Commodity Market Timings in India

Trading commodities is a high-stakes game where precision and timing matter the most. To gain the advantage, you need to do more than just know the markets; you need to know when to act. Commodity prices tend to be very volatile, which makes market timing a crucial factor for success.

No matter how good your analysis is, making money in the commodity markets can get tedious without knowing when to enter a trade or exit it. A successful trader would have the ability to time their entry and exit, locking in profits at the right moments.

What is Commodity Market Timing in India?

Commodity markets don't follow the same schedule as the stock market. The commodity market timing varies depending on the commodity. Knowing this can help traders make the right decisions and maximize profits.

There are three major trading regions for the commodity markets:
  • Asian
  • European
  • American

Ideal Time for Commodity Trading

The commodity market operates based on trading sessions. The opening and closing times depend on the commodity being traded:

Normal Trading Hours

• Morning Session: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Evening Session: 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM/11:55 PM

Pre-market Session

The pre-market session (8:45 AM to 8:59 AM) allows traders to cancel pending orders exclusively on the MCX.

Muhurat Trading Session

A special one-hour session on Diwali (typically 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM) believed to bring prosperity.

Trading Hours for Major Commodity Exchanges

Commodities CategoryCommodity Market Timing
Agricultural Commodities9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Non-Agricultural Commodities9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (with DST) / 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (without DST)
BullionMonday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (with DST) / 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (without DST)
MetalsMonday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (with DST) / 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (without DST)
EnergyMonday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (with DST) / 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (without DST)

Factors Influencing Commodity Market Prices

Macroeconomic Indicators

Interest rates, inflation, and currency strength all affect commodity pricing.

Supply and Demand

The fundamental driver of prices, influenced by weather and production levels.

Geopolitical Events

Political unrest or trade tariffs can disrupt supply chains and influence prices.

Seasonality

Agricultural prices often follow harvest cycles, while energy follows weather patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

The commodity market typically opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM for agricultural commodities. Non-agricultural commodities are traded from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM or 11:55 PM depending on daylight saving time.

Commodity market timings vary depending on the region. The Asian, European, and American markets have different opening and closing times, which often overlap, affecting trading volumes and price movements.

Yes, the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) can change trading holidays based on their annual calendar. However, these are typically announced in advance to ensure traders are aware of non-trading days.

The trading hours for the MCX are based on Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC +5:30.

Yes, the MCX includes a pre-market session from 8:45 AM to 8:59 AM, allowing traders to cancel pending orders before the market officially opens. Post-closing sessions may occur occasionally based on specific conditions or holidays.

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