Low Liquidity, Wide Spreads, and Unexpected Price Swings

One of the biggest challenges during Christmas Eve trading is wider spreads. With fewer market makers and reduced trading volume, brokers often widen spreads to manage risk. This can increase trading costs and make short term trades less attractive.
Another risk is unusual price swings, sometimes called “flash moves.” In low liquidity conditions, a relatively small order can push prices sharply higher or lower. These moves may not reflect real market sentiment, but they can still trigger stop losses or margin issues.
Forex pairs that usually trade smoothly may suddenly feel unstable. Even major pairs like EUR/USD or USD/JPY can show erratic behavior, confusing traders who expect normal conditions. This is why many experienced traders avoid opening new positions during holiday sessions.
Understanding these mechanics helps traders avoid unnecessary losses caused not by poor analysis, but by poor timing.