Stock exchange trading hours & trading sessions

Enrique Valls
Enrique Valls
Enrique holds the position of Investment Manager Europe & Latin America at Rankia. He has been investing in the stock market for over 12 years and likes to invest in large companies at a good price using the "52-week low" method. He buys to th... Full Bio
Follow:
July 27, 2023
INDEX

Staying informed about the latest news and trading hours for financial instruments is crucial. Understanding the opening and closing times of major world stock exchanges enables us to closely monitor market trends and their impact on stock profitability.

Being aware of when the main stock exchanges open and close allows us to plan our trading strategies effectively and make informed decisions. Whether we are engaging in intra-day trading or long-term investments, knowing these trading hours helps us stay on top of market developments and seize potential opportunities.

Here’s our quick guide to stock exchange hours and main trading sessions around the world.

Why is it important to know the stock exchange trading hours?

Understanding the trading hours of world stock exchanges is crucial due to the variations across different countries and the impact of holidays, which can lead to non-coinciding schedules. The stock market operates in a dynamic and ever-changing environment, making it essential to be aware of the opening and closing times, especially during volatile sessions.

For traders engaging in medium or long-term trading, the variations may not have a significant impact. However, for intraday trading, knowing these hours becomes critical for executing timely and well-informed trades.

Being aware of the specific trading hours allows traders to take advantage of price fluctuations and identify potential profit opportunities.

In conclusion, stock exchange hours play a pivotal role in daily trading activities, and as investors, having this knowledge is indispensable to seize potential opportunities that may arise during specific times of the day.

Main stock exchange sessions

  1. European session
  2. American session
  3. Asia & Africa session
  4. Oceania session

Knowing what time the stock market opens and closes in a country is extremely important, especially if you trade forex or you are a daytrader.

The first exchanges to open during the day are the Asian and the European ones, and finally the American session. Below is a detailed list of opening and closing times of global stock exchanges. The times are expressed in GMT and GMT+1 during British Summer Time (BST).

Stock exchange trading hours in the UK

The London Stock Exchange is one of the oldest and most important stock exchanges in the UK. It serves as the primary stock exchange in the UK. Its trading hours are:

  • London Stock Exchange (LSE): 08:00 to 16:30

The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange and is designed for smaller and growing companies. It provides a platform for these companies to raise capital and gain access to public investors. The AIM’s trading hours are the same as the LSE:

  • Alternative Investment Market (AIM): 08:00 to 16:30

Stock exchange trading hours in Europe

The opening and closing hours below for stock exchanges in Europe are based on the UK timezone (GMT/BST) but are subject to change due to various factors, including daylight saving time adjustments and holidays.

  • France: Euronext Paris, 08:00-16:30
  • Germany: Xetra (Frankfurt Stock Exchange), 08:00-16:30
  • Italy: Borsa Italiana, 08:00-16:25
  • Switzerland: SIX Swiss Exchange, 07:00-15:30
  • Spain: BME Spanish Exchanges, 07:00-15:30
  • Sweden: OMX Nordic Exchanges (Stockholm), 08:00-16:30
  • Denmark: OMX Nordic Exchanges (Copenhagen), 08:00-16:30
  • Finland: OMX Nordic Exchanges (Helsinki), 08:00-16:30
  • Ireland: Irish Stock Exchange (ISE), 08:00-16:30
  • Poland: Warsaw Stock Exchange, 07:00-15:50
  • Austria: Vienna Stock Exchange, 08:00-16:30
  • Belgium: Euronext Brussels, 08:00-16:30
  • Netherlands: Euronext Amsterdam, 08:00-16:30
  • Portugal: Euronext Lisbon, 08:00-16:30

Stock exchange trading hours in Asia and Africa

The opening and closing hours below for stock exchanges in Europe are based on the UK timezone (GMT/BST) but are subject to change due to various factors, including daylight saving time adjustments and holidays.

  1. Japan: Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), 00:00-06:00
  2. China: Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), 01:30-07:00
  3. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), 01:30-08:00
  4. Singapore: Singapore Exchange (SGX), 02:00-09:00
  5. India: National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), 03:45-11:00
  6. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), 07:00-13:30
  7. South Africa: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), 07:00-15:00

American stock exchange hours

The opening and closing hours below for stock exchanges in Europe are based on the UK timezone (GMT/BST) but are subject to change due to various factors, including daylight saving time adjustments and holidays.

  • USA: NYSE & NASDAQ: 14:30-21:00 (GMT) / 13:30-20:00 (BST during daylight saving time)
  • Canada: Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), 14:30-21:00 (GMT) / 13:30-20:00 (BST during daylight saving time)
  • Mexico: Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV), 13:30-20:00 (GMT) / 14:30-21:00 (BST during daylight saving time)
  • Brazil: São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3), 12:00-19:00 (GMT) / 13:00-20:00 (BST during daylight saving time)
  • Argentina: Buenos Aires Stock Exchange (BCBA), 12:00-17:30 (GMT) / 13:00-18:30 (BST during daylight saving time)

Have a look at the US stock exchange calendar for this year.

Trading hours of the stock exchanges in Oceania

The opening and closing hours below for stock exchanges in Europe are based on the UK timezone (GMT/BST) but are subject to change due to various factors, including daylight saving time adjustments and holidays.

  • New Zealand: New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX), 22:00-04:45 (GMT) / 23:00-05:45 (BST during daylight saving time)
  • Australia: Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), 00:00-06:00 (GMT) / 01:00-07:00 (BST during daylight saving time)

The influence of the Daylight Saving Time

It’s important to consider the influence of daylight saving time when planning your trades. Although some countries are considering abandoning daylight saving time, the UK continues to practise it.

The clock goes forward 1 hour at 1:00 on the last Sunday in Match, and back 1 hour at 2:00 on the last Sunday in October. It’s important to factor this in when placing orders on foreign exchanges.

More articles about the stock market

Summary

On average, foreign stock exchanges are operational for 6-8 hours a day, from Monday to Friday, with continuous trading hours (although some exchanges do take a lunch break). Additionally, there are pre-trading phases where you can place orders that will not be executed until the official opening. The trading day follows the rotation of time zones, with the Asian markets opening first, followed by the European markets, and finally, the American markets.

Stock exchanges trading hours FAQs

Why is it essential to know stock exchange trading hours in different countries?

Understanding stock exchange trading hours in various countries is vital for effective investment strategies. If you place orders when the exchange is closed, it will remain pending until it opens. Once it does, the execution price may vary significantly.

How can knowing the opening and closing times of major stock exchanges benefit intraday traders?

Being aware of stock exchange opening and closing times allows intraday traders to align their trades with peak market hours, facilitating timely execution and potentially maximising profit opportunities.

How does Daylight Saving Time impact international trading hours?

Daylight Saving Time variations across countries can affect trading hours, leading to adjustments in market opening and closing times, making it crucial for investors to stay updated and adapt their trading schedules accordingly.

Featured
Other articles by Enrique Valls
Share this article on

Related Articles