What Time Does the Stock Market Open and Close in California?

Understanding the operational hours of the stock market is important for investors and traders. Knowing precisely when markets open and close allows for timely execution of trades and helps in strategizing based on market activity. This insight provides clarity on when major price movements or news reactions are most likely to occur.

Regular Trading Hours

The primary U.S. stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on weekdays. This period constitutes the core for daily stock trading activity. During these hours, the majority of trading volume and liquidity are observed across the market.

These standard hours define the official trading day. The opening and closing bells signify the start and end of this regular session.

California Time Conversion

For individuals in California, understanding the stock market’s hours requires a time zone conversion from Eastern Time to Pacific Time (PT). California observes Pacific Time, which is three hours behind Eastern Time. This means that when the market opens at 9:30 a.m. ET, it is 6:30 a.m. PT in California.

Similarly, when the market closes at 4:00 p.m. ET, it is 1:00 p.m. PT in California. This three-hour difference remains consistent throughout the year, regardless of whether daylight saving time is in effect in either region.

Extended Trading Sessions

Beyond the regular 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET timeframe, the stock market facilitates trading during extended sessions. These periods are categorized into “pre-market” and “after-hours” trading. Pre-market sessions occur from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET, allowing trading before the official market open.

After-hours trading takes place after regular closing, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. These extended sessions enable investors to react to news or earnings reports released outside of regular hours. Trading during these times involves lower liquidity and increased volatility compared to the standard trading day.

Trades in extended sessions are primarily executed through electronic communication networks (ECNs), which directly match buy and sell orders. While offering flexibility, reduced trading volume can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and less favorable execution prices.

Market Holidays and Early Closures

The U.S. stock markets, including the NYSE and NASDAQ, observe holidays throughout the year when they are closed for trading. These market holidays align with federal holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the market closure may be observed on the preceding Friday or the following Monday.

• 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
• Christmas Day

In addition to full-day closures, there are instances of early market closures, where trading concludes at 1:00 p.m. ET instead of the usual 4:00 p.m. ET. These abbreviated trading days often occur on the day before or after certain holidays, such as the day before Independence Day, the day after Thanksgiving, or Christmas Eve. Being aware of these scheduled closures and early finishes is important for planning trading activities and managing portfolio adjustments.