US Stock Exchange Operation Mechanisms and Market Structure
The US stock market consists of multiple independently operated securities exchanges, primarily including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Although each exchange operates independently, in most cases, their trading hours are synchronized, and price differences are usually minimal.
New York Stock Exchange - NYSE by total market capitalization of listed securities, is the world’s largest stock exchange, with over 3,500 listed stocks. Its trading methods are mainly electronic, but floor trading still plays an important role in setting prices and handling large institutional trades.
NASDAQ is the world’s first fully electronic stock trading market, where investors trade directly via phone or internet. Most listed stocks are high-tech companies, such as Microsoft, Apple, and other tech giants.
American Stock Exchange - AMEX (now called NYSE American) is the third-largest trading market in the US, mainly focusing on small and mid-cap stocks, with the unique advantage of trading stocks, futures, and derivatives markets simultaneously.
US Stock Regular Trading Hours and Rules
US stock trading is divided into three sessions, all based on Eastern Time (ET):
Pre-market trading hours: Monday to Friday, 4:00-9:30
Regular trading hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30-16:00
After-hours trading: Monday to Friday, 16:00-20:00
US stocks are priced in USD, with a trading unit of 1 share. The settlement cycle is T+3, with transaction fees typically around 1% for manual trades or 0.5%-1% for electronic trades.
Important for Taiwanese Investors: Time Difference Adjustment and Trading Hours Correspondence
Due to daylight saving time (DST) and standard time in the US, while Asia maintains a fixed time year-round, Taiwanese investors need to pay special attention to time difference changes.
US Daylight Saving Time: Starts at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November, moving clocks forward by 1 hour.
US Standard Time: Starts at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November and ends at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March, moving clocks back by 1 hour.
Currently, it is in Standard Time, so the regular US stock trading hours correspond to 22:30 to 5:00 the next day in Taiwan local time. The full correspondence is as follows:
US Stock Trading Session
US Eastern Time
Taiwan Time (DST)
Taiwan Time (Standard)
Pre-market
4:00-9:30
16:30-21:30
17:00-22:30
Regular
9:30-16:00
21:30-4:00
22:30-5:00
After-hours
16:00-20:00
4:00-8:00
5:00-9:00
US Stock Market Holidays and Closure Schedule
US markets close or close early on federal holidays and major festivals. Investors must be aware of these dates to avoid missing trading opportunities or facing liquidity risks.
2025 US Stock Market Holidays
Date
Holiday
Trading Status
Jan 1
New Year’s Day
Closed
Jan 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Closed
Feb 17
Washington’s Birthday
Closed
Apr 18
Good Friday
Closed
May 26
Memorial Day
Closed
Jun 19
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Closed
Jul 3
Independence Eve
Closes 3 hours early
Jul 4
Independence Day
Closed
Sep 1
Labor Day
Closed
Nov 27
Thanksgiving Day
Closed
Nov 28
Day after Thanksgiving
Closes 3 hours early
Dec 24
Christmas Eve
Closes 3 hours early
Dec 25
Christmas Day
Closed
2026 US Stock Market Holidays
Date
Holiday
Trading Status
Jan 1
New Year’s Day
Closed
Jan 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Closed
Feb 16
Washington’s Birthday
Closed
Apr 3
Good Friday
Closed
May 25
Memorial Day
Closed
Jun 19
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Closed
Jul 3
Independence Day (Saturday moved to Friday)
Closed
Jul 4
Independence Day
Closed
Sep 7
Labor Day
Closed
Nov 26
Thanksgiving Day
Closed
Nov 27
Day after Thanksgiving
Closes 3 hours early
Dec 24
Christmas Eve
Closes 3 hours early
Dec 25
Christmas Day
Closed
Major Global Stock Markets Trading Hours Quick Reference
Besides US stocks, investors can also monitor other regional markets. Below are the opening and closing times of major global stock exchanges and their corresponding times in Taiwan:
Exchange
Local Time
Taiwan Local Time
China Shanghai & Shenzhen
9:30-11:30, 13:00-15:00
9:30-11:30, 13:00-15:00
Japan Tokyo
9:00-11:30, 12:30-15:00
8:00-10:30, 11:30-14:00
UK London
8:00-16:30
16:00-00:30
Hong Kong HKEX
9:15-16:00
9:15-16:00
Canada Toronto
9:30-16:00
22:30-05:00
Germany Frankfurt
8:00-22:00
15:00-5:00
Australia ASX
10:00-16:00
8:00-14:00
Mastering US market holidays and trading rules is crucial for Taiwanese investors to develop effective trading strategies. It is recommended to check trading dates ahead of major holidays to avoid market closures that prevent timely position adjustments.
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2025-2026 US Stock Market Trading Schedule Full Analysis: Market Holidays, Opening Hours, and Taiwan Correspondence Table
US Stock Exchange Operation Mechanisms and Market Structure
The US stock market consists of multiple independently operated securities exchanges, primarily including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Although each exchange operates independently, in most cases, their trading hours are synchronized, and price differences are usually minimal.
New York Stock Exchange - NYSE by total market capitalization of listed securities, is the world’s largest stock exchange, with over 3,500 listed stocks. Its trading methods are mainly electronic, but floor trading still plays an important role in setting prices and handling large institutional trades.
NASDAQ is the world’s first fully electronic stock trading market, where investors trade directly via phone or internet. Most listed stocks are high-tech companies, such as Microsoft, Apple, and other tech giants.
American Stock Exchange - AMEX (now called NYSE American) is the third-largest trading market in the US, mainly focusing on small and mid-cap stocks, with the unique advantage of trading stocks, futures, and derivatives markets simultaneously.
US Stock Regular Trading Hours and Rules
US stock trading is divided into three sessions, all based on Eastern Time (ET):
US stocks are priced in USD, with a trading unit of 1 share. The settlement cycle is T+3, with transaction fees typically around 1% for manual trades or 0.5%-1% for electronic trades.
Important for Taiwanese Investors: Time Difference Adjustment and Trading Hours Correspondence
Due to daylight saving time (DST) and standard time in the US, while Asia maintains a fixed time year-round, Taiwanese investors need to pay special attention to time difference changes.
US Daylight Saving Time: Starts at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November, moving clocks forward by 1 hour.
US Standard Time: Starts at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November and ends at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March, moving clocks back by 1 hour.
Currently, it is in Standard Time, so the regular US stock trading hours correspond to 22:30 to 5:00 the next day in Taiwan local time. The full correspondence is as follows:
US Stock Market Holidays and Closure Schedule
US markets close or close early on federal holidays and major festivals. Investors must be aware of these dates to avoid missing trading opportunities or facing liquidity risks.
2025 US Stock Market Holidays
2026 US Stock Market Holidays
Major Global Stock Markets Trading Hours Quick Reference
Besides US stocks, investors can also monitor other regional markets. Below are the opening and closing times of major global stock exchanges and their corresponding times in Taiwan:
Mastering US market holidays and trading rules is crucial for Taiwanese investors to develop effective trading strategies. It is recommended to check trading dates ahead of major holidays to avoid market closures that prevent timely position adjustments.