News trading is among the most exciting and potentially profitable forex strategies. For Indian traders, key events from the RBI, US Federal Reserve, and other central banks create tradeable opportunities at specific IST times. This guide covers strategies, timing, and risk management for news trading from India.
Warning: News trading is inherently volatile. Spreads can widen 5-10x during major announcements with common slippage. Not suitable for beginners. Master basic trading first.
Key Events for Indian Traders
| Event | IST Time | Pairs | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|
| US NFP | 6:00 PM (1st Fri) | USD, Gold | Very High |
| FOMC | 11:30 PM | USD, Gold | Extreme |
| RBI Policy | 10:00 AM | USD/INR | High |
| US CPI | 6:00 PM | USD, Gold | Very High |
| ECB Decision | 5:15 PM | EUR pairs | High |
Strategies
Straddle
Place pending buy and sell stops equidistant from current price 2-3 minutes before release. Whichever direction triggers, cancel the other. Tight stops (10-15 pips) with wider targets (30-50 pips).
Post-News Trend
The safest approach: wait 15-30 minutes for volatility to settle, identify the new trend direction, and enter with standard technical setup. You miss the spike but trade with much better risk control.
See our broker comparison for spread analysis during news, our beginner's guide for foundations, and our tax guide.
⚠ Risk Disclaimer
News trading involves extreme volatility and rapid price movements. Slippage and spread widening are common. 74-89% of retail traders lose money. Practice on demo first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most important event for Indian traders?
US Non-Farm Payrolls at 6:00 PM IST on the first Friday of each month. Moves all USD pairs and gold significantly.
Should beginners try news trading?
No. Requires fast execution, emotional control, and market understanding. Master basic technical trading first.
Do spreads really widen?
Yes, 5-10x during high-impact events. Normal across all brokers. Factor this into risk calculations.