Trading news

When does the stock market open and close?

By Paul Reid

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Here’s a complete list of stock market opening and closing times, including holiday closures such as Presidents day (Nasdaq). As a trader, you’d be wise to know these times and dates so you can prepare your strategies, but more importantly, so you don’t get burned by the volatility that often follows a closed market.

When does the stock market open?

  1. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) & Nasdaq (US): Opening time: 2:30 p.m. GMT
  2. London Stock Exchange (LSE): Opening time: 8:00 a.m. GMT
  3. Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): Opening time: 12:00 a.m. GMT
  4. Euronext Paris: Opening time: 8:00 a.m. GMT
  5. Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX): Opening time: 1:30 a.m. GMT
  6. Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE): Opening time: 1:30 a.m. GMT

When does the stock market close?

  1. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) & Nasdaq (US): Closing time: 9:00 p.m. GMT
  2. London Stock Exchange (LSE): Closing time: 4:30 p.m. GMT
  3. Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): Closing time: 6:00 a.m. GMT
  4. Euronext Paris: Closing time: 4:30 p.m. GMT
  5. Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX): Closing time: 8:00 a.m. GMT
  6. Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE): Closing time: 7:00 a.m. GMT

Understanding gaps in the market

You may have noticed that the stock markets usually don’t open at the same figures as when they closed. A stock gaps up or down when it opens significantly higher or lower than its previous closing price. This happens due to factors such as:

  • After-hours & pre-market trading – Prices shift before the official open.
  • Earnings reports – Strong or weak earnings can trigger immediate reactions.
  • Economic news – Data releases like inflation or employment numbers influence prices.
  • Trader psychology – Fear or excitement causes traders to rush into orders.

Stock market holidays and closures

Stock markets close on major holidays, affecting trading schedules. Below are key holiday closures for 2025:

NYSE & Nasdaq (US)

  • New Year's Day – January 1
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20
  • Presidents' Day – February 17
  • Good Friday – April 18
  • Memorial Day – May 26
  • Juneteenth – June 19
  • Independence Day – July 4
  • Labor Day – September 1
  • Thanksgiving – November 27
  • Christmas Day – December 25

London Stock Exchange (LSE)

  • New Year's Day – January 1
  • Good Friday – April 18
  • Easter Monday – April 21
  • Christmas Day – December 25
  • Boxing Day – December 26

Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)

  • New Year's Day – January 1
  • Coming of Age Day – January 13
  • National Foundation Day – February 11
  • Vernal Equinox – March 20
  • Constitution Memorial Day – May 3
  • Children's Day – May 5
  • Respect for the Aged Day – September 15
  • Labor Thanksgiving Day – November 23
  • Emperor’s Birthday – December 23

Euronext Paris

  • New Year's Day – January 1
  • Good Friday – April 18
  • Easter Monday – April 21
  • Labor Day – May 1
  • Bastille Day – July 14
  • Christmas Day – December 25

Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)

  • New Year's Day – January 1
  • Lunar New Year – January 31-February 3
  • Ching Ming Festival – April 5
  • Good Friday – April 18
  • Labor Day – May 1
  • National Day – October 1
  • Christmas Day – December 25

Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)

  • New Year's Day – January 1
  • Lunar New Year – February 6-10
  • Labor Day – May 1
  • National Day – October 1-5

The most volatile trading periods occur when major stock market sessions overlap. These overlaps result in higher liquidity, increased trading volume, and more significant price movements. Here’s when and why:

Major Market Overlaps & Volatility

The financial markets experience the highest levels of volatility when trading sessions overlap, creating periods of increased liquidity and stronger price movements. The most significant of these is the New York-London overlap, occurring between 12:00 and 16:00 GMT. This is when the two largest financial centers in the world are active simultaneously, bringing together major institutions, hedge funds, and retail traders. As a result, forex pairs such as EURUSD, GBPUSD, and USDJPY see significant movement, along with commodities like gold (XAUUSD) and major stock indices including the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones. Cryptocurrencies also tend to experience heightened activity during this time.

Another notable overlap is between the London and Tokyo sessions, from 07:00 to 08:00 GMT. While it does not generate as much volatility as the New York-London window, this period still sees moderate price movements, particularly in JPY-based forex pairs like EURJPY and GBPJPY, as well as Asian stocks and European futures. Finally, the Sydney-Tokyo overlap, from 00:00 to 03:00 GMT, is typically the least volatile. However, it can still influence the markets, particularly for AUDUSD and USDJPY, as traders in the Asia-Pacific region begin their trading day.

With more participants actively trading, liquidity increases, leading to tighter spreads and better trade execution. Additionally, the presence of institutional traders—such as banks and hedge funds—during these periods contributes to sharp and sometimes unpredictable price swings, creating both risk and opportunity. For those seeking peak volatility, the New York-London overlap remains the most dynamic window for trading, offering the best conditions for short-term strategies and high-volume market activity.

Trade with Exness advantages

This is not investment advice. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Your capital is at risk, please trade responsibly.

Author:

Paul Reid

Paul Reid

Paul Reid is a financial journalist dedicated to uncovering hidden fundamental connections that can give traders an advantage. Focusing primarily on the stock market, Paul's instincts for identifying major company shifts is well established from following the financial markets for over a decade.

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