Grasp the US stock market opening hours — a complete analysis of the global trading rhythm in 2025

Key Highlights - The United States entered Daylight Saving Time on March 9, 2025. The regular trading hours are now from 21:30 to 4:00 Beijing time the next day. The NYSE is planning to extend NYSE Arca electronic trading hours, aiming to extend weekday trading to 22 hours; the relevant plan is pending final approval from regulatory authorities.

Overview of the Three Major US Stock Markets Trading Mechanisms

The US securities market consists of multiple independent trading platforms, including the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange. Due to independent management, opening and closing times and price fluctuations may have subtle differences, but generally, the main trading hours are highly synchronized.

Below are the schedules for the three main US stock markets (all in Eastern Time):

US Stock Trading System

Basic Trading Parameters

• Main Exchanges: New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, American Stock Exchange
• Quotation Unit: USD
• Minimum Trading Volume: 1 share
• Settlement Cycle: T+3 (delivery on the third business day after trade)
• Fee Structure: Manual trading approximately 1%, electronic trading 0.5%-1%

Time Difference Table for Beijing Investors

The US implements seasonal time adjustments, while Asia maintains a fixed time, so Asian investors should closely monitor US time changes and adjust their trading schedules accordingly. Daylight Saving Time in the US begins on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM and ends on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM, during which clocks are moved forward by 1 hour; Standard Time begins on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM and ends on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM, during which clocks are set back by 1 hour. Specific implementations may vary by state.

The following table shows the corresponding Beijing times for US stock trading hours:

2025 US Stock Market Holidays Schedule

The US stock exchanges observe closures or early closings on national holidays and major festivals. Investors should be aware of these dates in advance to avoid trading disruptions caused by holidays.

Analysis of the Three Major US Stock Exchanges

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) — The World’s Largest Stock Market

On May 17, 1792, under the Buttonwood Tree at 68 Wall Street, 24 brokers and merchants signed the founding agreement, marking the birth of modern securities trading. After more than 230 years of development, NYSE has become the largest stock trading platform globally by total market capitalization of listed securities. Its trading system combines electronic processing with on-floor trading: electronic systems handle routine trades, while floor traders focus on large block trades and complex orders from institutional investors.

NASDAQ — The World’s Second Largest Electronic Market

As the second-largest securities exchange globally, NASDAQ’s most distinctive feature is its fully electronic operation — it was the first securities market to achieve electronic trading. Investors can trade directly via phone or internet without relying on traditional trading floors. This innovation has attracted many tech innovation companies, including Microsoft, Apple, and other top global high-tech firms, forming a market characterized by a concentration of technology stocks.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX) — The Market for Small and Mid-cap Stocks

As the third major US stock exchange, AMEX ranks behind NYSE and NASDAQ. Its trading mechanism is similar to NYSE but focuses on trading small- and mid-cap stocks. Its unique advantage is that it is the only exchange that simultaneously offers trading in stocks, futures, and derivatives.

Global Major Stock Markets Time Comparison

Besides US stocks, other major global stock markets are also noteworthy. The following table compares the operating hours of major exchanges worldwide: