Master the 2026 US Stock Market Trading Calendar: Essential Opening, Closing, and Market Holiday Times

Key Highlights — The winter trading schedule started on November 2, 2025. Currently, regular US stock market trading hours are from 22:30 to 05:00 Taiwan time.

How Does US Stock Trading Work? Essential Opening and Closing Times

The US stock market consists of three major trading platforms: the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Each operates independently but synchronizes opening and closing times. Using Eastern Time as the standard, investors need to understand three trading sessions:

Regular Trading: Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 16:00, when trading is most active.
Pre-market Trading: Opens early at 04:00, allowing investors to trade before the official open.
After-hours Trading: Continues until 20:00, providing opportunities for trading after market close.

Trade units are 1 share, priced in USD. Transaction fees vary by trading method (manual trading approximately 1%, electronic trading 0.5%-1%). Settlement is completed within T+3 business days.

A Must-Read for Taiwanese Investors: US Market Time Conversion and Daylight Saving Time Differences

Due to the US observing Daylight Saving Time (DST) and Standard Time, while Taiwan remains on the same time year-round, Asian investors must pay attention to these changes.
US DST begins on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM and ends on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM, during which clocks are moved forward by 1 hour.
Standard Time starts on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM and ends on the second Sunday in March.

Currently, during Standard Time, Taiwan time corresponds as follows:

• US regular trading hours (09:30-16:00) correspond to 22:30 to 05:00 Taiwan time.
• Pre-market trading (04:00-09:30) corresponds to 17:00 to 22:30 Taiwan time.
• After-hours trading (16:00-20:00) corresponds to 05:00 to 09:00 Taiwan time.

Complete Guide to US Stock Market Holidays in 2026

Investors should check market holidays before trading to avoid misjudging market conditions. The 2026 US stock market holidays and early close schedules are as follows:

Major Holidays include New Year’s Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19), Washington’s Birthday (February 16), Good Friday (April 3), Memorial Day (May 25), and Independence Day (June 19).

Second Half Holidays:

• Independence Day (July 4) market closed (since July 4 falls on a Saturday, the market closes early on July 3).
• Labor Day (September 7) market closed.
• Thanksgiving (November 26) market closed.

Early Close Days — note these carefully:

• The day after Thanksgiving (November 27) closes 3 hours early at 13:00.
• Christmas Eve (December 24) also closes 3 hours early.
• Christmas Day (December 25) is a full market holiday.

The Three Major Exchanges Have Distinct Features; Understanding Differences Is Important

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) is the world’s largest stock exchange, listing over 3,500 companies with the highest market capitalization globally. It operates a hybrid model, primarily electronic trading, with floor trading used for large block transactions.

NASDAQ is the world’s first all-electronic securities market, with no physical trading floor. Investors trade directly via phone or internet. Many tech giants like Microsoft and Apple are listed here, attracting tech industry investors.

AMEX (American Stock Exchange, now NYSE American) is the third-largest US trading market, mainly listing small- and mid-cap stocks. It is the only exchange offering stocks, futures, and derivatives trading, acquired by NYSE in 2008.

Overview of Global Stock Market Trading Hours

Besides US markets, here are the trading hours for other major international exchanges (all in local time, with Taiwan time equivalents in parentheses):

• China Shanghai & Shenzhen: 09:30-11:30, 13:00-15:00 (same as Taiwan)
• Japan Tokyo: 09:00-15:00 (08:00-14:00 Taiwan)
• UK London: 08:00-16:30 (16:00-00:30 Taiwan)
• Hong Kong HKEX: 09:15-16:00
• Toronto: 09:30-16:00 (22:30-05:00 Taiwan)

Mastering US market holidays and trading hours is the first step for overseas investing. Wishing you successful trading!