2026 U.S. Stock Market Closing Days Complete Guide: Opening Hours, Trading Rules, Holidays at a Glance

If you are a Korean investor investing in the U.S. stock market, one of the essential things to keep track of is the stock market closing days. Especially in 2026, you need to consider daylight saving time changes, holidays and commemorative days, as well as the time difference between Korea and the U.S., so it’s very important to understand these dates in advance. Not knowing the closing days properly could cause you to miss trading opportunities or suffer unexpected losses.

This guide provides all the necessary information to plan efficient investments by covering the full schedule of U.S. stock market closing days in 2026, daily trading hours, details of major U.S. stock exchanges, and comparisons with international markets.

Why is it important to know the U.S. stock market closing days?

Unlike the Korean market, the U.S. stock market operates under daylight saving time, and the significant time difference makes it essential to be aware not only of closing days but also of the exact trading hours. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and American Stock Exchange (AMEX) all operate based on Eastern Standard Time, which, when converted to Korean time, means trading occurs during nighttime hours.

Additionally, since the U.S. market does not have price limit up/down rules like Korea, sharp fluctuations can occur even on days when the market is open but not on a closing day. Therefore, understanding the precise trading schedule and holiday information in advance is the most basic way to minimize investment losses.

Full schedule of U.S. stock market closing days in 2026

U.S. market holidays are based on federal holidays and specific commemorative days. Below is the complete list of stock market closing days in 2026.

In addition, there are days when trading hours are shortened, even though the market is not officially closed. On the day before Independence Day (July 2), the day after Thanksgiving (November 27), and Christmas Eve (December 24), the market closes early at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (which is 2:00 AM the next day in Korea). If you plan to trade on these days, be mindful of the shortened hours.

Comparison of trading hours of the three major U.S. stock exchanges

All major U.S. stock exchanges operate during the same trading hours, but the time difference with Korea is significant, and during daylight saving time, trading hours shift by one hour.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

Founded in 1792, the NYSE is the largest stock exchange in the world, listing about 2,400 companies with a total market cap of approximately $23 trillion. It mainly lists traditional blue-chip companies (e.g., Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, Walmart).

Regular trading hours:

• Eastern Time: 09:30–16:00
• Korean Time: 23:30–06:00 (during daylight saving time: 22:30–05:00)

Pre-market hours:

• Eastern Time: 04:00–09:30
• Korean Time: 18:00–23:30 (during daylight saving time: 17:00–22:30)

After-hours trading:

• Eastern Time: 16:00–20:00
• Korean Time: next day 06:00–10:00 (during daylight saving time: 05:00–09:00)

NASDAQ

Established in 1971, NASDAQ is the second-largest exchange globally, hosting mainly tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia. Its trading hours are the same as NYSE.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX)

AMEX primarily lists mid- and small-cap companies. Its trading hours, trading currency (USD), and settlement period (T+2) are the same as NYSE and NASDAQ.

Trading regulations and precautions

Common trading regulations across U.S. exchanges include:

• Trading currency: USD
• Trading unit: 1 share
• Settlement period: T+2 (two business days)
• Price limits: None (a key difference from Korean markets)

The absence of price limits means that sudden price swings can happen without restrictions, which is especially important for Korean investors since trading occurs during Korea’s nighttime hours. Proper risk management before trading is essential.

Additionally, daylight saving time runs from the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM to the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM, during which trading hours are shifted forward by one hour in Korea.

Comparison of trading hours of major global stock markets

To prepare for investing in other international markets, here is a summary of trading hours of major exchanges:

How to plan successful investments in 2026

To make the most of the 2026 U.S. stock market closing days, it’s important to establish an annual plan in advance. Consider market volatility before and after market holidays to develop your trading strategies.

• Before closing days: Increased volatility due to risk-averse sentiment
• After closing days: Potential for sharp movements at market open
• During daylight saving time changes: Trading hours may shift, causing confusion

Regularly check official announcements from U.S. stock exchanges and mark the closing days on your calendar to prevent trading mistakes. Accurate schedule awareness will help you achieve a more efficient and stable investment experience.