Spot gold · XAU/USD
Is the gold market open
Tracking forex session liquidity for gold Retail spot gold follows the global 24/5 forex schedule
When is the best time to trade gold?
Peak XAU/USD liquidity aligns with the London session and the London–New York overlap (13:00–17:00 UTC in winter, 12:00–16:00 UTC in summer). That is when spreads are tightest and USD moves from US data often drive gold. See London gold session and New York gold hours for session detail.
- 24/5Spot schedule
- 13–17UTC peak overlap
- 10:30London AM fix
- 5 PMFriday New York close
Live Sessions — Gold Liquidity
Spot gold volume follows these forex sessions — the same clock as the live forex hours.
Spot gold vs COMEX futures
Spot XAU/USD on forex and CFD brokers typically follows the same 24/5 schedule as major currency pairs. When our live status shows forex as open, you can usually trade spot gold on those platforms.
COMEX gold futures (GC) on CME Globex trade nearly 23 hours per day with a short daily maintenance halt (about 5:00–6:00 PM ET). See New York gold trading hours for futures detail.
Why session timing matters for gold
Gold is priced in US dollars, so USD strength, real yields, and risk sentiment move XAU/USD. London brings European bank and ETF flows; New York adds COMEX activity and US macro releases (CPI, NFP, FOMC).
Thin Asian liquidity can mean wider spreads and sharper spikes on little news. Many traders focus on London open through the NY overlap for gold.
Gold Market Hours FAQ
Is the gold market open today?
If today is Monday–Friday, before the Friday 5:00 PM New York close, spot gold on most brokers is open. It is closed Saturday and Sunday before that open. In winter the close is 22:00 UTC; in summer it is 21:00 UTC. Use the live indicator at the top of this page.
Is gold open on Christmas or New Year?
Technically the decentralized spot market can stay open, but liquidity collapses when London and New York banks are closed. Spreads widen sharply; many traders stand aside. See our holiday calendar.
What is the London gold fix?
LBMA publishes benchmark gold prices at 10:30 and 15:00 London time. Institutional hedging around these windows can move XAU/USD briefly. Details on the London gold session page.