What time the high and low of the day form on the Dow Jones
Data: March 16, 2026 – October 26, 2026. Last updated: October 27, 2026.
When during the regular trading hours (RTH) session does the Dow Jones make the highest and lowest price of the day? I calculated it for Dow Jones futures (MYM) in half-hour intervals.
The key number
In 82.1% of sessions the high or low of the day formed in the first hour (9:30–10:30 AM New York, 3:30–4:30 PM Warsaw). The high alone in the first hour: 46.8%, the low alone: 41.0%.
High and low of the day in half-hour intervals
| New York | Warsaw | High of the day | Low of the day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30–10:00 | 15:30–16:00 | 36.5% | 32.7% |
| 10:00–10:30 | 16:00–16:30 | 10.3% | 8.3% |
| 10:30–11:00 | 16:30–17:00 | 9.0% | 8.3% |
| 11:00–11:30 | 17:00–17:30 | 7.7% | 10.3% |
| 11:30–12:00 | 17:30–18:00 | 3.8% | 2.6% |
| 12:00–12:30 | 18:00–18:30 | 4.5% | 3.2% |
| 12:30–13:00 | 18:30–19:00 | 2.6% | 4.5% |
| 13:00–13:30 | 19:00–19:30 | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| 13:30–14:00 | 19:30–20:00 | 2.6% | 2.6% |
| 14:00–14:30 | 20:00–20:30 | 2.6% | 2.6% |
| 14:30–15:00 | 20:30–21:00 | 1.3% | 3.2% |
| 15:00–15:30 | 21:00–21:30 | 3.8% | 5.8% |
| 15:30–16:00 | 21:30–22:00 | 12.2% | 12.8% |
The distribution is U-shaped: most extremes form at the open, and a second, smaller jump comes in the last 30 minutes (12.2% of highs and 12.8% of lows). Between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM New York (5:30–9:00 PM Warsaw) only about 21.2% of highs and lows formed in total.
In the weeks when the US and Europe change clocks on different dates, Warsaw times are one hour earlier.
What it means
- the open is the most important part of the day: that is usually where one of the session's extreme prices is set
- a new high or low in the middle of the day is rare, so it is worth knowing what caused it (data, a Fed statement, end-of-day flows)
- the last 30 minutes come alive again: this is when positions are closed and closing flows come in
How I calculate
Data: Dow Jones futures (MYM) on CME in Chicago, every trade from paid exchange data (Sierra Chart), converted into one-minute candles. Period: 156 sessions (March 16, 2026 – October 26, 2026). Regular trading hours (RTH) session = 9:30 AM–4:00 PM New York time (3:30–10:00 PM Warsaw). Each day I use the contract with the highest volume. I skip shortened sessions (US holidays). When the same extreme price appears several times, the first occurrence counts.
That is 156 sessions, or about seven months. Enough to debunk myths, but too few to treat any single number as an edge. The sample grows every month, and the page is updated along with it.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Dow Jones usually make the high of the day?
Most often in the first 30 minutes of the session (9:30–10:00 AM New York, 3:30–4:00 PM Warsaw): 36.5% of highs. The second jump comes in the last 30 minutes.
Can the high of the day form around midday?
It can, but rarely: between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM New York only about 21.2% of the highs and lows of the day formed.
What time is that in Poland?
The US regular trading hours (RTH) session runs 9:30 AM–4:00 PM New York time, which is 3:30–10:00 PM in Poland, and 2:30–9:00 PM in the weeks when clocks change on different dates.
Historical statistics, not investment advice. Past results do not guarantee similar results in the future. Trading futures involves a high risk of losing capital.