2026 US Stock Market Trading Hours Complete Guide: Essential Opening, Closing, and Holiday Schedule for Taiwanese Investors

2026-01-04 09:37:12

The US stock market is both unfamiliar and familiar to Taiwanese investors. The unfamiliarity lies in time differences and trading rules, while the familiarity comes from many people wanting to enter the market. But if you still don’t understand what time the US stock market opens in Taiwan, or don’t know when it closes, this comprehensive guide will help you resolve all your confusions.

Now understand: The actual local time in Taiwan corresponding to US stock market opening hours

First, you need to know that the US observes daylight saving time and standard time, while Taiwan uses the same time year-round. Therefore, Taiwanese investors need to pay close attention to US time adjustments.

Standard Time Period (First Sunday in November to Second Sunday in March):

Regular trading hours for US stocks are 9:30–16:00 Eastern Time, which corresponds to 22:30–Next day 5:00 in Taiwan local time
Pre-market trading (Eastern 4:00–9:30) corresponds to 17:00–22:30 in Taiwan
After-hours trading (Eastern 16:00–20:00) corresponds to 5:00–9:00 in Taiwan

Daylight Saving Time Period (Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November):

Regular trading hours in Taiwan time are 21:30–Next day 4:00
Pre-market session is 16:30–21:30 Taiwan time
After-hours session is 4:00–8:00 Taiwan time

This means during standard time, you need to start tracking US market opening at 10:30 PM; during daylight saving time, it shifts earlier to 9:30 PM.

Complete trading rules for US stock market opening hours

The US does not have just one stock exchange. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and American Stock Exchange (AMEX) are the three major trading markets. Although they operate independently, in most cases, their opening times are synchronized.

Trading rules for US stock market hours include:

Regular Trading Session: Monday to Friday, 9:30–16:00 (Eastern Time), which is the main trading period and the time most investors participate.

Pre-market Trading: Monday to Friday, 4:00–9:30, suitable for trading before official opening, but with relatively lower liquidity.

After-hours Trading: Monday to Friday, 16:00–20:00, offering trading opportunities after close, also with limited liquidity.

Trades are denominated in USD, with a minimum of 1 share per transaction, settlement cycle T+3 (trade date plus three trading days). Manual orders incur about 1% fee, electronic trading fees range from 0.5% to 1%.

Important dates for US stock market holidays in 2026: Pay special attention

Besides knowing the opening hours, Taiwanese investors must also be aware of when the US markets are closed. In 2026, key holiday closures include:

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 National Independence Day
July 3: Independence Day (since July 4 falls on Saturday, markets close early on July 3)
July 4: Independence Day
September 7: Labor Day
November 26: Thanksgiving Day
November 27: Day after Thanksgiving (closes 3 hours early at 16:00)
December 24: Christmas Eve (closes 3 hours early)
December 25: Christmas Day

Note that the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve do not mean full market closure but early close at 3 hours earlier. Do not overlook these time differences.

Overview of the three major exchanges: Understanding the trading markets behind US stock market hours

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

Based on the total market capitalization of listed securities, NYSE is the largest stock exchange in the world, with over 3,500 listed stocks. It combines electronic trading with on-floor trading, which still plays an important role in price setting and large institutional trades.

NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ)

NASDAQ is the world’s first all-electronic stock exchange, operating virtually. Investors trade directly via phone or internet, often resulting in higher liquidity. Many tech giants like Microsoft and Apple are listed here.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX)

AMEX is the third-largest US trading market, similar in operation to NYSE. It mainly lists small- and mid-cap stocks and is the only exchange that can trade stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously. After being acquired by NYSE in 2008, it was renamed NYSE American.

Other major global stock market opening times for reference

Besides US market hours, Taiwanese investors looking to diversify globally should understand the trading hours of other major markets:

China Securities Exchange: 9:30–11:30, 13:00–15:00 (same as Taiwan time)

Tokyo Stock Exchange (Japan): 9:00–11:30, 12:30–15:00 (Taiwan time 8:00–10:30, 11:30–14:00)

London Stock Exchange (UK): 8:00–16:30 (Taiwan time 16:00–Next day 00:30)

Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 9:15–16:00 (same as Taiwan)

Toronto Stock Exchange: 9:30–16:00 (Taiwan time 22:30–Next day 05:00)

Deutsche Börse (Germany): 8:00–22:00 (Taiwan time 15:00–Next day 05:00)

Australian Securities Exchange: 10:00–16:00 (Taiwan time 8:00–14:00)

Mastering US stock market hours and understanding the operation logic of major exchanges is the first step for Taiwanese investors entering the US market. Next time you consider trading during US market hours, remember to confirm whether it’s standard or daylight saving time, then convert to Taiwan local time to avoid missing any investment opportunities.

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