The question “Is the stock market open right now?” is one that many investors, from beginners to seasoned pros, find themselves asking. Whether you're looking to capitalize on a sudden market opportunity or just staying on top of market movements, knowing the stock market's operating hours is crucial.
Regular Trading Hours in the US
In the United States, the two primary stock exchanges, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ, follow a set schedule. They are open for trading from 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) to 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. This period is what's commonly referred to as the “regular trading session.” So, if it's a weekday and the time is outside of these hours, the answer to “Is the stock market open right now?” is likely no. Weekends are off - both the NYSE and NASDAQ are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. This schedule gives traders and investors a defined window to buy and sell stocks, bonds, and other securities.
Stock Market Holidays
The stock market, like most businesses, observes certain holidays. During these times, it is closed, and no trading takes place. For 2025, the following are the major holidays when the NYSE and NASDAQ will be shut:
- Washington’s Birthday / Presidents Day: Monday, Feb. 17
- Good Friday: Friday, April 18
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 26
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: Thursday, June 19
- Independence Day: Friday, July 4
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 1
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 27
- Christmas Day: Thursday, Dec. 25
If a holiday falls on a weekend, the observance may be adjusted. For example, if a holiday that is normally observed on a Monday falls on a Sunday, the market will usually be closed on the Monday. So, if it's one of these holiday dates, the answer to “Is the stock market open right now?” is a definite no.
Early Closures
There are also days when the stock market closes early. In 2025, the stock market closes at 1 p.m. ET on the following days:
- Thursday, July 3
- Friday, Nov. 28 (the day after Thanksgiving)
- Wednesday, Dec. 24
On these days, trading is cut short, so if it's after 1 p.m. ET on one of these days, the market is no longer open for regular trading. It's important to note that on these early - closure days, the bond markets may have different closing times. For instance, on these days, the bond markets close at 2 p.m. ET.
Extended - Hours Trading
For those who want to trade outside of the regular 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET window, there is extended - hours trading. This includes pre - market trading, which occurs before the regular market opens, and after - hours trading, which takes place after the market closes.
- NYSE Arca Equities Market (for ETFs):
- Pre - opening session: 2:30 a.m. ET (orders can be entered and queued until the early open auction at 4:00 a.m. ET)
- Early trading session: 4:00 a.m. ET to 9:30 a.m. ET
- Late trading session: 4:00 p.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET
- NYSE, NYSE American, NYSE Chicago, and NYSE National markets:
- Pre - opening session: 6:30 a.m. ET (orders can be entered and queued until the early open auction at 7:00 a.m. ET)
- Early trading session: 7:00 a.m. ET to 9:30 a.m. ET
- Late trading session: 4:00 p.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET (except for NYSE, which doesn't have a late trading session)
- NASDAQ:
- Pre - market trading hours: 4:00 a.m. ET to 9:30 a.m. ET
- After - hours trading: 4:00 p.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET
However, extended - hours trading comes with its own set of risks. There is typically lower liquidity, which means there are fewer buyers and sellers. This can lead to wider bid - ask spreads and potentially higher transaction costs. Also, the prices of stocks during extended - hours trading can be more volatile, as there is less trading activity overall.
How to Check Market Hours in Real - Time
To answer the question “Is the stock market open right now?” in real - time, there are several resources. Most financial news websites, such as Bloomberg, CNBC, and Yahoo Finance, display the current market status. They usually have a section that indicates whether the NYSE and NASDAQ are open or closed. Many brokerage platforms also show the market hours and the current trading status. Additionally, exchanges like the NYSE and NASDAQ have their own official websites where you can find the most up - to - date information on trading hours, holidays, and any special announcements regarding market operations.
In conclusion, determining whether the stock market is open right now requires considering the day of the week, the time of day, and whether it's a holiday or an early - closure day. By being aware of these factors and using reliable financial resources, investors can make more informed decisions about when to trade.