Trading Schedule Guide: Wall Street, Nasdaq, and NYSE American - Everything You Need to Know

Operating Hours on Wall Street and Major U.S. Markets

Investors operating in North American markets must know the trading hours precisely. Below are the trading windows of the three main stock exchanges.

NYSE: Calendar and Trading Hours

Time in Eastern Time (ET)

The New York Stock Exchange is globally recognized as the largest stock market on the planet. Wall Street, named after its geographic location, is synonymous with international financial power. Major corporations compete to be listed here, attracting world-class institutional investors.

When does Wall Street’s regular trading session start?

The NYSE regular session begins at 9:30 am local time (ET), when major indices like the S&P 500 open for trading.

When does the trading day end?

The regular session closes at 4:00 pm local time (ET).

Extended Trading Opportunities

There are two additional trading windows beyond the conventional hours:

Pre-Market: From 4:00 am to 9:30 am. Ideal for reacting to international news published overnight.

After-Market: From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Allows capturing movements following corporate announcements made after market close.

NYSE Holiday Calendar for 2025

In total, there are 10 days when Wall Street is closed.

NYSE Time Zone Equivalencies in Spanish-speaking Capitals

Nasdaq: Market Hours and Features

Time in Eastern Time (ET)

Nasdaq is the second most important stock exchange in the United States. Its acronym stands for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation. This market has established itself as the epicenter for technology and biotech companies, although it also hosts giants in other sectors like Marriott and American Airlines.

A key difference from Wall Street is that Nasdaq does not include financial stocks in its structure, whereas NYSE does.

Nasdaq Opening Hours

Nasdaq begins regular trading at 9:30 am local time (ET).

Nasdaq Closing Hours

The session closes at 4:00 pm local time (ET).

Extended Trading Sessions

Nasdaq offers two additional trading periods:

Pre-Market: From 4:00 am to 9:30 am, local time.

After-Market: From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, local time.

Main Nasdaq Indices

The Nasdaq 100 includes the 100 largest companies in the market and is the most followed indicator. The Nasdaq Composite encompasses all listed companies. Both indices are reviewed annually in October, with changes implemented in December.

Nasdaq Holiday Calendar 2025

The calendar closely matches NYSE, with the only exception being Juneteenth, which is not observed here:

Nasdaq Time Conversion for Spanish-speaking Countries

NYSE American (AMEX): The Small Caps Market

Time in Eastern Time (ET)

NYSE American is the least promoted platform among the three markets but hosts emerging companies with potential to become tech or entertainment giants. It specializes in small caps, low-capitalization companies characterized by high appreciation potential, though with lower liquidity and pronounced volatility.

When does NYSE American open?

Regular trading begins at 9:30 am local time (ET).

When does NYSE American close?

It closes at 4:00 pm local time (ET).

Extended Sessions of NYSE American

Pre-Market: From 7:00 am to 9:30 am, local time. Starts earlier than its counterparts.

After-Market: From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, local time.

Calendar of Closures: NYSE American 2025

As part of the NYSE group, holiday dates are identical:

NYSE American Hours by Location

Final Considerations for Traders

Knowing the exact trading hours of Wall Street, Nasdaq, and NYSE American is essential for planning investment strategies. The pre-market and after-market sessions offer additional opportunities but with lower volume and higher volatility. Always verify your local time zone before executing trades to avoid missing critical trading windows.