Markets Overview
RockGlobal provides access to a range of global markets through derivative instruments on MetaTrader 5. Each market behaves differently across trading sessions and around key events, which can affect liquidity, spreads, volatility and execution outcomes.
Risk notice: Derivatives are high-risk products. Prices can move rapidly and execution can vary in fast markets. Services may be limited by client type and jurisdiction.
Available markets on RockGlobal
Access popular markets across asset classes using CFDs, all from one MT5 platform.
Forex
Gold & Metals
Indices
Crypto CFDs
Share CFDs
Commodities
How to choose a market
How to choose a market to start with
Different markets suit different objectives and constraints. A practical way to choose is to match market behaviour to your time zone, risk tolerance, and familiarity with the drivers of price movement.
- Time availability: can you monitor positions during the market’s most liquid hours?
- Event exposure: are you comfortable with outcomes around economic releases or earnings?
- Volatility comfort: can you tolerate larger intraday price swings?
- Instrument mechanics: do you understand margin, leverage, and overnight costs where applicable?
Market hours and when conditions change
Trading conditions are influenced by when underlying markets are most active. Liquidity, spread, volatility and slippage can vary through the day and around major events.
Trading conditions are influenced by when underlying markets are most active. Liquidity, spread, volatility and slippage can vary through the day and around major events.
- Liquidity: how easily positions can be entered or exited without materially affecting price.
- Spread: the difference between bid and ask prices, which can widen when liquidity thins.
- Volatility: how much prices move over time, often higher around events.
- Slippage: the difference between expected and executed price, more likely in fast markets.
| Session | Approx. hours (UTC) |
|---|---|
Asia Window |
00:00–09:00 |
Europe Window |
07:00-16:00 |
US Window |
13:00-22:00 |
London–New York overlap |
13:00–16:00 |
Times are indicative and may vary due to daylight saving changes and market holidays. Some markets (eg crypto) trade continuously, but liquidity can still vary by time and venue.
Pricing and execution basics across markets
Share CFD pricing typically references the underlying share price, but total trading cost depends on several components including spreads, commissions (if applicable), and financing or rollover costs for positions held over time.
Click to expand
How prices are formed
Prices reflect available liquidity and active buying and selling interest. In some markets, prices are consolidated from multiple venues; in others they track centralised exchange activity. Prices can update quickly in volatile conditions.
Why spreads and execution vary
Spreads and execution outcomes can change due to liquidity conditions, time of day, and the speed of price movement. In fast markets, available liquidity can shift quickly.
Slippage and fast markets
Slippage can occur when prices move between order placement and execution. This is more likely around major announcements, market opens, or sudden liquidity changes.
Costs and holding considerations
Transaction costs
Costs can include spread and, for some instruments, commissions or minimum charges. Review the Trading Environment for details.
Overnight holding costs
Some instruments can incur financing or rollover costs when held beyond the trading day. These costs depend on product structure and prevailing funding conditions.
Corporate actions and adjustments
For share-linked products, dividends and corporate actions may be reflected through adjustments rather than direct entitlements. See the Share CFDs page for specifics.
Risks and practical risk controls
- Leverage risk: small market moves can have outsized impact.
- Event or Gap risk: markets can reprice quickly around announcements or opens.
- Liquidity risk: spreads may widen and slippage may increase.
- Concentration risk: single-market or single-name exposure can be volatile.
Practical risk controls
Practical risk controls to understand: position sizing, using limit and stop-loss orders where appropriate, checking margin requirements, and reviewing contract specifications before trading.
Start here on MetaTrader 5
Build a watchlist by market (Forex, Indices, Metals, Shares, Crypto).
Open contract specifications before placing an order.
Use order types appropriately (market, limit, stop) and confirm volume and risk settings.
Monitor positions during the market’s most active hours.
FAQs
RockGlobal offers access to multiple market types, including Forex, indices, metals, share CFDs and crypto CFDs, subject to eligibility and contract specifications.
No. Many markets follow exchange hours, while crypto markets trade continuously. Liquidity can still vary by time and venue.
Spreads can widen when liquidity thins, uncertainty increases, or prices move quickly.
Yes. Slippage can occur in fast markets or when liquidity changes between order placement and execution.
Review contract specifications in MT5 and the Trading Environment page for current details.
See the Risk Disclosure and relevant market pages for product-specific risks and mechanics.
Learn More
Sources
BIS: https://www.bis.org
IOSCO: https://www.iosco.org
Major exchanges and index providers (as relevant to specific market pages).