How Many Trading Days Are in a Year?

Understanding the number of trading days in a year is a common question for individuals interested in financial markets. This figure provides fundamental context for market activity and can influence various financial calculations. While the exact count can fluctuate slightly, a general framework exists for determining when major stock exchanges are open for business.

Defining a Trading Day and the Typical Annual Count

A trading day on major U.S. stock exchanges refers to the period from Monday through Friday when markets are open for regular trading, typically from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time. These days exclude weekends and observed market holidays. The standard approximate number of trading days in a year for U.S. markets is around 250 to 252 days. In 2025, there are approximately 250 or 251 trading days.

The calculation for determining the number of trading days begins with the total days in a calendar year (365 or 366 in a leap year). From this total, 104 weekend days are subtracted. Further subtractions are made for observed market holidays (typically 10 to 11 days annually), which brings the total down to the commonly cited figure. The “252 trading days” figure is frequently used in financial analysis for annualized calculations, providing a consistent baseline for performance metrics and projections.

Factors Influencing the Number of Trading Days

U.S. stock exchanges observe a set of public holidays, resulting in market closures. These 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 holiday falls on a weekend, it is typically observed on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. While some days may feature half-day trading sessions, such as the day before Independence Day, the day after Thanksgiving, or Christmas Eve, these are still counted as full trading days, albeit with reduced hours.

Variations Across Global Markets

The number of trading days is not universal and differs across countries and their specific financial markets, as each nation’s stock exchange operates on its own calendar and observes unique national holidays. This means the approximate 250 to 252 trading days figure is primarily specific to U.S. markets.

For example, the Tokyo Stock Exchange typically has around 240 trading days per year, while the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has approximately 249 trading days annually. Some markets, particularly in the Middle East, even operate on different weekly schedules, with trading days from Sunday to Thursday, reflecting local customs and religious practices. Understanding these differences is important for investors and traders operating across various international financial centers.