Stock Market Trading Hours & Holidays 2024 (2024)

Stock trading hours play a crucial role in determining market activity and liquidity. They define the period during which buyers and sellers can engage in transactions, thereby influencing the supply and demand dynamics for stocks.

By understanding the stock market trading hours, you can gauge the level of activity and the likelihood of executing trades at favorable prices. By understanding the relationship between time and trading, you can make informed decisions and optimize your stock trading strategy.

Stock Trading Hours - Quick Guide

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In the next sections, we'll guide you through the trading hours of the major stock exchanges and other international marketplaces. Let's explore how you can use this information to better understand market opening hours.

The importance of trading hours for stock markets

The stock market is significantly influenced by the trading hours in many ways.

First, they establish a window of time within which investors can respond to news and developments in the market. For instance, major price changes and higher volatility may occur when the market opens if big economic news is made outside of stock market hours.

Second, the level of market liquidity is determined by the trading hours. The market is typically more liquid during regular trading hours, when several exchanges are active at once, facilitating a more seamless flow of buy and sell orders. This enhanced liquidity lessens the impact of huge trades on stock prices and improves market efficiency.

Moreover, market players' behavior is influenced by trading hours. Traders and investors frequently display varying risk appetites and strategies during various trading sessions:

• For example, the "opening bell," or first hour of trading, is typically marked by increased activity as market participants react to overnight news and reposition.
• Conversely, during the final trading hour, also referred to as the "closing bell," traders may experience heightened volatility as they hurry to liquidate their holdings before the market closing.

What are stock exchange hours?

Stock market opening times refer to the hours when stock exchanges are open for business, which vary based on region, country and individual stock exchange. Stock market trading hours vary worldwide.

Due to differences in work politics and culture, UK stock market hours differ from those in Hong Kong or Japan. While stock exchanges in Europe and the Americas typically remain open during lunch, some Asian markets do close for a midday break.

Stock market hours also differ from other financial markets. For example, the currency market typically operates 24 hours a day, starting on Sunday and ending on Friday. The three main trading sessions occur in New York (for North America), Tokyo (for Asia), and London (for Europe). Customers can enter and exit the forex market at any time due to the overlap of these trading hours.

The trading hours of the stock market vary depending on the exchange and region. When people refer to the stock market, they often mean U.S. exchanges, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, which are open from 14:30 to 21:00 (UTC).

The majority of stock trading occurs Monday through Friday. Regular trading hours are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Therefore, any news about equities moving higher or lower during the weekend likely originates from stock futures, which begin trading at 23:00 (UTC) on Sunday night.

Stock market trading hours around the world

Understanding trading hours in global financial markets is essential to improving trading strategies. It is important to be aware of the trading hours of major markets in America, Europe and Asia, and learn about the specific times when financial assets can be traded. By checking the trading hours of these major markets, traders can better plan their trades and take advantage of market movements in different regions.

US Stock market hours

The two largest American exchanges, NASDAQ and NYSE, are based in New York City. They regularly trade stocks from Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 16:30 EST (14:30 to 21:00 GMT).

While most US exchanges remain open during lunch hour, trading volume typically decreases. The highest liquidity is usually observed during the opening and closing bells of the US session.

The US session lasts for six and a half hours, shorter than the UK market hours. This shorter trading window results in less insight into market trends, as the extended closed period allows everyone to process news before trading resumes.

