Stock Market Hours: When It Opens and Closes [Around the World]

When we talk about stock market hours, we’re usually only talking about the major U.S. exchanges.

We’ve got it easy in the U.S. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are home to nearly half of the world’s stock value!

Even non-American companies list on these exchanges … If not, you’ll often find their locally traded stocks on the OTC markets.

This can make us forget that almost every country in the world has a local stock exchange. That means trades are happening somewhere every minute!

This isn’t just fun trivia. There are 16 stock exchanges around the world capitalized at over $1 trillion.

These exchanges don’t only influence the global economy indirectly. They can influence stocks on American exchanges too.

Take a company like Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) (HKG: 9988). Since 2019, the company’s stock has traded on both the NYSE and Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKG). For the most part, the two stocks have followed the same trends.

But think about the time difference! Depending on the time of year, Hong Kong is either 12 or 13 time zones away from New York…

That means you can trade Alibaba every waking hour. And catalysts can move the stock at any time.

This is the kind of info I discuss with the SteadyTrade Team. It’s not enough just to know what stocks on your watchlists are doing.

Smart traders constantly learn new things. That gives them the perspective to connect dots that others can’t.

What Are the Stock Market Hours?

Stock market hours refer to regular trading hours.

This is the window of time where most trading volume occurs. There’s a good reason for that.

Orders issued in normal trading hours won’t execute in premarket or after hours. This stops low-volume price swings from triggering a trade…

This is pretty useful for traders who have a job, a family, or, you know, like to sleep.

To trade to your plan, most of the time you’ll need volume. I mean, it’s awesome to get into a stock that’s trading at low volume when demand is pushing it up…

The problem comes when you want to get out of the trade. Without enough volume, you can get stuck in a position.

It can turn brutal as you watch your paper gains turn into a loss. Eventually, you’ll just want to get out of the trade, no matter your exit.

When I talk about good setups on my Pre-Market Prep, I’m talking about regular stock market hours. Every trading day, I break down stocks that are moving in premarket on Instagram and multiple other platforms.

These are stocks that are trending up in premarket on decent volume. Often, they’ll have news behind them. It’s easy to get excited about these big premarket moves.

But it’s important to remember — I don’t recommend premarket trading for beginners.

I even created my 9:45 rule to help you stay disciplined.

9:45 rule coming up fast… what’s your play? pic.twitter.com/toKYc2uumr

— StocksToTrade (@StocksToTrade) October 23, 2020

Prepare for the stock market open time by doing your research.

Sign up for my no-cost Pre-Market Prep briefings to learn more about what I see daily.

North America Stock Market Hours

This is the continent most of you are familiar with…

But there’s more to the North American stock markets than the NYSE and Nasdaq.

Canada has several exchanges. The big one is the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). According to Yahoo Finance, it has a $3 trillion market cap. This makes it the ninth-largest exchange in the world.

The Mexican Stock Exchange (BSV) is one of two stock exchanges in Mexico. It’s also the second-largest stock exchange in Latin America. It’s the fifth-largest in the Americas.

If you’re a U.S.-based trader, the opening times on these stock markets might fit your schedule.

NYSE Opening Time

The NYSE opening bell is the most famous sound in the markets. It goes off at 9.30 a.m. Eastern every trading day.

NYSE Trading Hours

On normal trading days, the NYSE is open from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. That’s most weekdays, with the exception of nine trading holidays.

Many trading holidays are bookended by a half-day of trading before or after the holiday. On half-days, the market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Normal trading days have two extended-hours sessions. Premarket goes from 4 a.m. to the opening bell at 9.30 a.m. Eastern. After-hours starts at the closing bell at 4 p.m. and goes till 8 p.m. Eastern.

Nasdaq Trading Hours

Nasdaq follows the same market holidays and trading hours as the NYSE.

Toronto Stock Exchange Trading Hours

Every trading day, the TSX is open from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.

Extended hours are different, though. Premarket goes from 7 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. Eastern. After-hours is 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.

Mexican Stock Exchange Trading Hours

The BSV’s regular trading hours go from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern.

South America Stock Market Hours

South America has more than a dozen major stock exchanges. They’re called bolsa de valores in Spanish — ‘bag of values.’

Leading the way is the B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão. This is Latin America’s leading stock exchange, located in São Paulo. It has nearly $1 trillion in capitalization. This makes it the 18th-largest exchange in the world, according to Yahoo.

Brazilian Stock Exchange Trading Hours

The B3 trades from 10 a.m. to 4.55 p.m. Eastern on regular trading days.

Stock Market Hours in Asia

Now more than ever, the Asian markets are driving world trading.

