When the Stock Market Opens and Closes

U.S. stock market hours

The three major U.S. stock exchanges — the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Nasdaq, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) — all open at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time and close at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. These are the official regular trading hours.

The market is closed on weekends and on federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. On the day after Thanksgiving, the market closes at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time instead of 4:00 p.m.

Key Takeaways

• Regular trading hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
• Pre-market trading begins at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and after-hours trading runs until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, but with lower volume and wider price swings.
• The market closes early at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day after Thanksgiving and is closed entirely on weekends and federal holidays.
• If you place an order outside regular hours, it will not execute until the market opens or during the next available trading window.

Pre-market and after-hours trading

You can trade stocks before and after the official market hours through extended-hours trading, but not all brokers offer it, and the rules are different. Pre-market trading runs from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. After-hours trading runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Extended-hours trading has real drawbacks. The number of shares being bought and sold is much smaller, so the gap between the bid price (what buyers will pay) and the ask price (what sellers want) can be much wider. A stock might jump or drop sharply on thin volume. Your order might not fill at all, or it might fill at a price far from what you expected. Most individual investors avoid extended hours unless they have a specific reason to trade outside regular hours.

How time zones affect your trading

All U.S. stock market times are given in Eastern Time, regardless of where you live. If you are on Pacific Time, you need to subtract three hours. If you are on Central Time, subtract one hour. If you are on Mountain Time, subtract two hours.

Your brokerage account will show times in your local time zone, but the market itself opens and closes on Eastern Time. If you set a price alert or a scheduled trade, check whether your broker is using Eastern Time or your local time.

What happens if you place an order outside market hours

If you place a market order (an order to buy or sell immediately at the current price) outside regular trading hours, it will not execute until the market opens. Your order sits in a queue and fills at the opening price or the first price that matches your order after the market opens.

If you place a limit order (an order to buy or sell only at a specific price or better) outside market hours, it may execute during extended-hours trading if the price is met, or it will wait until regular hours. Some brokers let you specify whether a limit order is good only during regular hours or during extended hours as well. Check your broker's rules before placing an order.

International stock markets and their hours

If you own stocks listed on exchanges outside the United States, those markets have their own opening and closing times. The London Stock Exchange opens at 8:00 a.m. GMT and closes at 4:30 p.m. GMT. The Tokyo Stock Exchange opens at 9:00 a.m. JST and closes at 3:00 p.m. JST. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange opens at 9:30 a.m. HKT and closes at 4:00 p.m. HKT.

You can trade many international stocks through U.S. brokers during U.S. market hours, but the price may lag behind the price on the home exchange. If you want to trade during the actual market hours of another country, you may need a broker that offers international trading or a brokerage account in that country.

Market holidays and early closings

The U.S. stock market observes the following federal holidays and closes entirely: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).

On the day after Thanksgiving (the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November), the market opens at 9:30 a.m. but closes at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time instead of 4:00 p.m. This is the only regular trading day with an early close. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the market observes it on the nearest weekday.

Why market hours matter for your trades

The opening and closing times matter because most trading volume happens during regular hours. Stock prices are most stable and spreads are tightest (meaning you get closer to the price you expect) during regular trading hours. If you are a long-term investor buying and holding, the exact time you trade during regular hours usually does not matter much. If you are trading frequently or trying to catch specific price movements, trading during regular hours gives you better odds of getting the price you want.

Many investors set calendar reminders for market open and close times, especially if they are in a time zone far from Eastern Time or if they trade on a schedule. Knowing when the market opens and closes helps you plan when to place orders and when to check your positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade stocks at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time?

Not during regular trading hours — the market does not open until 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. However, if your broker offers pre-market trading, you may be able to trade starting at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time, though with lower volume and wider spreads.

What happens to my order if I place it at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time?

A market order placed at 5:00 p.m. will wait until the next market open at 9:30 a.m. and fill at or near the opening price. A limit order may execute during after-hours trading if the price is met, or it will wait until regular hours, depending on your broker's settings.

Is the stock market open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, the market is open on Christmas Eve unless it falls on a weekend. It closes at the regular time of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The market is closed on Christmas Day itself.

Can I trade international stocks during U.S. market hours?

Yes, many U.S. brokers let you trade stocks listed on foreign exchanges during U.S. trading hours, but the price may not match the price on the home exchange in real time. For the most accurate pricing, trade during the actual market hours of that country.

What time does the market close on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

The market closes at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day after Thanksgiving, not the usual 4:00 p.m. This is the only regular trading day with an early close.