Complete Guide to 2026 U.S. Stock Market Opening Hours — Understanding New York and NASDAQ Trading Sessions

For investors in Taiwan, understanding the US stock market opening hours is the first step in cross-market trading. The US stock market operates on Eastern Time, which has a significant time difference from Taiwan local time. Additionally, the US observes daylight saving time, so investors need to pay special attention to trading session conversions. This article will provide a detailed overview of the 2026 US stock opening and closing rules, time conversion methods, and annual market holidays.

Understanding the Three Major US Stock Exchanges and Their Opening Hours

The biggest difference between US stocks and Taiwan stocks is that Taiwan stocks are traded only on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, while US stocks are traded across three major exchanges independently. Although their opening and closing times are synchronized, the listed companies and trading characteristics on each platform vary greatly.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalization, listing over 3,500 stocks. Unlike Nasdaq’s electronic trading, NYSE still maintains an on-floor trading system, which is especially suitable for large institutional trades and price discovery. Currently, trading is mainly electronic, but floor traders still play an important role in pricing and liquidity.

Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ) is the world’s first all-electronic stock exchange, where investors interact directly with trading systems via phone or internet. Nasdaq is home to many high-tech giants like Microsoft and Apple. Compared to traditional exchanges, Nasdaq emphasizes trading efficiency and price transparency.

NYSE American (formerly AMEX) is the third-largest US trading market. It mainly trades small- and mid-cap stocks and is the only platform in the US that can trade stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously. After being acquired by NYSE in 2008, it was renamed NYSE American, but its trading independence remains.

The regular trading hours for these three exchanges are identical: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Additionally, pre-market and after-hours trading sessions are available for traders outside regular hours.

The Three Trading Sessions of US Stock Market and Their Details

The full trading day in US stocks is divided into three sessions, each with clear start and end times.

Pre-market trading begins at 4:00 AM ET and ends at 9:30 AM ET. During this period, institutional investors and experienced retail traders can trade early, often reacting to overnight news or international market fluctuations. Liquidity is lower than during regular hours, and bid-ask spreads tend to be wider.

Regular trading hours are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET, the most active period with the highest liquidity and most efficient price discovery. Most news releases, earnings reports, and central bank decisions occur during this time.

After-hours trading runs from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET. Many companies release quarterly earnings after market hours, causing significant price volatility. Liquidity is also lower, but it’s crucial for investors needing quick reactions to earnings reports.

Transaction fees are generally around 1% for manual orders and 0.5% to 1% for electronic trades. Trades are denominated in USD, with a minimum of 1 share, settled on a T+3 basis (trade date plus three business days).

Impact of Daylight Saving Time on Taiwan Trading Hours

The US observes daylight saving time, but Taiwan does not adjust clocks, leading to variations in US stock market opening times relative to Taiwan time throughout the year. Investors must pay close attention.

Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM ET, when clocks move forward 1 hour; it ends on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM ET, when clocks move back 1 hour. While some states may have exceptions, New York State (the financial hub) follows these standards.

During Standard Time (November to March):

• Pre-market: 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM Taiwan time
• Regular hours: 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM next day Taiwan time
• After-hours: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM Taiwan time

As of November 2, 2025, we are in standard time, so US market hours correspond to Taiwan time from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM.

During Daylight Saving Time (March to November):

• Pre-market: 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM Taiwan time
• Regular hours: 9:30 PM to 4:00 AM next day Taiwan time
• After-hours: 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM Taiwan time

For Taiwanese investors, standard time means later trading start times, while daylight saving time shifts trading earlier. The regular trading session spans Taiwan evening to early morning, requiring adjustments or use of order tools.

When Does the US Market Close in 2026? Key Holiday Schedule

The US stock market closes on federal holidays, during which no trading occurs. Knowing these dates helps investors avoid unexpected risks.

The full list of 2026 market holidays is as follows:

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• February 16: Washington’s Birthday
• April 3: Good Friday
• May 25: Memorial Day
• June 19: Juneteenth (new federal holiday)
• July 3: Independence Day (observed, since July 4 falls on Saturday)
• July 4: Independence Day (observed on July 3)
• September 7: Labor Day
• November 26: Thanksgiving Day
• November 27: Day after Thanksgiving (early close at 1:00 PM ET)
• December 24: Christmas Eve (early close at 1:00 PM ET)
• December 25: Christmas Day

On holidays with early close, trading ends at 1:00 PM ET. Investors should factor these dates into their planning to avoid holding risks during market closures or early closings.

Practical Tips for Taiwanese Investors to Optimize US Stock Trading

After understanding the trading hours, Taiwanese investors can adopt strategies to improve trading efficiency. Using limit orders, stop-loss orders, and other order types allows automatic execution outside active hours, reducing the need to stay up late. Monitoring US economic data releases and earnings reports—often late at night or early morning Taiwan time—helps in proactive positioning.

Pay attention to pre-market and after-hours price movements, as significant news often reflects in these sessions, affecting next-day opening gaps. Regularly verify whether the US has made any changes to daylight saving time or holiday schedules, and stay updated on any additional market closures to ensure smooth trading plans.