What Time Does the Stock Market Close? US Trading Hours

The U.S. stock market closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on regular trading days. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq follow this schedule, opening at 9:30 a.m. ET, Monday through Friday. However, holidays, early closures, and extended-hours trading can affect when investors can buy and sell stocks.

What Time Does the Stock Market Close Today?

The NYSE and Nasdaq normally close at 4:00 p.m. ET. Their regular trading session lasts 6.5 hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Here is the standard U.S. stock market schedule:

Pre-market and after-hours availability depends on the exchange, trading venue, and brokerage. Not every investor can trade throughout the full extended-hours window.

The regular closing time remains 4:00 p.m. ET whether the U.S. is observing Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

You can check the official NYSE trading hours and holiday calendar for scheduled closures and early closing days.

What Time Does the Stock Market Close in Different Time Zones?

For investors outside New York, the closing time depends on their local time zone.

US Stock Market Closing Times by Time Zone

These times apply to regular trading sessions on the NYSE and Nasdaq.

What Time Does the US Stock Market Close Internationally?

International investors also need to account for U.S. daylight saving time, which generally begins in March and ends in November.

*London and Sydney also observe daylight saving time, but their clock changes do not align exactly with the United States. Closing times can differ during transition weeks.*

For overseas investors, the U.S. trading session often extends into the following calendar day. A Friday market close in New York, for example, occurs on Saturday morning in much of Asia.

Does the Stock Market Close Early on Holidays?

Yes. The U.S. stock market follows a holiday calendar, and some trading sessions end earlier than usual.

On designated early-close days, the NYSE and Nasdaq typically stop regular stock trading at 1:00 p.m. ET, three hours before the normal close.

US Stock Market Holidays and Early Closures in 2026

The remaining scheduled early-close dates in 2026 are November 27 and December 24. Both exchanges are scheduled to close at 1:00 p.m. ET on those days.

Holiday schedules can change, so investors should check the official Nasdaq holiday schedule before placing time-sensitive trades.

Can You Trade Stocks After the Market Closes?

Yes. The regular stock market closes at 4:00 p.m. ET, but eligible investors can continue trading through after-hours sessions.

How After-Hours Trading Works

The standard Nasdaq after-hours session runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Trading takes place electronically, and access depends on the brokerage.

For example, a company might release its quarterly earnings at 4:15 p.m. ET, shortly after the regular market closes. Investors with extended-hours access may be able to react immediately rather than waiting until the next morning.

However, after-hours trading differs from regular trading in several ways:

• Lower liquidity: Fewer active buyers and sellers can make orders harder to fill.
• Wider bid-ask spreads: The difference between buying and selling prices may increase.
• Higher volatility: Prices can move sharply following earnings announcements or major news.
• Order restrictions: Some brokers permit only limit orders during extended hours.

A stock trading at $100 at the regular close could move to $105 after an earnings announcement. That after-hours price does not guarantee the stock will open at $105 the next morning.

Is the Stock Market Open 24 Hours?

The NYSE and Nasdaq do not operate their regular trading sessions 24 hours a day.

Some brokerages offer overnight stock trading through alternative trading venues, but supported securities, execution conditions, and trading hours vary.

Nasdaq has also outlined plans for nearly continuous weekday trading, including a proposed overnight session. Its broader trading-hours expansion depends on regulatory and market infrastructure requirements.

Investors should distinguish overnight brokerage access from the regular exchange trading session.

Why Does the 4 PM Stock Market Close Matter?

The 4:00 p.m. ET close is more than the end of the trading day. It is a major reference point for stock prices, portfolio valuations, and market performance.

Closing Prices and the Closing Auction

On the NYSE, the closing auction takes place at 4:00 p.m. ET, bringing together eligible buy and sell orders to establish an official closing price.

Institutional investors, index funds, and other market participants often concentrate activity near the closing bell.

This can produce substantial trading volume during the final minutes of the session, particularly on days involving index rebalancing, options expiration, or major economic developments.

What Happens to Orders Placed After 4 PM?

It depends on the order type and brokerage settings.

A regular-session day order that remains unfilled generally expires at the end of its applicable trading session. A good-til-canceled order may remain active for future eligible sessions, subject to broker rules.

An order specifically authorized for extended-hours trading may execute after 4:00 p.m. ET if the security is eligible and a matching order is available.

Investors should check the order's time-in-force and trading-session settings rather than assuming every order will execute after the closing bell.

FAQs About Stock Market Closing Times

What time does the NYSE close?

The New York Stock Exchange closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on regular trading days. Scheduled early-close sessions generally end at 1:00 p.m. ET.

What time does Nasdaq close?

Nasdaq closes at 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding market holidays. Eligible after-hours trading generally continues until 8:00 p.m. ET.

What time does the stock market close on Friday?

The U.S. stock market normally closes at 4:00 p.m. ET on Fridays. Certain Fridays, including the day after Thanksgiving, have an early 1:00 p.m. ET close.

Is the stock market open on Saturday or Sunday?

No. Regular NYSE and Nasdaq trading sessions are closed on weekends, although some alternative venues may offer trading outside the standard weekday schedule.

What time does the stock market close on Christmas Eve?

In 2026, the NYSE and Nasdaq are scheduled to close at 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 24. Both exchanges will be closed on Christmas Day.

Does the stock market close at 4 PM EST or EDT?

It closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. That means 4:00 p.m. EST during standard time and 4:00 p.m. EDT during daylight saving time.

The Bottom Line

The U.S. stock market normally closes at 4:00 p.m. ET, with regular trading beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET. On scheduled early-close days, trading ends at 1:00 p.m. ET instead.

After-hours trading can extend access until 8:00 p.m. ET, but liquidity, prices, and order execution may differ from the regular session.

For most investors, the key is to follow the official NYSE or Nasdaq calendar, account for time zone changes, and confirm their brokerage's trading hours before placing an order.