Complete Guide: Operating Hours on Wall Street, Nasdaq, and NYSE American

Major Stock Markets in the US

Wall Street hosts three fundamental stock markets for global trading. The NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) establishes itself as the largest and most reputable in the world, home to the most influential corporations on the planet. Its history dates back over two centuries, when New York traders laid the foundations of what would become this colossal market.

The Nasdaq, whose initials stand for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation, ranks second in importance. This market is characterized by concentrating technology and biotech companies, although it also hosts assets like Marriott or American Airlines. Unlike the NYSE, Nasdaq does not include financial stocks in its portfolio.

The NYSE American (formerly known as AMEX) represents an opportunity for small-cap companies, those small caps with high potential for revaluation but also greater volatility and illiquidity.

Trading Hours on Wall Street

NYSE Standard Hours

The NYSE begins its regular trading at 9:30 am and ends at 4:00 pm, both in Eastern Time (ET).

Before the official opening, there is a pre-market period that starts at 4:00 am and extends until 9:30 am. After the regular close, traders can continue transacting in the after-market session, which runs from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

These hours are maintained from Monday to Friday, with the market closed on weekends.

Nasdaq Transactions

Nasdaq operates on an identical schedule to NYSE during the regular session: opening at 9:30 am and closing at 4:00 pm (local time ET).

Pre-trading begins at 4:00 am and ends at 9:30 am. The extended session after regular trading runs from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

NYSE American Trading Hours

This market opens at 9:30 am and closes at 4:00 pm (ET). The significant difference from its counterparts lies in the pre-market, which in this case starts later: at 7:00 am instead of 4:00 am, remaining until 9:30 am. The after-market operates from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Time Converter for Spanish Speakers

For operators in Spanish-speaking countries, the following table simplifies converting Wall Street hours to their local time zones:

Holiday Closing Calendar 2025

Both NYSE, Nasdaq, and NYSE American will be closed on the following US national holidays:

Note: Nasdaq does not observe Juneteenth as an official holiday, unlike NYSE and NYSE American, because this holiday was recently established by the federal government in 2021.

Practical Considerations for Global Traders

Understanding Wall Street hours is essential for any international investor. The pre-market and after-market periods offer additional opportunities outside the regular session, though with lower liquidity and wider spreads.

For operators in Latin America, most markets open during local morning hours, making it easier to actively participate in Wall Street’s opening without extreme early mornings. Planning strategies considering these hours optimizes execution possibilities and reduces commission costs.