How Many Days in a Year Is the Stock Market Open?
Uncover the precise number of days the stock market is open annually. Understand the factors shaping its trading calendar and daily hours.
The stock market, represented by major U.S. exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, operates on a specific schedule that differs significantly from the 365 days in a calendar year. This operational schedule is determined by excluding weekends and observing a set list of holidays, resulting in an average of around 250 to 252 trading days annually.
Determining Stock Market Trading Days
The calculation for the number of stock market trading days in a year begins with the total number of days, typically 365 or 366 in a leap year. Weekends are excluded, removing 104 days from the calendar and leaving approximately 261 potential weekdays for trading. Beyond weekends, observed market holidays further reduce the number of trading days.
The precise number of trading days can vary slightly year to year based on how these holidays fall within the calendar. On average, the NYSE and Nasdaq are open for about 251 to 252 trading days each year. For example, 2025 is projected to have around 250 trading days.
Observed Stock Market Holidays
U.S. stock markets, including the NYSE and Nasdaq, observe several holidays throughout the year, during which they remain closed. These typically include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a market holiday falls on a Saturday, it is usually observed on the preceding Friday. Conversely, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed on the following Monday.
In addition to full-day closures, the stock market sometimes has early closures, often at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. These shortened trading sessions commonly occur on the day before Independence Day (July 3rd), the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. These specific closures and early closings are planned and announced by the exchanges.
Daily Trading Hours
On a standard trading day, major U.S. stock exchanges, such as the NYSE and Nasdaq, operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). This seven-and-a-half-hour window constitutes the regular trading session. During these hours, the primary volume and liquidity for stock trading are observed.
Beyond these regular hours, opportunities exist for pre-market and after-hours trading. Pre-market trading typically occurs from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET, while after-hours trading generally runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. These extended sessions allow investors to react to news released outside of regular market hours. However, trading during these periods often involves lower liquidity and potentially higher volatility compared to the regular trading session.