Opening and closing times for some of the US stock exchanges

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)	New York, United States	Mon-Fri9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EDT	Mon 14:30 to Fri 21:00 GMT
Nasdaq Stock Exchange	New York, United States	Mon-Fri9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EDT	Mon 14:30 to Fri 21:00 GMT

Opening and closing times of some US stock indices

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
Dow Jones	NYSE - Nasdaq	Mon-Fri9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EDT	Mon 14:30 to 21:00 GMT
Nasdaq-100	Nasdaq	Mon-Fri9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EDT	Mon 14:30 to 21:00 GMT
S&P 500	NYSE	Mon-Fri9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EDT	Mon 14:30 to Fri 21:00 GMT

Opening and closing times of some US futures market

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
E-mini-Dow ($5)	CME	Sun 5:00 PM - Fri 4:00 PMCT	Mon 22:00 – Fri 21:00 GMT
E-mini-Nasdaq-100	CME	Sun 5:00 PM - Fri 4:00 PMCT	Mon 22:00 – Fri 21:00 GMT
E-mini-S&P 500	CBOT/CME	Sun 5:00 PM - Fri 4:00 PMCT	Mon 22:00 – Fri 21:00 GMT

European stock market hours

Europe has the longest stock market trading hours due to the numerous exchanges across the region. The largest exchange, Euronext, encompasses several markets, including Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, and Lisbon.

The Euronext exchange operates on weekends and does not close for lunch, even though it is not part of the EU.

In Europe, several major stock exchanges serve as markets for trading stocks and other financial products.

Opening and closing times for some of the European stock exchanges

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
Euronext Amsterdam	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Mon 09:00 AM to Fri 05:30 PM CEST	Mon 07:00 to Fri 15:30 GMT
Frankfurt Stock Exchange	Frankfurt, Germany	Mon 08:00 AM to Fri 22:00 PM CEST	Mon 06:00 to Fri 20:00 GMT

Opening and closing times of some European stock indices

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
Euronext (N100)	Eurex	Mon 09:00 AM to Fri 05:30 PM CEST	Mon 07:00 to Fri 15:30 GMT
DAX (Germany 40)	Eurex	Mon 08:00 AM to Fri 22:00 PM CEST	Mon 06:00 to Fri 20:00 GMT
CAC 40 (France 40)	Eurex	Mon 09:00 AM to Fri 05:30 PM CEST	Mon 07:00 to Fri 15:30 GMT

Opening and closing times of some European futures market

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
EURO STOXX 50	Eurex	Mon 01:00 AM – Fri 10:00 PM CEST	Mon 23:00 to Fri 20:00 GMT
STOXX Europe 600	Eurex	Mon 01:00 AM – Fri 10:00 PM CEST	Mon 23:00 to Fri 20:00 GMT
DAX	Eurex	Mon 01:00 AM – Fri 10:00 PM CEST	Mon 23:00 to Fri 20:00 GMT

UK Stock market hours

The London Stock Exchange operates from 08:00 GMT to 16:30, with a break from 12:00 to 12:30. With eight hours and twenty-eight minutes of trading time, it has some of the longest hours of any stock market in the world.

Most other exchanges operate for only five to seven hours. The longer hours are expected to give traders a better view of market trends, as more news breaks during the market's opening hours, giving traders and investors more time to adjust their positions.

While markets in Asia close for an hour during lunch, the London Stock Exchange pauses for lunch only from 12:00 to 12:02. The LSE is closed on weekends.

Opening and closing times of UK stock exchanges

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone
London Stock Exchange	London, United Kingdom	Mon 8:00 AM to Fri 4:30 PM GMT

Opening and closing times of some UK stock indices

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone
FTSE 100	LSEG	Mon 8:00 AM to Fri 4:30 PM GMT
FTSE 250	LSEG	Mon 8:00 AM to Fri 4:30 PM GMT
FTSE 350	LSEG	Mon 8:00 AM to Fri 4:30 PM GMT

Opening and closing times of some UK futures market

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone
FTSE 100 Index	ICE Europe	Mon 12:00 AM to Fri 08:00 PM GMT
FTSE 250 Index	ICE Europe	Mon 06:00 AM to Fri 08:00 PM GMT

Asian stock market hours

Asian stock market hours fall into the early shift of global market activity. Lunch breaks are customary in many Asian countries, so it is essential to know when trading will pause and resume. Since most trading volume occurs at the beginning and end of the day, liquidity is typically lower during lunchtime.

