
When most people think of holiday closures, they automatically focus on federal holidays. However, the U.S. stock markets don’t strictly adhere to federal holidays when deciding when they will be open. Additionally, while the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ follow the same holiday schedule, the U.S. bond market (SIFMA) doesn’t, making matters more confusing. Plus, each of the markets has a few short days too, adding another level of complexity to the mix.
U.S. Stock Market Holiday Schedule 2019
Since the NYSE and NASDAQ use the exact same holiday schedule, they both close at the same time. The only exception is technical issues that only impact one market.
Here is a look at the U.S. stock market holiday closure and short-day schedule for 2019:
Holiday | NYSE & NASDAQ | Date |
New Year’s Day | Closed | Tuesday, January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Closed | Monday, January 21 |
Washington’s Birthday | Closed | Monday, February 18 |
Good Friday | Closed | Friday, April 19 |
Memorial Day | Closed | Monday, May 27 |
Day Before Independence Day | Closes Early at 1:00 pm EST | Wednesday, July 3 |
Independence Day | Closed | Thursday, July 4 |
Labor Day | Closed | Monday, September 2 |
Thanksgiving | Closed | Thursday, November 28 |
Day After Thanksgiving | Closes Early at 1:00 pm EST | Friday, November 29 |
Christmas Eve | Closes Early at 1:00 pm EST | Tuesday, December 24 |
Christmas Day | Closed | Wednesday, December 25 |
As you can see, there are two federal holidays where the stock market doesn’t close: Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Additionally, while the federal government doesn’t recognize Good Friday as a holiday, the NYSE and NASDAQ do. There are also some short days that you won’t find on the federal government holiday schedule.
Regular Stock Market Trading Hours
Outside of the days listed above, all of the markets follow a specific schedule for trading hours.
At the NYSE, the pre-opening session begins at 6:30 am ET, Monday through Friday. Incoming orders are queued until the official opening auction at 9:30 am ET. Then, the core trading session begins at 9:30 am ET and continues until 4:00 pm ET. From 4:00 pm ET to 8:00 pm ET is the late trading session.
The NASDAQ follow a similar schedule. However, the pre-market trading hours for the NASDAQ start at 4:00 am ET instead of 6:30 am ET.
U.S. Bond Market Holiday Schedule 2019
SIFMA uses a different holiday schedule than the NYSE and NASDAQ. While many of the dates do coincide, there are a few differences.
Here is the U.S. bond market holiday schedule for 2019:
Holiday | SIFMA | Date |
New Year’s Day | Closed | Tuesday, January 1 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Closed | Monday, January 21 |
Presidents Day | Closed | Monday, February 18 |
Day Before Good Friday | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Thursday, April 18 |
Good Friday | Closed | Friday, April 19 |
Friday Before Memorial Day | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Friday, May 24 |
Memorial Day | Closed | Monday, May 27 |
Day Before Independence Day | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Wednesday, July 3 |
Independence Day | Closed | Thursday, July 4 |
Labor Day | Closed | Monday, September 2 |
Columbus Day | Closed | Monday, October 14 |
Veterans Day | Closed | Monday, November 11 |
Thanksgiving Day | Closed | Thursday, November 28 |
Day After Thanksgiving | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Friday, November 29 |
Christmas Eve | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Tuesday, December 24 |
Christmas Day | Closed | Wednesday, December 25 |
New Year’s Eve | Closes at 2:00 pm ET | Tuesday, December 31 |
Overall, the SIFMA closes much more often than the NYSE and NASDAQ, recognizing all of the federal holidays as well as some events that the government doesn’t include in its holiday calendar.
Unless there is a technical issue with the market, you can except the SIFMA to open according to its usual schedule every day that isn’t listed above.
Do International Stock Markets Have the Same Holiday Schedules?
No, international stock markets do not follow the same holiday schedules at the NYSE, NASDAQ, or SIFMA. However, some markets do close on some of the same days.
For example, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) is closed on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Christmas. However, the LSE is open on Independence Day, Labor Day, and several other U.S. holidays.
Additionally, international stock markets may close on days that the U.S. stock markets are open. For instance, the LSE closes on April 22, Easter Monday, even though the U.S. markets don’t.
Read More:
- 2019 Federal Holiday Schedule
- Bank of America Holidays 2019
- Get into National Parks Fee Free on These Days in 2019
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Is there a reason they stock market remains open on Columbus and Veterans days even thought they are federal holidays?
Federal holidays only apply to federal employees. Since the stock exchanges are private, they don’t have to follow the federal holiday schedule.
new year’s eve is a thursday, not a wednesday!
thanks for very useful information.