Most CME Globex futures trade from Sunday 6:00 p.m. ET to Friday 5:00 p.m. ET, with a daily one-hour break from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET. That covers equity index (ES, NQ, YM, RTY and their micros), crude oil, gold, Treasury and currency futures. The most liquid periods are the US cash session (9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET for index futures), major 8:30 a.m. ET data releases, and the London morning for currencies and metals.
Futures trade nearly around the clock on weekdays, which is one of their biggest advantages. It also means you need to know when liquidity is deep, when it's thin, and when the market is closed for holidays.
Standard CME Globex hours (Eastern Time)
| Market | Examples | Hours (ET) | Daily break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity index | ES, MES, NQ, MNQ, YM, MYM, RTY, M2K | Sun 6:00 p.m. – Fri 5:00 p.m. | 5:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Energy | CL, MCL, NG | Sun 6:00 p.m. – Fri 5:00 p.m. | 5:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Metals | GC, MGC, SI, HG | Sun 6:00 p.m. – Fri 5:00 p.m. | 5:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Interest rates | ZN, ZB, ZF, SOFR | Sun 6:00 p.m. – Fri 5:00 p.m. | 5:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Currencies | 6E, 6B, 6J, M6E | Sun 6:00 p.m. – Fri 5:00 p.m. | 5:00–6:00 p.m. |
| Agriculture | ZC, ZS, ZW | Shorter sessions with a midday break | Varies |
Always confirm on the CME contract specification page. Hours can differ for specific products and holidays. VIX futures trade on Cboe's CFE with their own schedule. See VIX futures explained.
When futures are most active
| Window (ET) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. | Asian session: thinner for US index futures; Asian data can move markets |
| 3:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | European open: currencies, Bunds and metals pick up |
| 8:30 a.m. | US data (CPI, jobs, retail sales): sharp moves |
| 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | US cash open: peak volume for index futures |
| 10:00 a.m. | More US data (ISM, confidence, JOLTS) |
| 2:00 p.m. | FOMC decisions (eight times a year) |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Into the cash close |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Post-close: earnings reactions in thin trading |
Most retail index futures day traders focus on 9:30–11:30 a.m. ET, when liquidity is deepest and ranges are clearest. Dow futures explains how overnight futures prices show the likely opening level.
Score the Setup Before You Take It
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On US holidays, CME futures often trade a shortened session instead of closing entirely, with an early halt. Around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, liquidity is thin and ranges can be erratic. Check the CME holiday calendar each year, and see stock market hours and holidays for the matching cash market calendar.
Daylight saving time
CME hours are set in Central Time (Chicago). US daylight saving changes shift everything together for US traders. But UK and EU traders see a one-hour shift for a week or two in March and October/November, when Europe and the US change clocks on different dates.
Practical rules
- Know your dollars per point before trading thin overnight sessions. Spreads can widen.
- Prop firm traders: most firms require you to be flat before a set time (for example 4:10 p.m. ET at Topstep). Check your firm's rules. See best futures prop firms.
- Avoid entering during the 5:00 p.m. reopen or right before data releases unless it's part of your plan.
- Log the session of every trade. Many traders find their overnight trades are unprofitable.
TRADZY's session analytics split your results by time of day and session, so you can see exactly which hours your futures edge lives in.
FAQ
What time do futures open on Sunday?
Most CME Globex futures open at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Do futures trade 24 hours a day?
Nearly. Most CME futures trade about 23 hours a day from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon, with a daily one-hour break from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET.
What is the best time to trade ES futures?
The US cash session, especially 9:30–11:30 a.m. ET, has the most volume. The 8:30 a.m. ET data releases and 2:00 p.m. ET FOMC decisions also produce big moves.
Are futures open on holidays?
On many US holidays, CME futures trade a shortened session with an early close rather than closing entirely. Check the CME holiday schedule.
Why do futures stop trading at 5 p.m. ET?
The daily one-hour break is used for maintenance and to start the next trading day's session. Settlement and clearing processes run around it.
Put This Into Practice
- Score your next setup 0–100 with the Void Engine before entering
- Log the trade and tag the setup in the TradLog
- Review weekly: keep what pays, cut what doesn't
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Educational content, not financial advice. Trading involves substantial risk of loss.