For traders using Topstep, one of the most common questions is: “Topstep, can you trade news?” Understanding Topstep’s news trading policy is essential for protecting your funded account, avoiding rule violations, and maintaining consistent trading performance.
Economic news releases often cause extreme volatility in futures markets, which can lead to sudden slippage, large spreads, and unpredictable price movements. Because of this, Topstep applies specific news trading restrictions that traders must follow to ensure fair and risk-controlled environments.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what news trading means at Topstep, when you can trade, when you must stay flat, and strategies to navigate these events safely.
What Does “Trading News” Mean in Topstep?
In futures trading, news trading refers to opening or closing positions during or immediately before high-impact economic announcements such as:
These events can trigger massive price swings in seconds, leading to increased risk exposure. Because Topstep aims to simulate real-world trading discipline, it enforces news restrictions during certain high-impact announcements.
Can You Trade News in Topstep?
The short answer is no, you generally cannot trade during major scheduled economic news releases on Topstep.
Topstep requires all traders to be flat (no open positions) during restricted news periods. This rule helps protect both traders and the firm from uncontrollable slippage and market spikes that can instantly breach daily loss limits.
For instance, if the Non-Farm Payrolls report is scheduled for 8:30 AM ET, you must close all positions at least one minute before the release and remain flat for at least one minute after.
Failing to comply with this rule can result in a violation that may disqualify your funded account or evaluation progress.
Why Topstep Restricts News Trading
Topstep’s no-news-trading policy is based on risk management best practices. Here’s why:
By avoiding high-impact news periods, Topstep ensures traders focus on skill, discipline, and risk control — qualities that reflect real institutional trading behavior.
How to Check Which News Events Are Restricted
Topstep provides a News Restriction Calendar listing all economic events that fall under trading restrictions.
To stay compliant:
Additionally, you can use tools like:
Always cross-check event times and confirm market hours for your futures product (e.g., ES, NQ, CL, or 6E).
Which Products Are Affected by News Restrictions?
News restrictions typically apply to futures contracts directly impacted by the announcement. For example:
Economic Event Affected Markets Non-Farm PayrollsEquity Indexes (ES, NQ, YM), USD FuturesCrude Oil InventoriesCL, MCLFOMC Rate DecisionsES, NQ, 6E, ZBCPI / Inflation DataES, 6E, Gold
If you’re trading a product not influenced by the news (e.g., grains during a USD event), restrictions may not apply — but it’s always safer to confirm with Topstep’s official guidelines.
What Happens If You Trade During a News Event?
Violating the news trading rule can result in serious consequences, such as:
Topstep emphasizes discipline and transparency. Even accidental violations can affect your standing, so always double-check event schedules before trading.
How to Manage Your Trades Around News
Here are some pro tips to handle news restrictions effectively:
Example: News Restriction in Action
Let’s say you’re trading the E-mini S&P 500 (ES) and the CPI report is due at 8:30 AM ET.
Failing to follow this timeline will trigger a news violation, even if your trade is profitable.
Should You Ever Trade News as a Strategy?
While some traders profit from volatility spikes, Topstep prioritizes disciplined, process-driven trading. News trading is inherently unpredictable, relying on reaction speed rather than strategy execution.
If your goal is to become a consistent professional trader, it’s better to:
Final Thoughts
So, Topstep can you trade news? — The answer is no for high-impact events. Topstep’s rules are designed to promote long-term discipline, not short-term gambling on volatile releases.
By respecting news restrictions, you show risk awareness — a core skill every funded trader must demonstrate. Always check Topstep’s news calendar, manage positions responsibly, and avoid trading during restricted periods.
Remember: consistency, discipline, and patience are the traits that turn evaluation accounts into successful funded traders.
Economic news releases often cause extreme volatility in futures markets, which can lead to sudden slippage, large spreads, and unpredictable price movements. Because of this, Topstep applies specific news trading restrictions that traders must follow to ensure fair and risk-controlled environments.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what news trading means at Topstep, when you can trade, when you must stay flat, and strategies to navigate these events safely.
What Does “Trading News” Mean in Topstep?
In futures trading, news trading refers to opening or closing positions during or immediately before high-impact economic announcements such as:
- Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
- Federal Reserve interest rate decisions
- CPI (Consumer Price Index) releases
- GDP data
- FOMC statements
- Unemployment claims
These events can trigger massive price swings in seconds, leading to increased risk exposure. Because Topstep aims to simulate real-world trading discipline, it enforces news restrictions during certain high-impact announcements.
