Knowing when the market is open is essential for planning your trades. But the stock market does not just operate during "regular" hours anymore. Pre-market and after-hours sessions extend the trading day, creating both opportunities and risks. This guide explains all the trading sessions and what you need to know about each.
Regular Market Hours
The main US stock exchanges (NYSE and NASDAQ) operate during these hours:
Regular Trading Session:
Monday through Friday
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time
This is when most trading volume occurs.
Time Zone Conversions
- Eastern (ET): 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Central (CT): 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Mountain (MT): 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
- Pacific (PT): 6:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Why Regular Hours Matter
- Highest liquidity and trading volume
- Tightest bid-ask spreads
- Best price discovery
- All order types available
Pre-Market Trading
Pre-market trading occurs before the regular session opens.
Pre-Market Hours
Early Pre-Market: 4:00 AM - 8:00 AM ET (limited participation)
Main Pre-Market: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET (most brokers)
Volume and liquidity increase as the regular open approaches.
Why Trade Pre-Market?
- React to overnight news and earnings releases
- Position before market-moving announcements
- Economic data releases (often at 8:30 AM ET)
- Trade based on international market movements
Pre-Market Risks
- Lower volume means wider spreads
- Prices can be more volatile
- Harder to execute large orders
- Limited order types (usually limit orders only)
After-Hours Trading
After-hours trading occurs after the regular session closes.
After-Hours Sessions
Main After-Hours: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET (most brokers)
Late After-Hours: Some platforms offer trading until 11:59 PM ET
Activity is highest right after market close and fades as the evening progresses.
Why Trade After-Hours?
- React to earnings releases (most announced after close)
- Respond to breaking news
- Adjust positions based on after-close developments
- Trade around your work schedule
After-Hours Risks
- Same liquidity concerns as pre-market
- Wide spreads can result in poor fills
- Prices may not reflect where the stock opens next day
- Electronic communication networks (ECNs) handle most volume
Important: Extended hours prices often do not predict where a stock will trade at the next regular open. Large moves in after-hours can reverse by morning.
Market Holidays
US stock markets are closed on these holidays:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
- Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Early Close Days
Markets close at 1:00 PM ET on certain days:
- Day before Independence Day (if July 4 is a weekday)
- Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving)
- Christmas Eve (if December 24 is a weekday)
Key Times During the Trading Day
Different times of day have different characteristics:
Market Open (9:30 - 10:00 AM ET)
- Highest volatility and volume of the day
- Prices adjusting to overnight news
- Wide price swings common
- Many experienced traders wait for this period to pass
Mid-Morning (10:00 - 11:30 AM ET)
- Volatility settles down
- Trends often establish themselves
- Good time for making trading decisions
Lunch Hour (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ET)
- Volume typically drops
- Price movements can be choppy
- Many traders take a break
Afternoon Session (1:00 - 3:00 PM ET)
- Volume picks up again
- Institutional trading increases
- Trends may strengthen or reverse
Power Hour (3:00 - 4:00 PM ET)
- High volume as traders close positions
- Increased volatility
- Institutional portfolio rebalancing
- Strong moves can occur
Trading Extended Hours: Practical Tips
If You Trade Pre-Market
- Use limit orders only (market orders are risky)
- Check the bid-ask spread before ordering
- Start with small positions
- Watch for news that could move prices at open
If You Trade After-Hours
- Be aware that earnings reactions can reverse overnight
- Wide spreads mean worse execution
- Lower your position size
- Consider waiting for regular hours for better liquidity
Track Your Trading Across All Sessions
Pro Trader Dashboard records your trades whether they happen during regular hours, pre-market, or after-hours. See how your performance differs across sessions.
Other Markets and Their Hours
If you trade beyond US stocks, be aware of other market hours:
US Futures Markets
Trade nearly 24 hours Sunday evening through Friday afternoon with brief daily breaks.
Forex Markets
Open 24 hours Sunday evening through Friday evening, following global trading sessions.
Cryptocurrency
Trades 24/7/365 with no market closures.
International Stock Markets
- London: 3:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET
- Tokyo: 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM ET (previous day)
- Hong Kong: 9:30 PM - 4:00 AM ET
Summary
The US stock market operates from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time on weekdays, with extended hours available before and after. Regular hours offer the best liquidity and tightest spreads. Extended hours trading is available but comes with increased risks including wider spreads and lower volume.
Understanding market hours helps you plan when to trade and what to expect during different parts of the day. Most beginners should focus on regular market hours until they understand the additional risks of extended sessions.
Continue learning with our trading terminology guide or learn about common beginner mistakes.