Stock Market Trading Hours: What Time Is the Stock Market Open Today?

While it is true that the stock market has regular trading hours, trading does not cease when major exchanges close.

When does the market open?

It is a simple question, but there are more answers than you might expect.

Except for stock market holidays, the regular trading hours for the U.S. stock market, which includes the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are also several days, such as Christmas Eve, when the stock market closes early at 1 p.m., typically around other holidays (All times Eastern unless otherwise indicated.)

However, trading also occurs outside of these normal trading hours. On days with a regular session, for example, "pre-market" trading occurs. This takes place prior to the market, and while the hours vary, they can begin as early as 4:00 a.m. and last until 9:30 a.m. There is also "after-hours" trading, which typically occurs from 4 to 8 p.m. after the market closes.

Rather than using a middleman, pre-market and after-hours trading is conducted on "electronic communications networks" (ECNs) that pair buyers and sellers directly. Once exclusive to large institutional buyers, brokers and trading platforms such as Fidelity and Charles Schwab now facilitate this type of trading for market participants. However, many brokers restrict the types of transactions that can occur during pre-market and after-hours trading, so you should check with your broker to determine what is available.

When Does the Market Open for Trading Commodities?

Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. to Friday evening at 5:00 p.m., CME Group (opens in a new tab) exchanges host electronic trading for commodities such as oil, gold, and wheat. Competing Intercontinental Exchange trading hours are from 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Friday. Meanwhile, commodity ETFs and mutual funds can be traded during normal stock market hours.

When Does the Cryptocurrency Market Open?

The digital currency market has the easiest-to-remember schedule. Cryptocurrencies are traded around the clock, seven days per week. From Bitcoin to the smallest altcoin, it is possible to scratch an itch at any time. However, not all brokerage firms offer access to cryptocurrencies, so you should check with yours to see if they permit buying and selling of digital assets – or locate a centralized crypto exchange such as Coinbase Global (COIN).

When Does the Market Open on Weekends?

There are no normal stock trading hours on Saturdays or Sundays. The majority of futures contracts (including equity futures, but also commodities such as oil and agricultural products and other investments) begin trading on Sunday night on the major exchanges. If you see news on a Sunday night stating that stock futures are down, this is the reason why.

When Does the Stock Market Open for International Stocks?

Depending on the country they are following, investors who wish to trade international markets and global stocks in real time will need to brew a pot of coffee in the evening.

Here are the trading hours for some of the world's largest stock markets. (All times listed here represent normal business hours, Monday through Friday, and are in Eastern time.)

• Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX): 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Mexico Stock Exchange (BMV): 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• London Stock Exchange (LSE): 3 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Euronext Paris (EPA): 3 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA): 3 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Switzerland Stock Exchange (SIX) 00:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. A clearing day lasts from 08:00 to 18:15 (CET).
  
• Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE): 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.
• Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE): 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.
• Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKG): 9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m., 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

In contrast, investors can trade American depositary receipts (ADRs) during normal U.S. trading hours.