk when trading this or any other time frame. 

Take Advantage of Overlaps with Other Trading Sessions

During the Asian trading session, forex and crypto traders must remain alert to the overlaps with other trading sessions, such as the London session. These overlaps can provide additional opportunities for profit by increasing market activity and volatility.

For example, the Tokyo session's last hour coincides with the European session's first hour, creating a potential window of increased price action. By being aware of these overlaps and taking advantage of them, traders can capitalize on the best time for potentially higher trading volumes and more significant price movements.

Understanding how these overlaps affect specific currency pairs can help traders identify optimal trade entry and exit points. So watch for these session overlaps to optimize your trading strategy during the Asian session!

Conclusion

In conclusion, when trading during the Asian session, focusing on forex pairs with good volatility and well-formed trends is important. The AUD/NZD, AUD/JPY, NZD/JPY, USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD/USD pairs are some of the best choices for traders.

By considering factors such as liquiditymarket news, and economic data releases, forex traders can maximize their trading opportunities and make informed profitable decisions during the Asian session.

FAQs

1. Which are the best forex pairs to trade during the Asian session?

The best forex pairs to trade during the Asian session include USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD/USD. These pairs tend to have higher liquidity and volatility during this time.

2. Why are these forex pairs recommended for trading during the Asian session?

These forex pairs are recommended for trading during the Asian session because they involve currencies from major regional economies and their central banks, such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The activity of these economies influences price movements, providing ample trading opportunities.

3. Do specific factors or events impact these forex pairs during the Asian session?

Yes, certain factors can impact these forex pairs during the Asian session. Economic data releases from Japan and other countries in the region, geopolitical developments, and market sentiment can all influence their performance.

4. Can I trade other currency pairs from those mentioned during the Asian session?

While USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD/USD are commonly traded during the Asian session due to their regional significance, traders can also explore other currency pairs based on their strategies and preferences. It is important to consider liquidity and volatility levels for optimal trading conditions.

About the Author john chiogna

John Chiogna invests and trades in Forex and Crypto regularly. John has been and investor in Crypto since 2016. He has been trading for over 15 years and enjoys learning new methods of trading that he passes on to others. His trading style includes both technicals and fundamentals.

He has tried all sorts of methods and systems, discerning what works from what doesn't. He presently trades a managed account as well as his own funds.

He follows the news using such professional resources as financialsource.io and Bloomberg. He combines the daily sentiment and his extensive knowledge of technical indicators to make consistent profits in the markets.

He publishes his articles on trading regularly on both the blog and youtube.
These articles are structured using AI, fact checked and then humanized using his professional experience.

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