Session Entry Times Explained

In Options Auto Trader, you can automate your trades to enter at specific times of the day using Session Entry Times. These sessions are divided into Morning, Lunch, and Afternoon time blocks, which allows you to tailor your trading strategy based on market activity during different times of the trading day. This article explains how session entry times work and how to set them up for your automated trading strategy.

Morning Session Entry


The Morning Session is from 8:30 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST. This period marks the market's open and is often characterized by high volatility and significant trading activity as traders react to overnight news, reports, and economic data.


Why Choose the Morning Session?

  • High volatility: The morning session is known for rapid price movements, making it ideal for traders looking to capitalize on early market action.
  • News reactions: Key economic reports and corporate earnings are often released in the morning, which can drive market movements.

Example:

You set your automated strategy to enter trades only during the Morning Session. Your bot will begin monitoring the market from 8:30 AM CST and will continue to look for trade setups until 11:00 AM CST. After 11:00 AM CST, no new trades will be entered until the next session.


Lunch Session Entry


The Lunch Session is from 11:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST. This period is typically calmer, with lower trading volume as many traders take a break. However, it can still present trading opportunities, especially if the market is trending.


Why Choose the Lunch Session?

  • Lower volatility: Some traders prefer less volatile times to enter positions more conservatively.
  • Continuation trades: If the market has set a direction in the morning, the lunch session can present opportunities to join a trend that has already been established.

Example:

You prefer to trade during quieter market conditions, so you set your auto trader to enter trades only during the Lunch Session. The bot will monitor the market between 11:00 AM CST and 1:00 PM CST and will enter trades if your strategy conditions are met.


Afternoon Session Entry


The Afternoon Session is from 1:00 PM CST to 3:00 PM CST. This is the final trading session before the market closes and is often characterized by increased trading activity as traders adjust positions before the end of the day.


Why Choose the Afternoon Session?

  • End-of-day movements: As the market prepares to close, there can be increased volatility and volume as traders finalize their positions.
  • Closing trades: Many institutional traders make large adjustments in the afternoon, which can create opportunities for price movements.

Example:

If you set your bot to trade only during the Afternoon Session, it will monitor the market and enter trades from 1:00 PM CST to 3:00 PM CST. This can be useful if you want to take advantage of late-day price movements.


How to Set Up Session Entry Times in Options Auto Trader


  1. Log into your Options Auto Trader account.
  2. Navigate to the Auto Trader Settings for the bot you want to configure.
  3. Under Session Entry Times, select the time block(s) you want your bot to use:
    • Morning Session (8:30 AM CST - 11:00 AM CST)
    • Lunch Session (11:00 AM CST - 1:00 PM CST)
    • Afternoon Session (1:00 PM CST - 3:00 PM CST)
  4. Save your settings.

Your bot will now automatically enter trades based on the session times you’ve selected. If you choose multiple sessions, the bot will look for trade setups during all the selected time periods.


Conclusion


Session Entry Times in Options Auto Trader allow you to automate trades during specific periods of the trading day, ensuring that your strategies are executed at the most favorable times based on your preferences. Whether you prefer the high volatility of the morning, the calm of the lunch session, or the increased activity of the afternoon, session entry times offer flexibility and control in automating your trading strategy.

If you have any questions or need help setting up session entry times, please reach out to our support team.

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