Do you ever wonder what is behind market reactions to headline news?

Have you ever sat in front of your platform and seen a currency, for example, suddenly spike up or down 20 pips when there is no scheduled news and then come back quickly to where it started? It is often like blink and you will miss it.

Have you ever sat in front of your platform and seen a currency suddenly spike up or down 50 pips when there is no scheduled news and stay offered or bid? Without understanding what is behind the movesa you could go bald scratching your head trying to figure it out.

Reaction to headline news

As long as I have been trading markets have always reacted to headline news. Most think about headline news being scheduled events, such as economic data, central bank meetings, etc.

However it is now commonplace to see reactions to all types of headlines, such as off the cuff remarks. treating them as serious need rather than just a comment. This is especially true in the new Trump eta where the President has no shortage of words.

Take Friday, February 7, 2025 when a headline with the following remark saw the dollar spike higher and stocks spike lower:

market reactions to headline news

US President Trump told Republican lawmakers he plans to issue reciprocal tariffs as early as Friday, according to Reuters sources. . Source: Newsquawk.com

It appeared the reaction was to keywords in the headline (e.g. Trump, tariffs, Friday) as there were no specific details in the headline. .

As this EURUSD chart shows, the reaction was even greater than the one after the earlier in the day U.S. January jobs report saw a miss on the NFP to the downside

News trading algos and headline news

While I use charts for trading, I like to be in sync with what is driving the market so I know how to react to a news event. This got me thinking what drives the reaction to headline news.

One of the drivers appears to be news trading algos. While I am not privy to how they operate, I have surmised the following:

News trading algos constantly scan the newswires for headlines and posts on social media for specific keywords that would move the markets. News trading algos then quickly identify keywords, determine whether they are relevant and execute trades based on what looks like instant analysis.

It almost feels like act first on keywords and let the market reassess after.

market reactions to headline news

As I explained in Why Can’t I Compete With the News Trading Algos? there is no way to match the speed of news trading algos, especially on scheduled key events.

However, with surprise headline news you might be able to act a little faster but are still at a competitive disadvantage vs. news trading algos.

On the other hand, by understanding how news trading algos operate, you can get in sync with what is driving sudden market moves.

In this way, there is an opportunity for a trader to at least what is behind a sudden move, interpret the news, put the reaction in perspective and thereby look for opportunities trade rather thantrading with blinders on.

In any case, reactions to news can give a clue to market sentiment.

market reactions to headline news

Summary

To sum up, news trading algos can create volatility, especially intra-day. Understanding how they operate (i.e. using keywords) can allow a trader the opportunity to take advantage of news reactions rather than having it take advantage the other way.

What this requires is to have access to a real-time news source (e.g Newsquawk.com – ask for a free 7 day trial) rather than just trading in the dark.

The evolution of online trading and news trading algos have created a new normal that has intensified an already hyper sensitivity to headline news.

So keep your seat belts tightened, get in sync and and be on alert for sudden moves out of nowhere that are likely triggered by a reaction to keywords in a news headline.

Do you ever wonder what is behind market reactions to headline news?