Trading Guide: When Wall Street and Its Major Stock Exchanges Operate

Wall Street Calendar: Understanding Trading Hours

When we talk about investing in U.S. markets, it is essential to know when the main exchanges are actually open. Wall Street does not refer to a single market but to an ecosystem of three stock exchanges with specific characteristics and schedules. Although they share many operational similarities, there are key differences that every investor must master.

▶ NYSE: The Queen of Global Markets

The New York Stock Exchange is undeniably the most important exchange on the planet. Founded over two centuries ago by brokers who decided to formalize their operations, Wall Street has become the must-visit destination for the most influential companies in the world.

NYSE Daily Trading Hours

Schedule in Eastern Time (ET)

When Does the Main Trading Session Start and End?

The regular operations of the NYSE begin at 9:30 am local time and extend until 4:00 pm local time. This nearly seven-hour window is when most trading volume is concentrated on Wall Street.

Extended Sessions: Pre-Market and After-Market

Beyond the conventional hours, the NYSE allows trading before and after official closing. The pre-market segment runs from 4:00 am to 9:30 am, while the after-market segment (after-market) extends from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. These periods tend to have lower liquidity and higher volatility.

NYSE Closing Calendar for 2025

The market is closed on 10 holidays throughout the year:

NYSE According to Your Time Zone

For investors in Spanish-speaking capitals, here are the equivalent hours:

▶ Nasdaq: The Heart of Technology

Nasdaq operates under the same hours as Wall Street, although it has historically specialized in technology and biotech companies. Its name comes from the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation, and it is the second most important market in the United States.

When Does Nasdaq Open and Close

The market begins its regular trading hours at 9:30 am local time and concludes at 4:00 pm local time. Although it is the second-largest exchange, it maintains the same opening hours as the NYSE.

Pre-Market and After-Market Sessions on Nasdaq

Nasdaq also offers trading opportunities outside regular hours. The pre-market runs from 4:00 am to 9:30 am (local time), while the after-market operates from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (local time).

Weekly Schedule Table for Nasdaq

Schedule in Eastern Time (ET)

Nasdaq Holidays in 2025

Nasdaq follows almost the same holiday calendar as Wall Street, with the exception of Juneteenth. The closures are on the same dates mentioned above for the NYSE.

Hours of Nasdaq by Spanish-speaking Country

▶ NYSE American (AMEX): The Small-Cap Platform

NYSE American is less known than its counterparts but represents the ideal space for small-cap companies aiming to become the next giants of the market. These are companies with high potential for appreciation, although they also present lower liquidity and higher volatility.

NYSE American Opening Hours

NYSE American begins regular trading at 9:30 am local time.

NYSE American Closing Hours

The close of regular trading occurs at 4:00 pm local time.

Pre-Market and After-Market on NYSE American

This market has a more compressed pre-market: it operates from 7:00 am to 9:30 am (local time). The after-market takes place between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm (local time).

Weekly Trading Hours Table

Schedule in Eastern Time (ET)

NYSE American Closing Calendar 2025

As part of Wall Street, NYSE American follows the same holiday calendar as the NYSE. There are 10 closure days distributed throughout the year.

Local Hours for Spanish-speaking Cities

Summary: Synchronizing Markets for Global Investors

The three main U.S. markets—NYSE, Nasdaq, and NYSE American—share similar opening hours despite their different characteristics. Wall Street remains the global benchmark, but knowing when each exchange opens and closes is essential to optimize your investment strategy in the U.S. market.