Well, maybe not ever. In 1990, the Tokyo Stock Exchange accounted for 60% (!) of the world’s market cap. Now it’s down to the fourth-largest market in the world.

It’s had to make space for China’s largest stock market, the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It’s now the third largest in the world.

Also in contention are booming markets in India and the integrated market in South Korea.

Chinese Stock Exchange Trading Hours

China has two big trading hubs — three, if you count Hong Kong.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges trade from 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time. Both have no trading during their lunch breaks, from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange trades from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Its lunch goes from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. local time.

Tokyo Stock Exchange Trading Hours

The Tokyo Stock Exchange trades from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time. Its no-trade lunch hour goes from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. local time.

National Stock Exchange of India Trading Hours

The National Stock Exchange of India trades from 9.15 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. local time. No lunch hour on this one.

South Korea Stock Exchange Trading Hours

South Korea also has no lunch break. It’s a straight shot from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. local time.

Stock Market Hours at Exchanges in Europe

The London Stock Exchange used to be Europe’s trading center.

In the age of the Eurozone, many more trading centers have popped up. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange are two of the other major trading hubs.

London Stock Exchange Trading Hours

The United Kingdom’s main market trades from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. local time.

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Trading Hours

Germany’s largest exchange trades from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

SIX Swiss Exchange Trading Hours

Switzerland’s main exchange is based in Zurich. It trades from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. local time.

Australia/Oceania Stock Market Hours

The biggest stock market in the region is the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). It was established in 2006, and has a market cap near $1.6 trillion, according to Yahoo Finance.

This is good for the 12th-largest exchange in the world.

Australian Securities Exchange Trading Hours

The ASX trades from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time for the regular session.

Africa Stock Market Hours

The most notable exchange in Africa is the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). It’s now within striking distance of the $1 trillion club.

Johannesburg Stock Exchange Trading Hours

The JSE trades from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.

What Are Extended Hours in the Stock Market?

‘Extended hours’ refers to both the premarket and after-hours sessions.

Like I said earlier, I don’t recommend you trade during extended hours. Price action can be deceptive in these sessions. Stocks can look like they’re breaking out … but sometimes it’s only on a few hundred shares being traded!

That doesn’t mean you should ignore these sessions. I use them to plan for good setups during regular trading hours.

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How Do You Trade Internationally Considering the Stock Market Hours?

My SteadyTrade Team students come from all over. Our world is more connected than ever before…

And international traders add volume just like the rest of us!

Whether you’re an international trader or a digital nomad, the same rules apply. Find a broker that fits your trading needs. Then make sure your trading strategy matches your lifestyle.

Wherever you are, I recommend finding a good community of traders. You need people to support you and give you feedback. This is even more important when you’re trading internationally.

I give twice-daily webinars and we have one of the best chat rooms around. Come join the SteadyTrade Team if you’re ready to hone your trading skills!

Frequently Asked Questions About Stock Market Hours

Is the Share Market Open Today?

That depends on the market, what day it is, and what time it is. Shares of companies trade on stock markets. The stock market that hosts the stock is the abbreviation in the first part of the ticker. Once you know which exchange you’re looking at, you can look up its hours of operation.

Is the Dow Open Today?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is one of the most famous stock market indexes. Like the Nikkei stock market index, its price changes only during regular trading hours. So if it’s a weekday, and not a stock market holiday, the Dow will be open today.

Can You Buy Stocks After Hours?

You can, but I don’t recommend it for beginners. Trading after hours is tricky because the volume is usually low. This can lead to big price fluctuations and large bid-ask spreads. It’s also easier to get stuck in a position.

Why Do Stocks Jump After Hours?

Stocks can still trade after regular market hours on most exchanges. The same rules of supply and demand apply. When a stock is in demand, and the supply becomes a trickle after hours, it can really pop!

Can You Trade Stocks 24 Hours a Day?

You don’t even have to sign up to foreign stock exchanges to do this. Nowadays, some U.S. brokers, like TD Ameritrade, allow you to trade select securities 24 hours a day.

The Bottom Line About Stock Market Hours

That’s it for our whistle-stop tour of stock market hours around the world.

You might not trade on these exchanges. But every time you learn more about the world of trading, you’re adding to your edge.

If you’re serious about trading, you want to immerse yourself in it.

So turn off the sports. If you’re reading or watching something, make sure it helps you learn, not escape.

I could give you more examples of how connected our world is…

How knowledge of Chinese markets can give you ideas about locally traded stocks…

But it isn’t about the payoff. It’s about building your knowledge base. The payoff is becoming a smarter trader.

Have you ever traded a foreign stock? Was it worth it? Let me know in the comments!