US stock market hours

Opening and closing times of US stock exchanges

*UK times apply during most of the year. When the UK and US daylight saving time changes are temporarily misaligned (typically for a few weeks in March and October/November), the UK opening time may shift by 1 hour.

There are two major stock exchanges in the US: the NYSE and the NASDAQ. Both follow the same regular opening times.

Unlike many exchanges globally, neither the NYSE nor the NASDAQ closes for a lunch break. Trading runs continuously from the opening bell at 9.30am ET to the closing bell at 4pm ET.

Most brokers and trading providers follow each exchange’s opening times. So if you’re looking to buy and sell US shares in the UK, you can typically do so between 2.30pm and 9pm (UK time), Monday to Friday.

With IG, however, you can access extended hours on over 80 US shares through ‘All Session US equities’. These are available from 9am to 1am (UK time) Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 10pm on Friday.

You’ll also benefit from $0 commission on US shares for eligible clients and a competitive FX conversion fee.*

*Commission terms and FX fees apply.

US stock market holidays

US stock exchanges close on weekends and major public holidays, including:

●        New Year’s Day

●        Martin Luther King Jr. Day

●        Presidents’ Day

●        Good Friday

●        Memorial Day

●        Juneteenth National Independence Day

●        Independence Day

●        Labour Day

●        Thanksgiving Day

●        Christmas Day

Markets may also close early (usually at 1pm ET) on certain days, such as the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday.

Holiday dates vary each year, so it’s important to check the official exchange calendar.

Opening and closing times of US stock indices

A stock index measures the performance of a group of shares and generally reflects activity during exchange hours.

Standard index hours

*Most of the year.

The S&P 500 and Dow Jones track companies listed across both exchanges, while the NASDAQ 100 comprises companies listed on the NASDAQ.

The majority of index trading, however, is based on futures contracts. These trade on futures exchanges with extended hours.

If you see an index price quoted outside exchange hours, you’re often seeing a futures-based price.

With IG, you can trade US stock indices 24 hours a day from 11pm Sunday until 10pm Friday (UK time). Outside regular hours, our prices are based on futures and the movements of related markets.

Learn more about index trading

After-hours stock trading on US shares

As well as their regular hours from 9.30am to 4pm ET, both the NYSE and the NASDAQ offer extended sessions.

Extended exchange hours

Pre-market and after-hours orders are executed using electronic communication networks (ECNs), which automatically match buyers and sellers.

However, extended sessions tend to see:

●        Lower trading volume

●        Reduced liquidity

●        Wider spreads

●        Increased volatility

As a result, price movements outside regular hours can be more pronounced.

When can you trade or invest in US shares with us?

There are two ways to gain exposure to US shares with us:

●        Trading on price movements using CFDs and spread bets

●        Investing directly through share dealing

Selected ‘All Session US equities’ are available outside standard exchange hours.

Trading hours for ‘All Session US equities’

All other US shares are available during standard trading times for CFDs, spread bets and share dealing.

In addition to longer trading times, CFDs and spread bets enable you to go both long and short on shares, indices and more. They also give you access to leverage, meaning you only have to put down a percentage of your position’s full value to open it. Leverage increases both potential profits and losses.

You can try out trading risk-free by opening our demo account.

With us, you can use CFDs and spread bets to trade the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 24 hours a day from 11pm Sunday to 10pm Friday (UK time). You can even use weekend trading to buy and sell the Dow Jones on a Saturday and Sunday.

You can also invest in US indices via exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs are bought and sold on exchanges, just like shares, so they’re available during each exchange’s opening hours.

Ready to take your position on US indices? Open a live account.

How do stock exchange trading hours work in the US?

Stock exchange trading hours in the US operate across three distinct sessions:

●        Pre-market: 4am to 9.30am ET

●        Regular session: 9.30am to 4pm ET

●        After-hours: 4pm to 8pm ET

This means trading activity can occur for up to 16 hours per weekday.

The NYSE trading floor is open during the regular session only. Pre-market and after-hours orders are facilitated electronically. The NASDAQ is fully electronic across all sessions.

Despite the rise of extended-hours trading, most trading volume still occurs during the regular session.

US stock market opening times summed up

●        Regular trading hours on the NASDAQ and NYSE run from 9.30am to 4pm ET (usually 2.30pm to 9pm UK time)

●        Both exchanges offer pre-market and after-hours trading

●        US exchanges close on weekends and major public holidays

●        Selected US shares and indices may be available beyond standard hours, depending on your account type

FAQs