US Stock Market Timings

A stock market is a secure place where investors and traders can buy and sell stocks of the company listed on the exchange. As one of the strongest economies in the world, the US stock market attracts investors from different geographies who wish to diversify their portfolios and invest in some of the major global companies listed on the US exchanges. However, to buy and sell securities listed on the US stock exchange, you must be familiar with US stock market timings.

In this article, we highlight when the US stock market opens, trading hours, and timing conversions as per IST.

What is US share market time or trading hours?

The US stock market operates from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EST (7:00 PM to 1:30 AM IST for Indian investors). These hours cover the business times of the NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). From March to November. Daylight Saving Time (DST) shifts trading hours an hour earlier. The standard trading hours for the NYSE and NASDAQ, excluding holidays, are Monday through Friday. Additionally, certain equities are available for pre-market and after-hours trading from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST. However, these sessions carry higher risks due to lower liquidity and increased volatility. Investing in US stocks can diversify portfolios and provide a hedge against INR depreciation.

US share market time or trading hours

While there are over 10 stock exchanges in the US stock market, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ) are the major ones.

Founded in 1792, the NYSE is the oldest stock exchange in the US. As of December 2023, the NYSE had over 2,272 companies listed on it and commanded a market capitalisation of over $25 trillion, making it the largest stock exchange in the world by market cap. The NYSE was acquired by ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) in 2013 and has since remained the parent organisation of the exchange.

Founded later in 1971, NASDAQ is the second-largest stock exchange in the US. NASDAQ commands the distinction of being the first electronically traded stock exchange in the world. NASDAQ is also the second-largest stock exchange in the world, with 3,584 domestic and international company listings (as of December 2023). The stock exchange is owned by NASDAQ Inc. and located at One Liberty Plaza, New York.

Both these US stock markets open and close according to the following schedule:

Note: While provisions for pre-trading hours exist, when we talk about US stock market timings, it refers to normal trading hours. In other words, the US stock market opens at 9:30 AM ET on all working days (no trading happens on Saturday and Sunday).

Understanding the Eastern Time Zone

US stock market timings are based on the Eastern Time Zone or ET. When discussing ET and the US market opening time, it is important to consider the following variables:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST): EST is observed during the autumn and winter months. It is 5 hours behind the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5) or Greenwich Mean Time.
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): EDT is observed in the spring and summer months. Due to daylight savings, EDT is 4 hours behind the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4) or Greenwich Mean Time.

List of US stock market holidays

Read the information in the table below to learn about the stock market holidays in the US, including full day-offs and limited working days.

Please note the following about the information provided above:

• Every market mentioned closes at 1:30 PM (1:15 PM for a few eligible options) every Friday. Also, the market closes at this time on the day after Thanksgiving (November 28th, 2024).

  From 1 PM, crossing session orders are taken, and continuous executions are done until 1:30 PM on the above-mentioned days. For some platforms like NYSE National, NYSE Arca Equities, NYSE Chicago, and NYSE American Equities, there are late trading sessions that continue until 5 PM.

  The timings above are in EST

• The dates of holidays in the table are for the year 2024. Typically, federal holidays that fall over a weekend are celebrated on the working day right after it. This is why Christmas Day will be celebrated on December 25th, 2024.

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US stock market time in India

While the US stock market opens according to Eastern Time, it is essential for Indian investors to modify their trading schedules according to the Indian Standard Time (IST). In other words, Indian investors need to consider the time difference between India and the US to understand share market timings. Thus, for investors in India, US stock markets open in the evening at 7:00 PM IST and close at 1:30 AM IST.

The following table sums up the US stock market timings in IST:

A few more facts about US stock market time

Various factors have caused disruptions in the workings of the stock markets of the United States in the past. Some noteworthy instances were:

• The NYSE was closed after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US for four consecutive sessions. The day being a Tuesday, NYSE resumed on the next Monday.
• The NYSE was also closed in 2012 due to Hurricane Sandy, which lasted for two days. The storm ended up causing damages worth more than US $70 billion.

In disruptive situations like these, stock markets are expected to resume operations as soon as situations normalise.

Conclusion

While the US stock market serves as a barometer to measure the economic health of the country, it also serves as an indicator of global financial health. Investors keep an eye on the US markets because movements in these markets can significantly impact global financial trends, affecting economies and portfolios worldwide. As an Indian investor, if you wish to diversify your portfolio with US stock investments, it is crucial to understand the US stock market timings. Knowing when the US stock markets open and close is essential for the timely execution of trades and can help you capitalise on market movements.

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