What are the trading hours of stock markets around the world? 

Stock markets around the world don’t open and close at the same time. Trading hours vary by region, local business practices and time zones, which can influence when markets are most active and how price movements in one region may affect another. 

Understanding global stock market trading hours can help investors and traders track international markets and interpret market movements as trading shifts from one region to the next. 

What are stock market trading hours? 

Stock market trading hours are the times during which a stock exchange is open for buying and selling listed securities. Each exchange sets its own hours based on local working customs, regulatory requirements and time zones. 

Most major stock exchanges operate Monday to Friday and close at weekends, although some markets follow different working weeks. Trading hours may also be temporarily adjusted due to public holidays or daylight saving time changes. 

Global trading sessions explained 

Although every exchange sets its own schedule, global markets are often grouped into three broad trading sessions: 

• Asian session – led by markets such as Japan, China and Hong Kong 
• European session – centred on London and major continental exchanges 
• North American session – dominated by US exchanges 

There are periods when these sessions overlap, particularly when European and US markets are open simultaneously. During these overlaps, more market participants may be active, which can coincide with increased trading activity in some markets. 

Opening and closing times of major stock exchanges 

The table below shows the core continuous trading hours of major stock exchanges in local exchange time. UK time equivalents can shift throughout the year as countries move into or out of daylight saving time.

Exchanges may also operate opening and closing auction phases outside continuous trading hours

Why do stock market trading hours differ? 

Trading hours differ mainly to concentrate liquidity during local business hours. By limiting trading to set periods, exchanges aim to bring buyers and sellers together at the same time, supporting more orderly price formation. 

Time zone differences also mean that global markets open sequentially rather than simultaneously. As a result, news or price movements in one region can influence markets that open later in the day. 

How daylight saving time affects trading hours 

Stock exchanges set their trading hours in local time, not UK time. When countries move into or out of daylight saving time on different dates, the UK time equivalent of overseas market hours can temporarily shift. 

For example, US markets may appear to open earlier or later from a UK perspective for several weeks each year, depending on when daylight saving changes take place in each country. 

Stock market trading hours by region 

North America 

The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both operate from 9.30am to 4.00pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday, with no lunch break. Canadian markets, including the Toronto Stock Exchange, generally follow the same schedule. 

US exchanges also support extended hours trading outside the main session via electronic trading systems. Liquidity may be lower during these periods than during regular trading hours. 

Europe 

European stock markets typically open earlier in the day than US markets. The London Stock Exchange trades from 8.00am to 4.30pm UK time, while Euronext exchanges operate on a unified timetable across multiple countries. 

Most European exchanges do not pause for lunch, and trading hours are relatively consistent across the region. 

Asia 

Asian markets open while European and North American markets are closed. Several major exchanges in the region, including those in Japan, China and Hong Kong, observe a midday lunch break, temporarily halting continuous trading. 

Asian exchanges generally close on local public holidays, which are announced in advance by each exchange. 

Middle East 

Trading hours in the Middle East vary by exchange and often reflect local working weeks rather than the Monday-to-Friday model used in Europe and North America. Some exchanges operate Sunday to Thursday. 

Most Middle Eastern exchanges do not pause for lunch during trading hours. 

Oceania 

The Australian Securities Exchange operates from 10.00am to 4.00pm local time, Monday to Friday. New Zealand’s main exchange follows a similar weekday structure, with slightly extended closing times. 

Can you trade when stock markets are closed? 

Orders placed outside an exchange’s trading hours are typically queued and may be executed when the market reopens, depending on the order type and platform rules. The execution price may differ from the price at the time the order was placed if market prices change while the exchange is closed. 

Some providers also offer access to selected markets outside standard exchange hours. Trading conditions during these periods may differ from regular market hours. 

Trade out-of-hours with us 

We offer out-of-hours trading on selected shares, providing access beyond standard exchange opening hours. Availability, dealing hours and pricing depend on the product used and the underlying market. 

Out-of-hours trading can involve lower liquidity and higher volatility. When using leveraged products such as spread bets or CFDs. Leverage magnifies both profits and losses so there's always the risk you could lose money.

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