2025 US Stock Market Trading Guide: Opening and Closing Times in Korea Standard Time and Annual Holidays

Things Every U.S. Stock Investor Must Know

If you are investing in U.S. stocks, accurate trading hours and holiday information are not optional—they are essential. Due to time differences with Korea, daylight saving time, and the absence of price limit bands, you must familiarize yourself with this information before planning your trades. This guide summarizes trading hours for major exchanges like NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX, U.S. market holidays in 2025, and operating hours of major global stock exchanges at a glance.

Comparison of the Features of the Big 3 U.S. Stock Exchanges

NYSE(New York Stock Exchange): The world’s largest stock exchange

Founded in 1792, the NYSE is the leading U.S. stock exchange and boasts the largest market capitalization globally. About 2,400 companies are listed, with a total market cap of approximately $23 trillion. It is primarily where large blue-chip stocks like Berkshire Hathaway(BRK.A), Johnson & Johnson(JNJ), Visa(V), and Walmart(WMT) are traded.

NASDAQ(NASDAQ Stock Market): Innovation-focused tech exchange

Established in 1971, NASDAQ started as an over-the-counter market but quickly grew to become the second-largest stock exchange in the world. It is heavily concentrated with technology companies, including global leaders like Apple(AAPL), Microsoft(MSFT), and NVIDIA(NVDA).

AMEX(American Stock Exchange): Platform for mid-sized and small companies

Compared to NYSE and NASDAQ, AMEX trades smaller and mid-sized companies, mainly listing mid-cap and small-cap firms. While each exchange has its own characteristics, trading hours and regulations are applied uniformly across all three.

U.S. Stock Market Trading Hours: Detailed Guide in Korea Time

Regular Trading Hours and Intraday Trading

All three exchanges operate during the same regular trading hours. Based on Eastern Time, they are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, which corresponds to 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM Korea Time. During daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, Korea time shifts forward by 1 hour, making trading hours from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM.

Pre-market and After-hours Sessions

In addition to regular hours, U.S. markets offer extended trading sessions.

Pre-market trading: From 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM Eastern Time, which is 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM Korea Time. Trading volume is lower and volatility can be higher, so caution is advised.

After-hours trading: From 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time, which is 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM Korea Time the next day. Trading activity tends to be active immediately after major economic news or earnings reports.

Trading Regulations and Key Features

*During daylight saving time

The most important feature of the U.S. stock market is that there are no price limit bands. Unlike Korean exchanges, there are no daily maximum fluctuation limits, so sudden news or market shocks can cause rapid price swings. Trading is conducted in U.S. dollars, and settlement occurs two business days after the trade date.

Complete Information on U.S. Market Holidays in 2025

The U.S. stock market has 12 full holidays annually. All holidays in 2025 are summarized in the table below.

( Early Close Schedule

While not full holidays, the market closes early on certain days. The following are the early close dates in 2025.

Investors should check these holidays and early close schedules in advance to plan their trading, especially noting that trading opportunities may be limited on early close days.

Comparison of Trading Hours of Major Global Stock Exchanges

To accommodate investors trading in Korea, Japan, the UK, China, and other markets, the trading hours of major stock exchanges are summarized below.

*London Stock Exchange operates with daylight saving time, so hours may vary accordingly.

Final Checklist for Successful U.S. Stock Investment

Before investing in the U.S. stock market, double-check the following:

• Understand trading hours: Distinguish clearly between regular hours, pre-market, and after-hours.
• Convert to Korea time: Be aware of time changes due to daylight saving time.
• Check holidays: Confirm market holidays and early close days in advance.
• Manage volatility: Since there are no price limit bands, develop risk management strategies.
• Understand settlement period: Plan your funds considering T+2 settlement.
• Stay updated: Market holidays and trading hours can change; regularly verify the latest information.

Knowing the exact trading hours and holidays is the first step toward successful investing. Use this guide as a reference to plan and execute your trades efficiently.