Lunch breaks have been abolished in a few Asian countries to encourage more market activity.

Most Asian trading sessions last around four to six hours. Compared to other global sessions, these shorter trading periods see significantly less activity.

Opening and closing times for some of the Asian stock exchanges

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)	Shanghai, China	Mon 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 01:00 PM to Fri 02:57 PM CST	Mon 14:30 to Fri 19:57 GMT
Tokyo Stock Exchange	Tokyo, Japan	Mon 09:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM JST	Sun 00:00 to Fri 06:00 GMT

Opening and closing times of some Asian stock indices

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
China A50 (China A50)	CNY	Mon 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 01:00 PM to Fri 02:57 PM CST	Mon 14:30 to Fri 19:57 GMT
Nikkei 225 (Japan 225)	JPX	Mon 09:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM JST	Sun 00:00 to Fri 06:00 GMT
Shanghai Composite Index	CNY	Mon 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 01:00 PM to Fri 02:57 PM CST	Mon 14:30 to Fri 19:57 GMT

Opening and closing times of some Asian futures market

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
Nikkei 225 (Osaka)	JPX	Mon 09:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM JST	Sun 00:00 to Fri 06:00 GMT
TOPIX	JPX	Mon 09:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM JST	Sun 00:00 to Fri 06:0 GMT
SGX Nifty 50 Index	SGX	Sun 06:10 PM - Sat 05:15 AM SGT	Sun 10:10 AM to Fri 09:15 PM GMT

Middle East stock market hours

The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) are prominent markets in the Middle East, operating during the early hours of global market activity. Unlike many Asian markets, neither of these exchanges close for lunch, which is an important factor for traders to consider.

The Tadawul Stock Exchange operates from Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Arabian Standard Time (GMT+03:00), providing a five-hour trading session each day. This continuous trading period allows for more consistent market activity without the typical midday pause seen in other regions.

Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is open from Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:44 PM Gulf Standard Time (GMT+04:00), offering a slightly shorter trading session of approximately four hours and forty-five minutes each day.

Opening and closing times for some of the Middle East stock exchanges

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
Saudi Stock Exchange	Tadawul	Sun 10:00 AM to Thursday 03:00 PM KSA	Sun 07:00 AM to Thursday 12:00 PM GMT
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange	ADX	Mon 10:00 AM to Fri 02:44 PM UAE	Mon 07:00 AM to Fri 11:44 AM GMT

Opening and closing times of some Middle East stock indices

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
TASI Index	Tadawul	Sun 10:00 AM to Thursday 03:00 PM KSA	Sun 07:00 AM to Thursday 12:00 PM GMT
FTSE ADX GENERAL INDEX	ADX	Mon 10:00 AM to Fri 02:44 PM UAE	Mon 07:00 AM to Fri 11:44 AM GMT

Opening and closing times of some Middle East futures market

Name	Marketplace	Time Zone	GMT
FADX 15	ADX	Mon 10:00 AM to Fri 02:44 PM UAE	Mon 07:00 AM to Fri 11:44 AM GMT

Stock market holidays 2024

Market holidays, also known as trade holidays or stock market holidays, are specific days when stock exchanges and other financial markets are officially closed for trading.

These closures typically affect both regular trading hours and extended trading periods, such as pre-market and after-hours trading. Exchange holidays are categorized into two types, detailed below:

• National Holidays: These are public holidays observed nationwide, such as Christmas, New Year's Day, and Independence Day.
• Exchange-Specific Holidays: Some market holidays may not align with national holidays as they are specific to a particular stock exchange. These could include designated closing days or exchange anniversary days.

It's important to note that market holidays vary by country, so traders and investors should always verify the specific dates for any exchange they regularly trade on.

