Things You Must Know Before Trading the US Stock Market
If you are planning to buy and sell US stocks, there are essential things you need to know. Specifically, trading hours and market holidays. The US has a significantly different time zone from Korea, and daylight saving time is also applied, so if you don’t know the exact times, you may miss trading opportunities or incur unexpected losses. Additionally, unlike the Korean market, the US stock market has no price limit bands, making it difficult to respond quickly during sharp declines. In this article, I will organize all trading information, including the 2025 US stock market holidays, in a table for your reference.
Overview of the 3 Major US Stock Exchanges
US stock trading mainly occurs on three exchanges.
New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) has been operating since 1792 and is the largest exchange in the world. About 2,400 companies are listed, with a total market capitalization of approximately $23 trillion. Traditional large-cap stocks such as Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart are mainly traded.
Nasdaq(NASDAQ) started in 1971 and is characterized by a focus on technology companies. Stocks like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia are traded here, and in terms of market capitalization, it is the second largest in the world after the NYSE.
American Stock Exchange(AMEX) mainly lists mid-sized and small-cap companies, making it popular among investors looking to trade stocks of early-growth-stage companies.
Complete Guide to US Stock Trading Hours
Based on Korea time
All three exchanges operate at the same hours, which are as follows in Korea Standard Time.
Category
US Eastern Time
Korea Time (During Daylight Saving Time)
Pre-market
04:00~09:30
17:00~23:30 (16:00~22:30)
Regular Trading
09:30~16:00
23:30~06:00 (22:30~05:00)
After-hours
16:00~20:00
Next day 06:00~10:00 (05:00~09:00)
Most trading volume is concentrated during regular hours, but trading is also possible during pre-market and after-hours. Keep in mind that liquidity is lower, and bid-ask spreads can be wider.
Check Trading Regulations
All three major US exchanges trade in US dollars(USD), and settlement occurs two business days after the trade. The most notable point is that there are no price limit bands(lock limit) in the US stock market. Unlike Korea, sharp declines can occur in a single trade, so since the market operates at night Korea time, you should prepare risk management strategies accordingly.
2025 US Stock Market Holidays Schedule
The US stock market is closed on national and federal holidays. The holidays for 2025 are as follows.
Date
Reason
January 1 (Wed)
New Year’s Day
January 9 (Thu)
National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter
January 20 (Mon)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 17 (Mon)
Presidents’ Day
April 18 (Fri)
Good Friday
May 26 (Mon)
Memorial Day
June 19 (Thu)
Juneteenth Day
July 4 (Fri)
Independence Day
September 1 (Mon)
Labor Day
November 27 (Thu)
Thanksgiving Day
December 25 (Thu)
Christmas Day
Check Early Close Dates
Although not holidays, some days see early market close at 1 PM Eastern Time(.
Date
Reason
Korea Time Close Time
July 3 )Thu(
Day before Independence Day
02:00 AM next day
November 28 )Fri(
Day after Thanksgiving
03:00 AM next day
December 24 )Wed(
Christmas Eve
03:00 AM next day
Be Careful with Daylight Saving Time
From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, daylight saving time is applied in the US. During this period, US Eastern Time is moved one hour ahead, so trading hours in Korea are also effectively one hour earlier. If you don’t adjust your schedule in advance, you may miss trading times, so be cautious.
Comparison of Trading Hours of Major Global Stock Exchanges
If you are trading stocks in other countries besides the US, refer to this table.
Exchange
Local Time
Korea Time
Korea Exchange
09:00~15:30
09:00~15:30
Tokyo Stock Exchange
09:00~15:00 )Break 11:30~12:30(
10:30~16:30
London Stock Exchange
08:00~16:30
17:00~01:30 )Break 16:00~00:30(*
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
09:30~16:00 )Break 12:00~13:00(
10:30~17:00 )Break 13:00~14:00(
Shanghai Stock Exchange
09:30~15:00 )Break 11:30~13:00(
10:30~16:00 )Break 12:30~14:00(
*) During Daylight Saving Time(
Final Checklist for Efficient Trading
When planning US stock trading, be sure to check the following:
Mark 2025 market holidays on your calendar
Confirm trading hours based on Korea time
Check whether daylight saving time is in effect and adjust your schedule accordingly
Be aware that there are no price limit bands in the exchanges and manage risks accordingly
Consider the low liquidity during pre-market and after-hours trading
Only well-informed investors who have accurate information will not miss market opportunities. Always double-check the latest information before trading and plan your investments carefully.
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When will US stock trading start in 2025? Complete guide to holidays and trading hours
Things You Must Know Before Trading the US Stock Market
If you are planning to buy and sell US stocks, there are essential things you need to know. Specifically, trading hours and market holidays. The US has a significantly different time zone from Korea, and daylight saving time is also applied, so if you don’t know the exact times, you may miss trading opportunities or incur unexpected losses. Additionally, unlike the Korean market, the US stock market has no price limit bands, making it difficult to respond quickly during sharp declines. In this article, I will organize all trading information, including the 2025 US stock market holidays, in a table for your reference.
Overview of the 3 Major US Stock Exchanges
US stock trading mainly occurs on three exchanges.
New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) has been operating since 1792 and is the largest exchange in the world. About 2,400 companies are listed, with a total market capitalization of approximately $23 trillion. Traditional large-cap stocks such as Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart are mainly traded.
Nasdaq(NASDAQ) started in 1971 and is characterized by a focus on technology companies. Stocks like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia are traded here, and in terms of market capitalization, it is the second largest in the world after the NYSE.
American Stock Exchange(AMEX) mainly lists mid-sized and small-cap companies, making it popular among investors looking to trade stocks of early-growth-stage companies.
Complete Guide to US Stock Trading Hours
Based on Korea time
All three exchanges operate at the same hours, which are as follows in Korea Standard Time.
Most trading volume is concentrated during regular hours, but trading is also possible during pre-market and after-hours. Keep in mind that liquidity is lower, and bid-ask spreads can be wider.
Check Trading Regulations
All three major US exchanges trade in US dollars(USD), and settlement occurs two business days after the trade. The most notable point is that there are no price limit bands(lock limit) in the US stock market. Unlike Korea, sharp declines can occur in a single trade, so since the market operates at night Korea time, you should prepare risk management strategies accordingly.
2025 US Stock Market Holidays Schedule
The US stock market is closed on national and federal holidays. The holidays for 2025 are as follows.
Check Early Close Dates
Although not holidays, some days see early market close at 1 PM Eastern Time(.
Be Careful with Daylight Saving Time
From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, daylight saving time is applied in the US. During this period, US Eastern Time is moved one hour ahead, so trading hours in Korea are also effectively one hour earlier. If you don’t adjust your schedule in advance, you may miss trading times, so be cautious.
Comparison of Trading Hours of Major Global Stock Exchanges
If you are trading stocks in other countries besides the US, refer to this table.
*) During Daylight Saving Time(
Final Checklist for Efficient Trading
When planning US stock trading, be sure to check the following:
Only well-informed investors who have accurate information will not miss market opportunities. Always double-check the latest information before trading and plan your investments carefully.