## 2025-2026 US Stock Trading Hours Full Guide: Master When US Markets Open to Capture Every Trading Opportunity

### 1. When Do US Stocks Open? Quick Reference to Core Trading Sessions

Taiwanese investors' most concerned question is: **What time do US stocks start trading?** In simple terms, US markets open around **10:30 PM Taiwan time**, but the exact time varies due to daylight saving time and standard time.

Currently, the US has entered standard time (implemented from 2:00 AM on November 2, 2025). During this period, regular trading hours are from **22:30 to 5:00 the next day Taiwan time**.

US stock trading includes three sessions:

| Trading Session | US Eastern Time | Trading Characteristics |
|-------------------|-----------------|-------------------------|
| Pre-market | 4:00-9:30 | Lower liquidity, higher volatility |
| Regular | 9:30-16:00 | Sufficient liquidity, main trading hours |
| After-hours | 16:00-20:00 | Fewer participants, wider spreads |

### 2. Daylight Saving Time vs Standard Time: Time Difference Pitfalls for Taiwanese Investors

Many Taiwanese investors often confuse the opening times of US stocks mainly because **the US observes daylight saving and standard time, while Taiwan remains in the same time zone all year round**.

**During Standard Time (from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March):**
- Regular trading: US 9:30-16:00 = Taiwan 22:30-5:00
- Pre-market: US 4:00-9:30 = Taiwan 17:00-22:30
- After-hours: US 16:00-20:00 = Taiwan 5:00-9:00

**During Daylight Saving Time (from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November):**
- Regular trading: US 9:30-16:00 = Taiwan 21:30-4:00
- Pre-market: US 4:00-9:30 = Taiwan 16:30-21:30
- After-hours: US 16:00-20:00 = Taiwan 4:00-8:00

**Investor Tip:** When the time difference adjusts in March and November, be sure to reset your trading alarms to avoid missing important market moves due to time confusion.

### 3. The Three Major Exchanges and Their Unique Features: Understanding the US Market Structure

Unlike Taiwan's stock market concentrated at the Taiwan Stock Exchange, US stocks are traded across multiple independent exchanges. Although opening and closing times are generally synchronized, the types and characteristics of stocks traded on each exchange differ significantly.

**New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)**
As the world's largest stock exchange, it lists over 3,500 stocks, mainly large traditional companies. Although electronic, it still maintains an in-person trading mechanism for large institutional trades and price discovery.

**NASDAQ Stock Market**
The world's first fully electronic securities market, where investors trade directly via the internet. Many listed companies are tech giants (like Microsoft, Apple), with growth stocks clustered, resulting in higher volatility.

**NYSE American (formerly AMEX)**
The third-largest US trading market, mainly listing small- and mid-cap stocks. Unique in supporting stocks, futures, and derivatives trading simultaneously, offering investors diversified tools.

### 4. US Stock Market Holidays in 2025: Plan Your Trading Calendar in Advance

US markets close or have early closings on various statutory holidays and special commemorative days. Taiwanese investors should mark these dates on their calendars:

**2025 US Market Holidays:**
- January 1 (New Year’s Day)
- January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- February 17 (Washington’s Birthday)
- April 18 (Good Friday)
- May 26 (Memorial Day)
- June 19 (Juneteenth)
- July 4 (Independence Day)
- September 1 (Labor Day)
- November 27 (Thanksgiving)
- December 25 (Christmas)

**Early Close (3 hours before regular close):**
- July 3 (Day before Independence Day)
- November 28 (Day after Thanksgiving)
- December 24 (Christmas Eve)

### 5. Early Awareness of US Market Holidays in 2026

Planning next year's trading strategies? Keep this 2026 holiday calendar handy:

- 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)
- July 3 (Eve of Independence Day, as July 4 falls on Saturday)
- September 7 (Labor Day)
- November 26 (Thanksgiving)
- December 25 (Christmas)

**Early Close (3 hours before):**
- November 27 (Day after Thanksgiving)
- December 24 (Christmas Eve)

### 6. Basic Knowledge of US Trading Rules

Knowing when US stocks open is just the first step; mastering basic rules is essential for confident trading:

US stocks follow a T+3 settlement system, meaning funds or stocks are settled three business days after the trade. Common commission structures are around 1% for manual trades and 0.5%-1% for electronic trades. The minimum trading unit is 1 share, with a face value in USD.

Although the three major US exchanges operate independently, their opening and closing times are mostly synchronized, with minimal price differences.

### 7. Benchmarking Global Stock Markets: Expand Your Trading Horizons

Besides US stocks, investors in Taiwan can also pay attention to other major global markets:

| Exchange | Opening Time (local) | Corresponding Taiwan Time |
|------------|----------------------|---------------------------|
| Shanghai Stock Exchange | 9:30-11:30, 13:00-15:00 | Same |
| Tokyo Stock Exchange | 9:00-11:30, 12:30-15:00 | 1 hour earlier |
| London Stock Exchange | 8:00-16:30 | 8 hours later (evening) |
| Hong Kong HKEX | 9:15-16:00 | Same |
| Toronto Stock Exchange | 9:30-16:00 | 13.30 hours later (afternoon) |
| Deutsche Börse | 8:00-22:00 | 7 hours later (evening) |
| Australian Securities Exchange | 10:00-16:00 | 2 hours earlier (morning) |

Mastering when US stocks open, combined with daylight saving adjustments, holiday planning, and understanding exchange characteristics, enables Taiwanese investors to participate more efficiently in global markets.