U.S. Holiday Schedule and Stock Market Trading Hours: The Complete Guide for Investors in 2026

If you are a Korean investor investing in the U.S. stock market, you need to know the U.S. holiday schedule and exact trading hours. Especially due to daylight saving time and the time difference with Korea, trading schedules can be complicated. If you don’t prepare in advance, you may miss trading opportunities or incur losses. This article summarizes the 2026 U.S. holiday schedule, main exchange operating hours, and international exchange information.

Understanding Major U.S. Stock Exchanges

The U.S. stock market consists of three major exchanges, each with its own characteristics.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was established on May 17, 1792, and is the world’s largest stock exchange. About 2,400 companies are listed, with a total market cap of approximately $23 trillion. Major blue-chip companies like Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Visa (V), and Walmart (WMT) are primarily listed.

NASDAQ Stock Market was founded on February 8, 1971, and quickly grew from over-the-counter markets to an official exchange. It ranks second in the world by market capitalization and is heavily focused on IT companies. Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), NVIDIA (NVDA), and other tech giants are listed here.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX) is the third-largest U.S. exchange after NYSE and NASDAQ, mainly listing mid-sized and small-cap companies.

2026 U.S. Market Holidays and Early Close Schedule

Knowing the holiday schedule in advance is essential for planning trades. The total U.S. market holidays in 2026 are as follows:

In addition, there are special early close days: the day before Independence Day (July 2), the day after Thanksgiving (November 27), and Christmas Eve (December 24). On these days, markets close early at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, which is 2:00 AM Korea time the next day.

Trading Hours and Comparison with Korea Time

The regular trading hours for NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX are the same. However, due to daylight saving time, Korea time shifts, so caution is needed.

Regular trading runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time, which is 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM Korea time. During daylight saving time (second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November), all times are shifted forward by 1 hour.

All trading is conducted in U.S. dollars (USD), with settlement completed two business days later. Note that U.S. markets do not have price limit rules like Korea’s upper/lower limits, so rapid declines can occur. Since trading happens overnight Korea time, quick responses to sudden drops are difficult, so plan accordingly.

Detailed Trading Regulations of Major U.S. Exchanges

Comparison of Opening and Closing Times of Major International Exchanges

For investors trading in Korea, Japan, UK, Hong Kong, China, etc., here is a summary of major international exchanges:

Note that the London exchange observes daylight saving time, and Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai have intraday breaks, so plan trades accordingly.

How to Plan Trading Considering U.S. Holidays

Ignoring U.S. holidays can lead to unexpected losses. To plan effectively, keep these points in mind:

• Monitor after-hours trading on the day before U.S. holidays (Korea morning 5–9 AM) for volatility.
• On Mondays, U.S. news and international events from the weekend may influence markets; gather information beforehand.
• On early close days, trading volume may decrease significantly; adjust your strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

Accurately understanding the U.S. market opening and closing times, as well as holiday schedules, is fundamental for successful investing. By familiarizing yourself with the 2026 holiday schedule, regular trading hours, and international exchange timings, you can avoid missing opportunities. Since exchange schedules and times can change, always check the latest information before trading.