When does the stock market open and close?
When does the stock market open?New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) & Nasdaq (US): Opening time: 2:30 p.m. GMTLondon Stock Exchange (LSE): Opening time: 8:00 a.m. GMTTokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): Opening time: 12:00 a.m. GMTEuronext Paris: Opening time: 8:00 a.m. GMTHong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX): Opening time: 1:30 a.m. GMTShanghai Stock Exchange (SSE): Opening time: 1:30 a.m. GMTWhen does the stock market close?New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) & Nasdaq (US): Closing time: 9:00 p.m. GMTLondon Stock Exchange (LSE): Closing time: 4:30 p.m. GMTTokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): Closing time: 6:00 a.m. GMTEuronext Paris: Closing time: 4:30 p.m. GMTHong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX): Closing time: 8:00 a.m. GMTShanghai Stock Exchange (SSE): Closing time: 7:00 a.m. GMTUnderstanding gaps in the marketYou 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 closuresStock markets close on major holidays, affecting trading schedules. Below are key holiday closures for 2025:
NYSE & Nasdaq (US)New Year's Day – January 1Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20Presidents' Day – February 17Good Friday – April 18Memorial Day – May 26Juneteenth – June 19Independence Day – July 4Labor Day – September 1Thanksgiving – November 27Christmas Day – December 25London Stock Exchange (LSE)New Year's Day – January 1Good Friday – April 18Easter Monday – April 21Christmas Day – December 25Boxing Day – December 26Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)New Year's Day – January 1Coming of Age Day – January 13National Foundation Day – February 11Vernal Equinox – March 20Constitution Memorial Day – May 3Children's Day – May 5Respect for the Aged Day – September 15Labor Thanksgiving Day – November 23Emperor’s Birthday – December 23Euronext ParisNew Year's Day – January 1Good Friday – April 18Easter Monday – April 21Labor Day – May 1Bastille Day – July 14Christmas Day – December 25Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)New Year's Day – January 1Lunar New Year – January 31-February 3Ching Ming Festival – April 5Good Friday – April 18Labor Day – May 1National Day – October 1Christmas Day – December 25Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)New Year's Day – January 1Lunar New Year – February 6-10Labor Day – May 1National Day – October 1-5The 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 & VolatilityThe 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.
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