The three sessions, handing off liquidity
Session times (New York / ET reference)
| Session | Reference window (ET) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | ~8:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Builds the early range |
| London | ~2:00 AM – 5:00 AM | Expansion, manipulation, sweeps |
| New York AM | ~7:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Cleanest delivery |
These are widely used reference windows ("killzones"), not exact rules — they drift with daylight saving and your broker's clock, so confirm them on your own chart. Many traders also key off the 2AM, 6AM and 10AM New York times as the opens of the relevant 4-hour candles.
What each session does
Asia — the range builder
- Builds the early range and the first highs and lows.
- Helps frame where later liquidity is resting.
- Often sets the trap that London or New York runs.
London — expansion & manipulation
- Expansion, manipulation and liquidity sweeps.
- Important for the 2AM New York logic.
- Can create the first major directional clue of the day.
New York — delivery
- The highest-attention session for NQ and ES.
- The 6AM and 10AM New York candles matter most.
- Often delivers continuation, reversal, or a liquidity run — best traded with a plan built before the move.
Why session structure matters
Treating every session the same is the mistake. Each one creates or attacks liquidity, and the levels left behind become the targets for the next. Combine the session map with a daily bias and execution tools like FVGs and IFVGs, and you stop reacting to candles and start anticipating where price is likely headed.