Buying US stocks in Taiwan requires understanding this time logic | Complete guide to the US stock market opening times on Saturdays and Sundays in 2026

Taiwanese Investors Must Know: What Time Does the US Stock Market Open in Taipei?

If you’re planning to enter the US stock market from Taiwan, the first thing to clarify is the time difference. Don’t underestimate this detail; mixing up the timing could cause you to miss trading opportunities.

Currently, the US stock market has entered the winter daylight saving time period. In simple terms, the regular trading hours converted to Taiwan time are from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM the next day. If you’re a night owl trader, this period is quite friendly; but if you prefer daytime trading, you might need to adjust your schedule.

In addition to regular trading hours, the US stock market also has pre-market and after-hours trading sessions. Pre-market trading starts at 4:00 AM Eastern Time (1:30 PM Taiwan time), and after-hours trading extends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time (10:00 AM Taiwan time the next day). These sessions have lower trading volume, less liquidity, and higher risks.

Switching Between Standard and Daylight Saving Time, Investors Need to Adjust

Here’s an easy pitfall: the US switches between daylight saving time and standard time, but Taiwan does not. This means the time difference changes twice a year.

At 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March, US clocks move forward by 1 hour into daylight saving time, making Taiwan’s US stock market open earlier at 9:30 PM. Then, at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday of November, US clocks fall back 1 hour to standard time, and Taiwan’s opening time shifts back to 10:30 PM.

Too lazy to do the conversion yourself? A quick tip is: daylight saving time is 1 hour ahead of standard time. If you set alarms on your phone for market open, don’t forget to update the time when the time change occurs.

Quick Guide to US Stock Trading Rules

The US has three major exchanges: NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX, and their trading hours are mostly synchronized, following these rules:

Monday to Friday

• Pre-market: 4:00 AM – 9:30 AM (Eastern Time)
• Regular hours: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Eastern Time)
• After-hours: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Order units are 1 share, and trading currency is USD. Fees are approximately 1% for manual orders and 0.5%–1% for electronic trading. Settlement cycle is T+3, meaning funds from a sale today will settle on the third trading day.

When Will the US Stock Market Close in 2026? Investors Must Mark It

The US observes several public holidays when the stock market is closed or closes early. Missing these dates could lead to trading disruptions or risks.

Full list of market holidays:

Pay special attention: some dates only have early close, not full closure. Missing these details could result in order failures or significant overnight gap risks.

Understanding the Three Major US Stock Exchanges, Choose the Right Platform to Trade

Unlike Taiwan’s stock market, which is centralized on a single exchange, US stocks are traded across three major exchanges. Knowing their characteristics helps you choose suitable trading options.

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) The world’s largest stock exchange by market cap. Over 3,500 listed stocks, mainly large-cap blue chips. Although electronic, floor trading still plays a role in pricing and block trades.

NASDAQ The first all-electronic securities market globally, with no physical trading floor. Tech giants like Microsoft and Apple are listed here. If you’re bullish on tech growth stocks, NASDAQ is a must-watch platform.

AMEX (NYSE American) The third-largest US trading market, specializing in small- and mid-cap stocks. It’s also the only exchange that trades stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously. Acquired by NYSE in 2008, it was renamed NYSE American.

Start Your US Stock Investment Journey

To enter the US stock market from Taiwan, just three steps: choose a suitable trading platform and register, deposit (minimum $50 USD), and then start exploring trading opportunities and placing orders quickly. New users can also receive bonuses; try a demo account to experience the actual trading process.

Master the opening hours, holiday schedule, and the features of the three major exchanges, and you’re ready to step into the US stock market. The rest depends on your risk tolerance and choosing the right investment strategy.