2026 US Stock Market Holiday Guide | Trading Hours, Market Closure Schedule, and Taiwan Corresponding Time Slots

Essential Pre-Investment Knowledge｜When Will the US Stock Market Close in 2026?

Many Taiwanese investors often make the mistake of assuming US stock trading follows the same logic as the Taiwanese stock market, unaware that the US market has complex and variable holiday closing rules. Throughout 2026, the US stock market will be closed or close early on certain days due to major US holidays, during which no trading can take place.

The 2026 US stock market holidays include: New Year’s Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19), Washington’s Birthday (February 16), Good Friday (April 3), Memorial Day (May 25), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (September 7), Thanksgiving (November 26), and Christmas (December 25).

It is worth noting that some holidays do not result in a full market close but instead close three hours early. For example, the day after Thanksgiving (November 27) and the day before Christmas (December 24), US stocks will close at 3:00 PM instead of the regular 4:00 PM. Additionally, if July 4 falls on a weekend, the market will close early on the preceding Friday.

Trading US Stocks for Taiwanese Investors｜Key to Time Zone Conversion

The US stock trading hours are divided into three phases: pre-market trading, regular trading, and after-hours trading. Due to the US observing daylight saving time (DST) twice a year while Taiwan remains on standard time year-round, Taiwanese investors need to adjust their trading times accordingly.

Standard Time Period (November to March): US Eastern Time opens at 9:30 AM, corresponding to 10:30 PM Taiwan time; regular trading runs until 4:00 PM ET, which is 5:00 AM the next day in Taiwan. During this period, pre-market trading occurs from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM ET (5:00 PM to 10:30 PM Taiwan), and after-hours trading from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET (5:00 AM to 9:00 AM Taiwan).

Daylight Saving Time Period (March to November): US Eastern Time opens at 9:30 AM, corresponding to 9:30 PM Taiwan time; regular trading ends at 4:00 PM ET, which is 4:00 AM the next day in Taiwan. Pre-market trading occurs from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM ET (4:00 PM to 9:30 PM Taiwan), and after-hours trading from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET (4:00 AM to 8:00 AM Taiwan).

Introduction to US Stock Exchanges｜The Three Major Players and Their Strengths

US stocks are not traded on a single exchange but are dispersed across three major stock exchanges, each operating independently. While their opening and closing times are synchronized, their traded securities and market characteristics differ.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the world’s largest stock exchange by total market capitalization of listed companies, with over 3,500 securities listed. It has transitioned to electronic trading but still plays an important role in large institutional trades, used for price setting and handling high-volume transactions.

NASDAQ Stock Market is the world’s first fully electronic stock exchange. Investors trade directly via phone or online, without physical trading floors. Many high-tech companies are listed here, including Microsoft, Apple, and other industry leaders.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX), now renamed NYSE American after being acquired by NYSE in 2008, is the third-largest US trading market. Its business model is similar to NYSE, but it mainly lists small- and mid-cap stocks. It is unique in that it allows trading of stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously.

Quick Reference: Basic Trading Rules for US Stocks

US stock trading is denominated in US dollars, with a minimum trading unit of 1 share. Trading hours are Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays. While pre-market and after-hours trading provide additional opportunities, liquidity during these periods is lower than during regular hours, so investors should exercise caution.

Settlement for sales is T+3 (trade date plus three days). Regarding fees, manual orders are charged at 1% of the transaction amount, while electronic orders range from 0.5% to 1%.

Global Stock Market Opening Times｜A Reference for Taiwanese Investors

In addition to US stocks, the trading hours of other major global stock markets are also worth noting. China’s stock exchanges have morning sessions from 9:30 to 11:30 local time and afternoon sessions from 13:00 to 15:00. Japan’s Tokyo Stock Exchange trades from 9:00 to 11:30 in the morning and 12:30 to 15:00 in the afternoon, corresponding to 8:00 to 10:30 and 11:30 to 14:00 Taiwan time, respectively.

The UK London Stock Exchange operates from 8:00 to 16:30 local time, which is 16:00 to 0:30 the next day in Taiwan. Hong Kong’s HKEX trades all day from 9:15 to 16:00 local time, with no time difference with Taiwan. Canada’s Toronto Stock Exchange operates from 9:30 to 16:00 local time, corresponding to 22:30 to 5:00 Taiwan time. Germany’s Deutsche Börse has the widest trading hours, from 8:00 to 22:00 local time, which is 15:00 to 5:00 the next day in Taiwan. Australia’s ASX trades from 10:00 to 16:00 local time, corresponding to 8:00 to 14:00 Taiwan time.

By understanding these times, Taiwanese investors can effectively plan their global investment portfolios and avoid missing trading opportunities or suffering losses due to unfamiliar holiday schedules.