Trading NFP and High-Impact News
High-impact releases like US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), CPI and central bank decisions move markets dozens of pips in seconds. Around them spreads widen, slippage grows and stops can fill far from their level. Some brokers also cut leverage or raise margin. If you trade news, size much smaller, avoid tight stops in the first minutes, and know your broker's rules; XM Global says it keeps leverage unchanged during news.
The releases that move FX most
| Release | Typical timing | Mostly moves |
|---|---|---|
| US Non-Farm Payrolls | First Friday of the month | USD pairs, gold, indices |
| US CPI (inflation) | Monthly | USD pairs, gold, indices |
| FOMC rate decision | About every six weeks | Everything USD |
| ECB, BoE, BoJ decisions | Scheduled | EUR, GBP, JPY pairs |
| GDP, retail sales, PMIs | Monthly / quarterly | Local currency |
Times and forecasts are on the economic calendar; see how to read it.
What happens to trading conditions
- Spreads widen sharply in the minute before and after. A 1-pip spread can become several pips (spread basics).
- Slippage. Market and stop orders fill at the next available price.
- Gaps. Price can skip levels entirely, so pending orders and stops can fill well beyond their level.
- Leverage or margin changes at some brokers. XM Global says it keeps leverage at up to 1000:1 during such events (XM review); others publish temporary margin increases.
Worked example: a stop that slips
You’re short 1 lot of EUR/USD with a 15-pip stop ($150 risk). NFP surprises; the first tick after the release is 35 pips above your entry. Your stop fills there: −$350, more than twice your plan. At 0.20 lots the same event costs $70, close to the $50 you’d have accepted with a normal-day 25-pip stop.
Approaches
- Stay out. Close or reduce positions before the release, re-enter after spreads normalise. Simplest and often best.
- Trade the reaction. Wait 5–15 minutes, then trade the direction that has formed, with normal spreads.
- Trade the release. Pending orders either side of price. Expect slippage and spread costs; size very small.
Protecting the account
- Halve or quarter your usual size (risk management).
- Keep free margin high so a spike can’t trigger a stop out (margin level).
- Make sure your broker offers negative balance protection.
- Check your broker’s terms on news trading and price errors (withdrawal refusals).
High Leverage Forex Brokers 2026
| Broker | Leverage conditions | Min deposit | Visit broker | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 XMFeatured | 4.9/5Editorial rating | 1,000:1 | 1000:1 up to $40,000 equity | ✓ | $5 | Visit |
 Vantage | 4.3/5 | Unlimited | Premium Unlimited account: unlimited under $5,000 equity | ✓ | $50 | Visit |
 FXGT | 4.1/5 | 5,000:1 | Optimus account at under $1,000 equity, after 5 GT lots an… | ✓ | $0 | Visit |
 BigBoss | 3.2/5 | 2,222:1 | Deluxe/OMEGA up to 2222:1 | ✓ | No minimum deposit | Visit |
 Exness | 4.2/5 | 2,000:1 | Unlimited only with equity under $5,000 after 10 closed or… | ✓ | Standard from about $10 | Visit |
 HFM | 4.1/5 | 2,000:1 | selected accounts | ✓ | $0 | Visit |
 XS.com | 4.1/5 | 2,000:1 | Dynamic: 1:2000 on FX majors/minors and gold at low equity… | ✓ | No minimum | Visit |
 Titan FX | 3.7/5 | 2,000:1 | Zero Micro up to 2000:1 | ✓ | No minimum | Visit |
 easyMarkets | 3.7/5 | 2,000:1 | Up to 2000:1 for eligible non-EU clients | ✓ | $25 | Visit |
 AXIORY | 3.4/5 | 2,000:1 | 1:2000 on Max up to $500 total equity, 1:1000 on Nano/Stan… | ✓ | $10 | Visit |
 Axi | 3.5/5 | 1,000:1 | Up to 1000:1, depending on your country of residence | ✗ | No fixed account minimum | Visit |
Related
Frequently asked questions
When is NFP released?
Usually on the first Friday of the month at 8:30 am New York time, with exceptions around holidays. Check the economic calendar for the exact date.
Why did my stop-loss fill so far away?
In a fast market there may be no prices between your stop level and the next quote. The stop becomes a market order and fills at the next available price.
Do brokers lower leverage during news?
Some do, by policy. XM Global says its leverage stays the same during events such as the US jobs report, rather than being cut.
Is news trading allowed?
Generally, yes. What brokers prohibit is exploiting delayed prices or price errors around releases, not trading the news itself.