Here is when the biggest global stock markets are open for business A stock exchange is, by definition, a marketplace where equities may be purchased and sold at specific times of the day. It serves as an institution that assures orderly trading and effective price quotation distribution for the firms who list on the exchange.
Monday through Friday are the most common days for trading. The Saudi Stock Exchange, which is open from Sunday through Thursday, is an exception to the rule. A few exchanges are closed for a lunch break. This is most typically observed in Asian markets. Every day at noon, the London Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange take a two-minute break.
Access to any of the worldwide markets and exchanges requires an account with a brokerage firm, whether online or offline.
IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
- Most stock markets across the world are open during regular business hours, in local time.
- Unless otherwise specified, trades submitted with an online brokerage between exchange hours are performed at the open.
- For the convenience of traders, North American exchanges closely track New York time.
- Every exchange publishes an annual calendar that includes all of its planned holidays and half-days.
Through a broker, American investors may buy and sell equities listed on most overseas markets. Investors in overseas equities can also trade American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which are traded on US platforms and in US dollars.
In 1611, Amsterdam founded the world’s first public stock exchange. Initially, it solely provided shares in the Dutch East Indies Co.
Holiday Trading Hours
Holidays are determined by the local calendar, therefore they differ from one region to the next. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day. The Singapore Stock Exchange will be closed for the Chinese New Year in early February.
Some exchanges close for a half-day period every now and then. On Christmas Eve, for example, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is only open until 1 p.m. The exchanges publish their yearly calendars months ahead of time.
The Major Stock Exchanges in the World, Organized by Continent
The following are some of the world’s largest stock exchanges by market capitalization, organized by continent.
North American Exchange Trading Hours
No matter where the exchange is situated, trading in North America is typically based on the Eastern time zone. The Mexico Stock Exchange is an outlier, since it displays its hours in Central Time but adjusts them to match those of the NYSE.
The trading exchanges’ headquarters are in New York City, Toronto, and Mexico City. Mexico City has the westernmost time zone, with the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) operating during Central Standard Time business hours (CST). Despite the fact that the BMV trades on CST, the hours mimic those of the NYSE, therefore trade is open throughout the same time period.
(Market cap in trillions)
| Name | Marketplace | Market Cap | Ranking | Time Zone | Trading Hours | Lunch Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | New York, United States | $27.69 | 1 | EDT | 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | No |
| Nasdaq Stock Market | New York, United States | $22.46 | 2 | EDT | 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | No |
| Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) | Toronto, Canada | $3.23 | 10 | EDT | 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | No |
Asia and the Middle East Trading Hours
Asia and its neighbors have 11 time zones, but thankfully, they coordinate their exchange hours for the benefit of commerce and liquidity.
Some Asian stock exchanges, like the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO), take a lunch break.
The Shanghai Stock Exchange observes 18 market holidays every year, including a five-day break for Chinese New Year.
(Market cap in trillions)
| Name | Marketplace | Market Cap | Ranking | Time Zone | Trading Hours | Lunch Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) | Shanghai, China | $7.57 | 3 | CST | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Tokyo Stock Exchange | Tokyo, Japan | $6.2 | 4 | JST | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) | Shenzhen, China | $5.62 | 5 | CST | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:57 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK) | Hong Kong | $5.4 | 6 | HKT | 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) | Mumbai, India | $3.52 | 8 | IST | 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | No |
| Saudi Stock Exchange | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | $2.83 | 11 | AST | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | No |
| BSE Limited | Mumbai, India | $2.22 | 12 | IST | 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | No |
| Korea Exchange (KRX) | Seoul, South Korea | $2.05 | 14 | KST | 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | No |
| Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) | Taipei, Taiwan | $1.97 | 15 | CST | 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | No |
Trading Hours in the United Kingdom and Europe
(Market cap in trillions)
| Name | Marketplace | Market Cap | Ranking | Time Zone | Trading Hours | Lunch Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Stock Exchange | London, United Kingdom | $3.57 | 7 | BST | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:02 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | 12:00 p.m. to 12:02 p.m. |
| Frankfurt Stock Exchange | Frankfurt, Germany | $3.29 | 9 | CEST | 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | No |
| SIX Swiss Exchange | Zurich, Switzerland | $2.16 | 13 | CEST | 9:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | No |
| Euronext Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | $0.73 | 19 | CEST | 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | No |
| Nasdaq Stockholm AB | Stockholm, Sweden | $0.01 | 20 | CEST | 9:00 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | No |
South American Trading Hours
So Paulo, Brazil, has the largest exchange in South America. Because the exchange trades two hours ahead of the NYSE, most of the movement mirrors that of the latter.
The So Paulo exchange trades stocks, commodities, and options.
(Market cap in trillions)
| Name | Marketplace | Market Cap | Ranking | Time Zone | Trading Hours | Lunch Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B3 S.A. | São Paulo, Brazil | $0.82 | 18 | BRT | 10:00 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | No |
African Trading Hours
Johannesburg, South Africa, is home to Africa’s largest stock exchange. Smaller exchanges exist in Egypt, Nigeria, and Mauritius.
Because the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) purchased the South African Futures Exchange and the South African Bond Exchange, all of those assets are now traded on the JSE.
The Johannesburg exchange operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. South African Standard Time (SAST), with no lunch break. As a result, the exchange opens 6.5 hours before the NYSE.
(Market cap in trillions)
| Name | Marketplace | Market Cap | Ranking | Time Zone | Trading Hours | Lunch Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) | Johannesburg, South Africa | $1.36 | 17 | SAST | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | No |
Australia/Oceania Trading Hours
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney is nearly the same size as the South African exchange. In 2006, the ASE amalgamated with the Sydney Futures Exchange. The ASE also trades bonds and derivatives.
The market begins at 10 a.m. local time, which is later than most, and there is no lunch break.
(Market cap in trillions)
| Name | Marketplace | Market Cap | Ranking | Time Zone | Trading Hours | Lunch Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) | Sydney, Australia | $1.8 | 16 | AEDT | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | No |
What’s the Distinction Between a Stock Exchange and a Stock Market?
A stock exchange is a marketplace or infrastructure that allows for the trading of stocks. A commercial or governmental entity establishes and manages the exchange. It enables businesses to offer their stocks on its marketplace.
The phrase stock market refers to all stocks in general, or to a set of equities in a certain location, industry, or sector.
Which of the major stock exchanges are closed for lunch?
Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO), Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong are the major stock exchanges having an official lunch close (SEHK).
At noon, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) take a two-minute break. Their dealers do not consume food at such a rapid pace. The mini-break is intended to safeguard institutional traders against high-frequency traders, whose split-second transactions have the potential to influence prices.
When Do the NYSE and Nasdaq Open?
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are typically open from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Both issue annual calendars listing their holidays and half-days. The NYSE will have nine complete holidays and four early-closing days in 2022. The Nasdaq has the same holidays as the NYSE but appears to have fewer half-days.
