But flexibility does not remove risk rules. On Instant Funding Flex, NLF's current FAQ applies a specific treatment to profit generated from trades executed during a red-folder news event. Knowing this rule before you trade is essential for managing reward expectations correctly.[1]

The NLF Instant Funding Flex News Trading Rule

NLF permits news trading on Instant Funding Flex accounts. The relevant payout-review condition is straightforward:

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If profit from trades executed during a red-folder news event exceeds 0.5%, profit above 0.5% from those news trades is deducted during the payout review process.[1]

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This does not mean news trading is banned. It means that NLF limits the amount of profit from the applicable red-folder news trades that is counted toward your payout review.

How Does the 0.5% Red-Folder News Rule Work?

NLF provides a clear example. If you make 1.2% profit from trades executed during a red-folder event, only 0.5% is counted. The remaining 0.7% is deducted during the payout review process.[1]

The relevant distinction is important: this treatment concerns the profit generated by trades executed during the red-folder news event. It should not be confused with your entire account profit or every trade you take that week.

What Is Red-Folder News?

“Red folder” is a common calendar label for a high-impact macroeconomic release. Examples may include an interest-rate decision, US employment data such as Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), inflation data such as CPI, a central-bank press conference, or another scheduled event that can create sudden volatility and wide price gaps.

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News events can create opportunity, but they can also create rapid slippage, spreads, and whipsaw movement. That is why the best approach is preparation — not trying to predict the first seconds after the number prints.

Can You Hold Positions Over the Weekend on Instant Funding Flex?

Yes. Weekend holding is permitted on NLF Instant Funding Flex accounts.[1]

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This matters for swing traders who enter a position based on higher-timeframe structure and do not want an arbitrary Friday-close rule to force them out early. It also creates an important responsibility: a weekend market gap can move beyond the price where you expected your stop loss to protect you.

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NLF's general weekend-holding guidance permits holding but warns that it is not recommended because markets can gap between Friday's close and Sunday’s open. Weekend positions are held at the trader’s own risk.[1]

Responsible approach: Weekend holding is a strategic choice, not a default setting. If the expected gap risk is larger than the potential benefit of holding, closing the position can be the more disciplined decision.

Instant Funding Flex Account Rules Still Apply During News and Weekend Holds

Permission to trade news or hold over the weekend does not override any other Flex account rules. The rules are designed to keep instant funding accessible while still requiring repeatable risk control.[2]

How to Trade Red-Folder News Responsibly on Instant Funding Flex

The key to event trading is not maximum speed. It is understanding the risk before volatility begins.

1. Know the Calendar Before You Enter

Check for scheduled high-impact releases before you open a position. If a red-folder event is approaching, decide before entry whether you will close before the release, reduce risk, or hold under a plan you understand.

2. Keep Risk Below the Maximum, Not at It

The current Flex maximum risk rule is 1% per trade. That figure is a hard ceiling, not an ideal position size for every setup. Many traders choose to use less risk around volatile events because the spread and execution environment can change rapidly.[2]

3. Use a Stop Loss and Understand Gap Risk

A stop loss is required on Flex before the trade is closed. It is essential, but it is not a guarantee that a gap will fill at the exact requested price. Use a size that allows you to live with the possibility of poor execution during extreme volatility.

4. Do Not Build Your Payout Plan Around Red-Folder Windfalls

The 0.5% counted-profit condition exists precisely because an unusually large result from a red-folder trade should not become the foundation of your payout plan. Focus your strategy on repeatable setups taken under normal and event-market conditions, not a single high-volatility trade.

5. Journal the Trade Separately

Record the calendar event, your planned risk, the entry, the exit, the spread conditions, and whether you held through the first release. Over time, this will tell you whether news trading is a genuine edge for you or simply an exciting source of unnecessary volatility.

A Sensible NLF Instant Funding Flex Event-Trading Plan

Why This Makes Instant Funding Flex Useful for Swing Traders and Beginners

A low-cost $25k Flex account can suit more than just short-term traders. Because NLF permits both news trading and weekend holding, a developing swing trader can use a higher-timeframe strategy without being forced into a purely intraday workflow.

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The framework remains structured. The 4% trailing maximum drawdown, 3% daily drawdown, 15% consistency rule, 1% maximum risk rule, and 10 qualifying-trade requirement create boundaries that encourage traders to develop a genuine process rather than rely on one unpredictable event.[2]

Frequently Asked Questions: Instant Funding Flex News and Weekend Rules

Are news trading and weekend holding allowed on NLF Instant Funding Flex accounts?

Yes. NLF's current FAQ states that both weekend holding and news trading are permitted on Instant Funding Flex accounts.[1]

What happens if I make more than 0.5% profit during red-folder news?

Profit above 0.5% generated from trades executed during a red-folder news event is deducted during payout review. In NLF's example, 1.2% news-trade profit results in 0.5% counted and 0.7% deducted.[1]

Is all of my account profit reduced if I trade red-folder news?

No. The stated adjustment applies to profit above 0.5% from the relevant news trades, not to every profit made in the account. Review the current terms before placing a trade or requesting a payout.[1]

Can I hold a Flex trade from Friday into the weekend?

Yes. Weekend holding is permitted. However, NLF warns that weekend gaps can create significant risk, including movement beyond an expected stop-loss level.[1]

Does the 15% consistency rule still apply if I trade news?

Yes. The 15% consistency rule remains part of the Instant Funding Flex account. All trading and risk-management requirements continue to apply.[1] [2]

Is Instant Funding Flex a live brokerage account?

No. NLF describes its service as simulated trading on virtual accounts, not a brokerage service with client funds placed in live markets. Rewards are discretionary performance-based compensation under the current programme terms.[1]

Final Answer: NLF Allows Flex News Trading — But You Need a Plan

Yes, NLF Instant Funding Flex permits both red-folder news trading and weekend holding. That is a meaningful advantage for traders who want to trade their actual strategy rather than close positions because of an arbitrary restriction.

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The rules are clear: profit above 0.5% from trades executed during a red-folder news event is deducted during payout review, and every other Flex risk and payout requirement remains active. Approach event trading with smaller, pre-planned risk; use your stop loss; respect the 4% trailing and 3% daily drawdown limits; and never treat a volatile release as a shortcut to a payout.

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Review Instant Funding Flex Rules and Start with NLF

References

[1] Next Level Funded, Frequently Asked Questions: Instant Funding Flex and news/weekend holding.

[2] Next Level Funded, Trading Evaluations and Instant Funding Flex Account Rules.

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Author: Spencer Todd, Founder of Next Level Funded

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Trading involves risk. NLF provides simulated trading services. This article is educational and promotional, not financial or investment advice. News and weekend trading can involve substantial volatility, gaps, and execution risk. Account rules, reward adjustments, eligibility, and payouts are subject to current NLF programme terms and review. No result or payout is guaranteed.