Trading hours (Eastern Time)
A trading day runs from 6:00 PM to 4:55 PM the next day. A new day starts at 6:00 PM.
Close every position by 4:55 PM. Anything still open is liquidated automatically, and the resulting profit or loss is yours.
From 4:55 PM to 6:00 PM the market is on its daily break: no orders can be placed or changed.
The market is closed from Friday 4:55 PM to Sunday 6:00 PM. Holiday closures are announced in advance.
No positions may be held through the 4:55 PM close. Live accounts must be flat at least 15 minutes before the close.
The 2% price-limit rule
Stop trading a market once it has moved beyond its CME daily price limit minus 2 percentage points, in either direction.
Example: a 10,000 reference price with a 7% limit. Stop at 10,000 × (1 + 7% − 2%) = 10,500, or 10,000 × (1 − 7% + 2%) = 9,500. Breaking this rule can lead to restriction or termination.