What time does the stock market open and close? Hours, holidays and extended trading

If you are wondering what time the stock market opens and closes, the answer is pretty straightforward: Regular trading hours for U.S. stocks on the NYSE and the Nasdaq are generally from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. This is the window most investors think of as the “core” trading day.

Market hours matter, especially if you are placing time-sensitive trades, reacting to earnings news or trying to understand why prices keep moving when the market is “closed.” Stocks may trade in extended sessions before and after the regular day, while the futures market, foreign exchange (forex) market and international stock exchanges follow their own schedules.

Standard stock market hours

For most investors, the most important hours are the regular sessions on the NYSE and the Nasdaq. This is typically when the deepest liquidity is available and when most headline stock trading and order execution take place.

Market schedules aren’t identical every day of the year, though. In fact, U.S. stock exchanges close for major holidays, and days preceding certain holidays may also have shortened trading hours.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) hours

The NYSE’s core trading session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, while pre-market trading runs from 7 to 9:30 a.m. ET. After-market trading runs from 4 to 8 p.m. ET on certain platforms, such as NYSE American, NYSE Arca Equities, NYSE National and NYSE Texas.

Nasdaq exchange hours

Like the NYSE, regular trading hours for the Nasdaq are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Pre-market trading runs from 4 to 9:30 a.m. ET and after-market trading runs from 4 to 8 p.m. ET.

It’s important to check with your broker though as certain brokers may have different times and rules for extended trading hours. Even though the exchange may support extended trading at certain times, your brokerage platform may offer a narrower window or have different order handling rules. Additionally, after-hours trading tends to be characterized by greater price volatility and lower liquidity.

Stock market holiday hours and closures for 2026 and 2027

The NYSE calendar shows that U.S. markets are closed in 2026 and 2027 on the following holidays:

The NYSE also closes early at 1 p.m. ET on the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) in both 2026 and 2027, along with an early 1 p.m. ET close on December 24, 2026 (Christmas Eve). The Nasdaq follows the same 2026 and 2027 holiday schedule as the NYSE.

If you are planning a trade near a holiday, it’s a good idea to verify the exact schedule for the exchange and with your broker rather than assuming regular hours will apply.

Extended, pre-market and after-hours trading

Extended trading refers to stock trading that takes place outside the regular 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET session. For the NYSE, extended trading hours run from 7 to 9:30 a.m. ET for early trading and from 4 to 8 p.m. ET for late trading (available on certain NYSE platforms).

For the Nasdaq, the pre-market session runs from 4 to 9:30 a.m. ET and the after-hours session runs from 4 to 8 p.m. ET, although broker access during these times may vary.

These sessions may be used by institutional investors, active traders and others reacting to company news, earnings releases or economic reports that arrive outside normal market hours. But there are trade-offs: Because fewer buyers and sellers may be active at these times, extended trading can involve lower liquidity and more volatility. Additionally, not all stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may be available during extended hours.

Futures, other asset classes and global markets

Because other markets run on different schedules and have different rules, stock market hours are only part of the picture. This is why you may see prices moving overnight or hear market commentary before the opening bell. Futures, currencies and foreign markets can all respond to events when the main U.S. stock session is closed.

Each market has its own rules, time zones and liquidity patterns. So, while trading may be available for longer stretches in some markets, these periods are not necessarily easier for trading.

Futures markets

Stock futures trade almost 24 hours a day, so they often reflect overnight news and investor reactions that happen when regular stock trading is closed.

For example, E-mini S&P 500 futures trade on the CME Globex exchange from Sunday at 6 p.m. to Friday at 5 p.m. ET, with a daily maintenance period from 5 to 6 p.m. ET.

This is one reason futures are so closely watched before the market opens. For many investors, futures can act more like a signal than as a product they trade directly. For example, if futures are sharply higher or lower before 9:30 a.m. ET, that can offer clues about how investors are reacting to overnight developments before the stock market opens.

The bond market

Bond trading hours differ from stock market hours. NYSE bond early trading hours are from 4 to 8 a.m. ET, core trading is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET and late trading is from 5 to 8 p.m. ET. There are also two daily auctions – an opening bond auction at 4 a.m. ET and a core bond auction at 8 a.m. ET.

This serves as a reminder that “the market” doesn’t run according to a single clock. Different asset classes can have very different schedules, and investors should not assume that NYSE and Nasdaq trading hours apply to all exchanges.

Forex (currencies)

The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, Monday through Friday. Unlike the stock market, the forex market does not have one central exchange. Instead, currencies trade through a global network of brokers, central and commercial banks and other financial institutions such as hedge funds and investment firms.

This broader schedule is one reason global macro news can move markets overnight. Even if U.S. stocks are closed, currencies may still be actively trading and shaping investor sentiment before the next stock session begins.

International stock exchanges

International stock exchanges follow their own schedules, which is why time zones matter for investors in overseas markets. Indeed, international stock investing can expose investors to different market structures, trading hours and local conditions than the U.S. market.

A few examples of international stock markets include the London Stock Exchange, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which follow these standard trading schedules:

These local-market hours can affect when orders are executed and how foreign stock prices move relative to U.S. trading hours.

The bottom line

For most investors, the primary U.S. stock market trading window is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on regular trading days. But knowing market hours can be especially important when you plan to trade around earnings, economic releases or holidays, or when trying to understand overnight moves in futures, forex or foreign markets.

The practical takeaway is simple: Know which market you're trading, whether you’re in regular or extended hours, and understand your broker’s rules before you place an order. These steps can help you avoid surprises related to liquidity, spreads and execution timing.

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