When planning your stock market trading activity, keep in mind that the trading schedule for stocks is directly influenced by the trading hours of the exchange where the stocks are listed. Generally, global market trading hours run from Monday through Friday.

There are certain exceptions, such as market holidays, when the markets close early, or trading is fully suspended for certain assets. For instance, trading is prohibited on the NYSE and NASDAQ on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange remains closed in May for Buddha's Birthday, and European exchanges are closed on May Day. Additionally, most stock markets are closed during the New Year's holiday season.

While the Saudi Stock Exchange is closed on September 23 on the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and also on February 22 of each calendar year on the occasion of the Saudi Founding Day, while the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is closed on the occasion of the National Day on the second and third of December - both the Saudi Stock Exchange and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange The dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are determined according to the Hijri calendar.

Note that some exchanges hold brief trading sessions before and after regular market hours to give traders time to adjust their holdings.

US stock market holidays 2024 – NYSE & Nasdaq

• Wednesday, June 19, 2024 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Thursday, July 4, 2024 — Independence Day
• Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 — Labor Day
• Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 — Thanksgiving Day
• Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 — Christmas Day

The stock market generally follows its holiday schedule without any additional early closures, except the day before Independence Day, Black Friday and Christmas Eve, when the Nasdaq and NYSE close at 1 p.m. ET.

• July 3, 2024 — Day before Independence Day
• Nov. 29, 2024 — Day after Thanksgiving
• Dec. 24, 2024 — Christmas Eve

EU stock market holidays – Euronext

All the EU stock markets will be closed on:

• Wednesday 25 December 2024 (Christmas)
• Thursday 26 December 2024 (St Stephens Day / Boxing Day)

The EU stock markets will trade for half days on the following dates:

• Tuesday 24 December 2024
• Tuesday 31 December 2024

Note that some local stock exchanges can be closed on these days.

Trading near the opening and closing time

The early and end hours of the trading day are the busiest. More shares trade hands in the first hour than at any other time because orders placed after the market closed are completed. Volume usually increases again at the end of the day as institutional investors attempt to liquidate and acquire new holdings.

More volume generally benefits active traders because bid-ask spreads are tighter with more shares available for trading. However, transactions can quickly go against you if you're not careful. Many long-term investors prefer trading in the middle of the day when things are quieter. Even experienced traders can find buying and selling near the opening and closing bells risky, as tactics that work in the morning may not work in the evening due to different volume spikes.

Trading after the opening bell

Trading before the closing bell

The early-morning spike in volume does not always lead to higher price volatility due to the balance between buyers and sellers. However, an imbalance can cause a stock to open much higher or lower than its closing price, especially when news breaks outside trading hours. Bad news often causes a stock to "gap lower," or open substantially lower, and it typically continues to slide for the first five to ten minutes as traders join the selling. The next twenty minutes are usually spent recovering as bargain hunters enter the market unless the news is particularly dire. Setting a stop order below the lowest price reached in the first ten minutes is a technique to guard against further falls. Conversely, stocks that "gap up" may be a good opportunity to sell, as upward movements often reverse after the first five to ten minutes. Using a trailing stop that rises with the stock can help maximize your selling price in these situations.

Trading close to the end of the day solidifies the day's consensus, with declining stocks often reaching new lows and rising stocks continuing their upward trend. Institutional investors, particularly hedge fund and index-fund managers, typically control end-of-day trading to match benchmark returns or manage cash flows from redemptions or inflows. This support for the intraday's trend often extends into the next stock market hour, providing an opportunity to sell profitable positions, although the risk of overnight news impacting stock prices remains. However, trading in the last hour carries risks, especially with potential disruptions from major news events and the possibility of sharp reversals, like short squeezes or sudden liquidations. It's advisable to wait until the final ten to fifteen minutes to assess whether the day's trend will persist or reverse before making trading decisions.

How to trade in the stock market

Stocks are traded on a major centralized stock exchange for each country, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, or London Stock Exchange (LSE).