Can You Trade News in Topstep?
The short answer is no, you generally cannot trade during major scheduled economic news releases on Topstep.
Topstep requires all traders to be flat (no open positions) during restricted news periods. This rule helps protect both traders and the firm from uncontrollable slippage and market spikes that can instantly breach daily loss limits.
For instance, if the Non-Farm Payrolls report is scheduled for 8:30 AM ET, you must close all positions at least one minute before the release and remain flat for at least one minute after.
Failing to comply with this rule can result in a violation that may disqualify your funded account or evaluation progress.
Why Topstep Restricts News Trading
Topstep’s no-news-trading policy is based on risk management best practices. Here’s why:
- Extreme Volatility: Prices can move dozens of ticks within milliseconds after a major announcement.
- Slippage Risk: Orders may execute far from expected levels, breaching loss limits.
- Unfair Advantage Prevention: Some traders use news-trading bots or latency arbitrage, which Topstep discourages.
- Consistency Rule Enforcement: The platform promotes consistency, not luck-based trades on unpredictable events.
By avoiding high-impact news periods, Topstep ensures traders focus on skill, discipline, and risk control — qualities that reflect real institutional trading behavior.
How to Check Which News Events Are Restricted
Topstep provides a News Restriction Calendar listing all economic events that fall under trading restrictions.
To stay compliant:
- Visit Topstep’s official News Calendar.
- Filter for Red-Level (High-Impact) events.
- Note the release time and ensure all trades are closed before the restricted window.
Additionally, you can use tools like:
- ForexFactory Calendar
- Investing.com Economic Calendar
- MarketWatch Economic Schedule
Always cross-check event times and confirm market hours for your futures product (e.g., ES, NQ, CL, or 6E).
Which Products Are Affected by News Restrictions?
News restrictions typically apply to futures contracts directly impacted by the announcement. For example:
Economic Event Affected Markets Non-Farm PayrollsEquity Indexes (ES, NQ, YM), USD FuturesCrude Oil InventoriesCL, MCLFOMC Rate DecisionsES, NQ, 6E, ZBCPI / Inflation DataES, 6E, Gold
If you’re trading a product not influenced by the news (e.g., grains during a USD event), restrictions may not apply — but it’s always safer to confirm with Topstep’s official guidelines.
What Happens If You Trade During a News Event?
Violating the news trading rule can result in serious consequences, such as:
- Evaluation Reset: In practice or Combine accounts, your progress may reset.
- Account Termination: In a funded account, violations can lead to disqualification.
- Loss of Eligibility for Payouts: You may forfeit profits earned during restricted periods.
Topstep emphasizes discipline and transparency. Even accidental violations can affect your standing, so always double-check event schedules before trading.
How to Manage Your Trades Around News
Here are some pro tips to handle news restrictions effectively:
- Use Alerts: Set economic event alerts 10–15 minutes before releases.
- Close Trades Early: Avoid waiting until the last minute; volatility can start before the news.
- Avoid Re-Entry Too Soon: Wait until volatility subsides and spreads stabilize.
- Review Performance: Track how news impacts your strategy — you may adjust your approach for smoother equity curves.
Example: News Restriction in Action
Let’s say you’re trading the E-mini S&P 500 (ES) and the CPI report is due at 8:30 AM ET.
- At 8:29 AM, you must be completely flat.
- Between 8:29–8:31 AM, trading is not allowed.
- At 8:31 AM or later, once volatility settles, you can safely re-enter the market.
Failing to follow this timeline will trigger a news violation, even if your trade is profitable.
Should You Ever Trade News as a Strategy?
While some traders profit from volatility spikes, Topstep prioritizes disciplined, process-driven trading. News trading is inherently unpredictable, relying on reaction speed rather than strategy execution.
If your goal is to become a consistent professional trader, it’s better to:
- Study post-news price reactions
- Wait for retracements or breakouts after volatility cools
- Focus on setups with measurable risk-to-reward ratios
Final Thoughts
So, Topstep can you trade news? — The answer is no for high-impact events. Topstep’s rules are designed to promote long-term discipline, not short-term gambling on volatile releases.
By respecting news restrictions, you show risk awareness — a core skill every funded trader must demonstrate. Always check Topstep’s news calendar, manage positions responsibly, and avoid trading during restricted periods.
Remember: consistency, discipline, and patience are the traits that turn evaluation accounts into successful funded traders.