Stock market trading hours

There is a large number of stock exchanges throughout the world, most of which operate throughout the weekdays, although the timetable of trading hours varies greatly depending on each country or region. This article provides an overview of stock market trading hours for major exchanges across the globe and may help you when getting into stock market trading.

Australia stock market hours

Below is a list of major worldwide stock exchanges and their opening times in both local and AEST trading times. The majority of these stock exchanges have a market capitalization of over a trillion US dollars and belong to the exclusive ‘$1 Trillion Club’. Together, they make up over 87% of the overall global market capitalization.

What are stock exchange hours?

Stock exchanges across the world open at different hours for stock trading. For example, UK stock market hours will not reflect those in Hong Kong or Japan, due to the general difference in work politics and culture. Some stock exchanges also close for a lunch break, mainly those in Asia, whereas they do not in Europe and the Americas.

Stock market hours also vary compared to other financial markets. For example, forex market hours are generally 24 hours a day, from Sunday evening to Friday night. The three major trading sessions include locations in Tokyo (for Asia), London (for Europe) and New York (for North America). The overlap of these trading hours mean that clients are able to open and close positions at most hours within the forex market.

Are stock markets closed on weekends?

Most stock exchanges around the world do not open for trading on the weekend and instead operate a consistent weekday trading routine. However, stock market trading hours can differ depending on the culture and religious practice of a region. For example, various Middle Eastern stock exchanges are open on either Saturdays, Sundays or both.

A notable stock exchange, Tadawul (Saudi Stock Exchange), opens its trading hours from Sunday to Thursday, as the population consider Friday and Saturday to be weekend days for rest. Both the Doha Securities Market in Qatar and Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange in Israel follow the same schedule, even if Tel-Aviv have changed their opening and closing times slightly to reflect European trading hours.

While most stock markets are closed for the weekend, it is still possible to trade other assets with CMC Markets on a fixed timetable.

World stock exchange holidays

Stock market holidays may differ depending on each region, country and individual stock exchange. For example, stock market opening times over Christmas will only apply to regions in which the festivity is celebrated, most notably Europe, North America and Australia. In the same way, select public holidays such as Canada Day, Chinese New Year, Australia Day and Thanksgiving in the US will affect trading hours for all affected countries. Islamic New Year is a festivity celebrated across many Middle Eastern countries and will most likely affect the stock market trading hours for Israel, Kuwait and the UAE, among others.