It is no secret that economic news can move the forex market dramatically. Whether it is interest rate decisions, job data, or inflation reports, traders often look to these events for powerful momentum. But in the excitement, one thing often gets overlooked, the impact these events have on spreads.
While many focus on price movement and direction, fewer pay attention to what they are paying to enter and exit trades. Yet during high-impact events, trading costs can surge if you are not careful. Understanding how to approach news releases and still secure the best Forex spreads can make all the difference in both execution and outcome.
Why spreads behave differently around news?
Spreads do not remain the same throughout the day. They respond to changes in market activity, especially during volatile moments. When a major economic release is about to hit, liquidity providers tend to back off. They know the market could move rapidly in either direction, and quoting prices becomes riskier.
As a result, spreads often widen before the actual news is released. What might usually be a tight 0.2 pip spread on EUR/USD can easily stretch to a full pip or more just minutes before the announcement. If you are entering a position during this time, you are already starting at a disadvantage.
Once the numbers are out, volatility usually explodes. Price can jump in seconds, and spreads often follow. Even brokers that normally offer the best Forex spreads may allow those spreads to increase significantly for a brief period. This is not because they want to charge more, but because they are passing on the uncertainty from their liquidity sources.
Trading right after the release can be dangerous. While the temptation to catch a breakout is strong, the reality is that your order may face slippage, delays, or fill at a worse price due to the wide spread.
The smarter approach is to wait. Often, spreads begin to settle shortly after the first wave of orders is processed. Within one or two minutes, pricing usually becomes more stable. This window is when conditions normalize, and traders can operate with tighter control.
Choosing your timing carefully
There are three windows around an economic release that matter. The first is the lead-up period. This is when spreads begin to widen, and it is generally not the best time to open a position. The second is the moment of release, which is full of fast movement and unpredictable costs. The third is the recovery window, where spreads begin to shrink again.
If you are trying to capture clean entries with minimal cost, the recovery window is your best opportunity. It allows you to analyze the direction, wait for confirmation, and trade with better pricing. Many experienced traders use this exact approach to catch the same moves while still benefiting from the best Forex spreads available after the spike.
How brokers differ during high-impact events
Not all brokers behave the same way during major economic news. Some will maintain spreads within a reasonable range. Others may increase them to levels that make trading nearly impossible. This difference usually comes down to broker infrastructure, the number of liquidity providers they work with, and whether they offer direct market access.
Traders who want to protect their capital during high-volatility sessions should test how their broker performs in real time. It can be helpful to use a demo account during live news and watch how spreads behave on your platform. This gives you a preview of how your broker manages volatility and whether they truly provide the best Forex spreads when it matters most.
Avoiding common mistakes
A common mistake is placing pending orders too close to an economic release. Even if price touches your level, execution might occur at a very different price due to a widened spread. Another is holding positions without a clear exit plan, only to get caught in a post-news price reversal where the cost of exiting becomes unexpectedly high.
Having a clear plan that includes spread awareness is just as important as having the right technical setup.
Trading around economic releases is full of potential, but it also carries unique challenges. One of the most significant is managing your spread costs. By waiting for the market to stabilize, choosing reliable brokers, and knowing how pricing reacts before and after the news, you can position yourself more effectively.
The best Forex spreads are not always available during the peak of volatility. But with patience, observation, and the right approach, they are absolutely within reach when the time is right.
