Prop Firm News Filters: How Economic Events Impact Evaluation Rules
News filters exist for one reason: prop firms don’t want traders blowing out accounts during high-impact economic events. Big reports create volatility spikes and slippage that can wreck accounts instantly. This page breaks down exactly how prop firm news rules work so you don’t get clipped by a preventable violation.
What News Filters Actually Restrict
News filters either restrict entering trades OR holding trades during certain economic releases. The specifics depend on the firm, but the structure is always similar.
- No opening new trades before the event
- No holding active trades into the event
- Some firms ban both entering and holding
Filters are most aggressive during reports that historically move markets hard. If you want to see how firms handle risk outside of news, read their contract suspension rules.
Major Reports That Trigger News Filters
Not all events matter. Prop firms focus on the market movers.
| Report | Impact |
|---|---|
| NFP (Non-Farm Payrolls) | Extreme volatility in indexes, gold, USD pairs |
| CPI / Inflation Data | Massive re-pricing across markets |
| FOMC Rate Decisions | Sharp swings and liquidity gaps |
| GDP | Moderate volatility depending on context |
| PMI Reports | Short-term spikes |
How Firms Enforce News Filters
Most enforcement is automated. Firms use time-stamped order data and platform logs to catch violations down to the second.
- Entry time is checked against the restricted window
- Open positions at the event time are flagged
- Market executions during restricted minutes are reviewed
Some firms use buffered windows — for example, five minutes before and five minutes after.
Why Traders Violate News Filters
Most violations happen because traders misunderstand the timing. Reports are released at exact times, not approximate windows.
- Confusing Eastern vs. Central vs. platform time
- Assuming low-impact reports don’t matter
- Holding runners without checking the calendar
If you’re swinging positions, combine this with the guide on weekend holding restrictions.
How to Trade Safely Around News
You don’t avoid news — you plan for it.
- Always use an economic calendar
- Close early if you’re unsure about the window
- Avoid scaling in near event times
- Check your prop firm’s restricted list weekly
The Bottom Line
News filters aren’t negotiable. Violating them gets your account clipped fast. Learn the report times, respect the restrictions, and protect your evaluation so you don’t blow the account on something that wasn’t even part of your strategy.