Taiwan Investors Must Know | US Stock Market Closing Times Comparison and Complete Guide to Market Holidays in 2025-2026

Quick Lookup: When Do US Stocks Close? Current Corresponding Time in Taiwan

There is no unified “global closing time” for US stocks; instead, it varies with the US local daylight saving time and standard time. In simple terms, regular trading hours are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, which translates to 9:30 PM to 4:00 AM in Taiwan (during daylight saving time) or 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM (during standard time).

Since 2025 has entered standard time (starting November 2), Taiwanese investors should plan based on 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM for US stock market close times.

Complete Schedule of US Stock Market Opening and Closing Times

The US has three major exchanges—New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and American Stock Exchange—operating independently, but their opening and closing times are generally synchronized. US stock trading is divided into three sessions:

Investor Tip: The regular trading hours are the most liquid and have the highest trading volume, making it the main operation period for most Taiwanese investors. Pre-market and after-hours trading involve fewer participants, larger spreads, and higher risks; beginners should participate cautiously.

Why Does US Stock Market Closing Time Change Between Daylight Saving and Standard Time?

While the US stock market closing time appears fixed, Asian investors will notice two “jumps” in time each year. This is because:

• The US implements daylight saving time: Typically, clocks move forward 1 hour on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM, and move back 1 hour on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM.
• Asia does not adjust for daylight saving: Taiwan maintains a consistent time year-round without such changes.

The direct impact is: When the US market closes at 4:00 PM, during daylight saving time, it corresponds to 4:00 AM in Taiwan; during standard time, it becomes 5:00 AM. Taiwanese investors need to adjust their trading plans twice a year accordingly.

Complete List of US Stock Market Holidays for 2025 and 2026

US stock markets close or have early closings on federal holidays. Taiwanese investors should pay special attention to these dates to avoid expecting trades or being caught in illiquid positions:

2025 US Stock Market Holidays

2026 US Stock Market Holidays

Introduction to the Three Major US Stock Exchanges

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

The largest in scale, ranked first globally by total market capitalization of listed companies, with over 3,500 listed stocks. Trading is mainly electronic, but floor trading still holds importance, especially for large institutional transactions and price discovery.

NASDAQ

The world’s first all-electronic securities exchange, where investors trade directly via phone or internet without a physical trading floor. It is home to many high-tech companies, including Microsoft, Apple, and others.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX, now renamed NYSE American)

The third-largest US trading market, acquired by NYSE in 2008 and renamed NYSE American. It mainly features small- and mid-cap stocks and is the only exchange that trades stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously.

Quick Overview of US Stock Trading Rules

• Trading Hours: Monday to Friday (excluding US holidays)
• Trading Currency: USD
• Minimum Trading Unit: 1 share
• Settlement Cycle: T+3 (settlement occurs three business days after trade)
• Trading Fees: Manual trading approximately 1%, electronic trading 0.5%-1%

Practical Tips for Taiwanese Investors

1. Remember the Standard Time: Currently (November-March), US stock market closes at 5:00 AM Taiwan time. Do not set incorrect trading alarms.
2. Pay Attention to Holidays: US markets are closed on holidays, but Taiwan stocks and other markets may still open. Do not assume all markets are closed simultaneously.
3. Be Cautious with Pre-market and After-hours: Low liquidity and large spreads make these sessions unsuitable for beginners.
4. Plan Ahead for Long Holidays: US holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas often involve multiple days of closure. Adjust your positions in advance to avoid passive holdings.

Trading US stocks is an important component of global asset allocation for Taiwanese investors, but understanding time differences and holiday rules is essential to effectively manage trading risks.