How long is the stock market open today is one of the most searched financial questions in the United States on December 31, 2025, as investors look to make informed decisions on the final trading day of the year. As of today, the U.S. stock market is open for a full regular trading session, giving traders and long-term investors a complete opportunity to participate before markets close for the New Year’s Day holiday.
Today, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market are operating under normal trading hours, opening at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time and closing at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This means the stock market is open for 6 hours and 30 minutes today, with no early closure for equities.
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Understanding How Long the Stock Market Is Open Today
The U.S. stock market follows a clearly defined daily schedule on regular trading days. Despite being the final day of the calendar year, December 31 is not a stock market holiday when it falls on a weekday. Because of this, investors can expect the same availability they would see on any standard trading day.
Today’s session provides a full window for:
• Buying and selling U.S. stocks
• Executing portfolio adjustments
• Closing out year-end positions
• Managing tax-related trading decisions
For many market participants, December 31 represents a critical moment. It is the last chance to act before the markets close for New Year’s Day, which makes knowing exactly how long the stock market is open today especially important.
Today’s Official U.S. Stock Market Hours
On December 31, 2025, the official trading schedule is as follows:
• Market Open: 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time
• Market Close: 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• Total Time Open: 6 hours and 30 minutes
These hours apply equally to the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market. There are no shortened equity trading hours today, and all standard trading rules remain in effect.
Why the Market Is Fully Open on December 31
Many investors assume that New Year’s Eve automatically means an early close. While that can happen with other holidays, it does not apply to U.S. stock trading today. The federal holiday associated with the New Year is observed on January 1, not December 31, when it falls on a weekday.
This distinction matters because U.S. exchanges structure their schedules around federal holidays, not calendar celebrations. Since December 31 is not designated as a federal market holiday, the exchanges remain open for their full session.
How Long Is the Stock Market Open Today Compared to Other Holiday Periods
To better understand today’s schedule, it helps to compare it with other well-known holiday trading days.
On some holidays, the market does close early. Examples include:
• The day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve (in many years)
On those days, markets often close at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. That is not the case today. December 31, 2025, does not carry an early close designation for equities, meaning investors receive the full trading session.
Regular Market Hours Explained in Detail
The U.S. stock market operates on a structured daily timeline designed to ensure liquidity, fairness, and orderly trading.
Opening Bell
At 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the opening bell signals the start of regular trading. During this period, most of the day’s trading volume begins to form as overnight news, earnings reactions, and global market movements are priced into U.S. stocks.
Midday Trading
From late morning through early afternoon, trading activity often stabilizes. While volatility can still occur, this period tends to be calmer compared to the opening and closing hours.
Closing Bell
At 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the closing bell marks the end of the official trading day. Prices at this time become the official closing prices used for daily performance calculations, portfolio valuations, and financial reporting.
Understanding this structure helps explain why knowing how long the stock market is open today matters. Each segment of the day serves a different trading purpose.
Extended Trading Hours vs. Regular Hours
While the stock market is officially open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, there are also extended trading sessions available to some investors.
Pre-Market Trading
Pre-market trading typically begins early in the morning. This session allows investors to react to overnight developments before the opening bell. However, volume is usually lower, and price swings can be sharper.
After-Hours Trading
After the market closes at 4:00 p.m., after-hours trading continues into the evening. Like pre-market trading, it offers flexibility but comes with higher risks and reduced liquidity.
It is important to note that when people ask how long the stock market is open today, they are usually referring to regular market hours, not extended sessions.
Investor Activity on the Last Trading Day of the Year
December 31 often carries a unique tone in the market. While today’s hours remain standard, investor behavior can differ from an average trading day.
Year-End Portfolio Adjustments
Many investors use the final trading day to rebalance holdings. This may include trimming positions, adding exposure to specific sectors, or aligning portfolios with new year strategies.
Tax-Related Trading
For taxable accounts, December 31 represents the final opportunity to realize gains or losses for the current tax year. This can influence trading volume and price movement, especially in individual stocks.
Institutional Positioning
Large institutional investors may finalize allocations, close books, or prepare for reporting deadlines. Their activity can affect overall market dynamics.
Knowing exactly how long the stock market is open today allows investors to plan these actions without unnecessary pressure.
Market Volume Expectations for Today
Even though the stock market is open for a full session today, volume patterns can differ slightly from a typical trading day.
Morning trading often sees steady participation as traders respond to overnight information. Midday activity may soften, particularly if many market participants have already completed their year-end transactions. The final hour of trading can bring renewed activity as positions are finalized before the closing bell.
Despite these fluctuations, liquidity remains sufficient throughout the session due to the full trading schedule.
What Happens After the Market Closes Today
Once the market closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, U.S. stock exchanges will remain closed on January 1 for the New Year’s Day holiday.
Trading will resume on the next regular business day with standard hours. This pause makes today’s session especially important for investors who need market access before the holiday.
Why Knowing Today’s Market Hours Matters for All Investors
Whether you are an active trader or a long-term investor, understanding how long the stock market is open today provides several benefits.
• Helps avoid missed trades due to incorrect assumptions
• Allows better planning for order execution
• Reduces risk tied to time-sensitive decisions
• Supports accurate portfolio management
Mistiming a trade because of incorrect market hours can lead to unnecessary stress or missed opportunities, especially on high-interest days like December 31.
Common Misunderstandings About December 31 Trading
One of the most frequent misconceptions is that New Year’s Eve always means early market closure. This belief persists year after year, even though it is not consistently accurate.
The reality is that December 31 is treated like any other regular trading day unless it falls on a weekend or is officially designated as a market holiday. In 2025, it is a weekday, and the market follows its standard schedule.
How Today’s Market Hours Affect Different Types of Investors
Day Traders
Day traders benefit from the full session, as it provides ample opportunity to enter and exit positions without compressed timeframes.
Long-Term Investors
Long-term investors often use the final trading day to make strategic adjustments without concern for shortened hours.
Retirement Account Holders
For retirement accounts that process trades only during regular hours, today’s full session ensures all eligible transactions can be completed.
Historical Consistency of December 31 Market Hours
Historically, when December 31 falls on a weekday, U.S. stock markets remain open for regular trading. This consistency allows investors to plan year-end strategies with confidence, knowing that the schedule rarely changes without formal notice.
This historical pattern reinforces why today’s market operates under normal conditions.
Key Takeaways on How Long the Stock Market Is Open Today
To summarize today’s confirmed trading schedule:
• The stock market is open today
• Trading runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• The total session lasts 6 hours and 30 minutes
• There is no early close for equities
• Markets will be closed on January 1
These points reflect the most current and accurate status for U.S. stock trading today.
Planning Ahead for the Next Trading Session
With markets closing for the New Year’s Day holiday, investors should prepare for the next available trading session. Orders placed after today’s close will not execute until the market reopens.
Understanding today’s hours allows for smoother planning and avoids last-minute surprises.
Final Thoughts on Today’s Trading Window
The final trading day of the year carries both symbolic and practical importance. While emotions can run high as one year ends and another begins, today’s market structure remains steady and predictable.
Knowing exactly how long the stock market is open today empowers investors to act with clarity, confidence, and precision during this important session.
How are you using today’s final trading window of the year? Share your thoughts and stay alert for market updates as the new year begins.