How many trading days in a year?
Have you ever considered how many trading days there are in a year? Is there a specific number of trading days in a calendar year that are reserved for successful trading in the stock market? And what is the average number of trading days? If you are seriously thinking about starting your own career, it’s crucial to note that it all depends on the year you are in.
One of the top reasons why it depends on the year in which you are trading is due to the fact that we have nine market holidays that either are on normal business days or weekend days. Before we get to the 2023 trading days calendar and how many stock trading days in a year are, let’s get to know what we mean by a “trading day” exactly.
Two kinds of sessions besides normal trading hours
If you are eager to know how many trading days in a year, you should also understand that in addition to normal trading hours, there are two kinds of sessions:
- From 7:00 am to 9:30 am ET, which are pre-market sessions
- From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET which represents the after-hours sessions or the “extended hours.” Not many brokers offer extended trading hours, though.
However, when the market is closed, there isn’t an option to trade stocks, i.e. buy or sell them.
United States Trading Calendar
Generally speaking, there are 252 trading days in a year on the New York Stock Exchange when traders from all over the world can trade. Nonetheless, keep in mind that this all varies from one particular year to another.
Major US stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, are open for trading from Monday to Friday, excluding weekends.
Typically, there are around 252 trading days in a year, with weekends being non-trading days. In 2024, a leap year, there will be 252 trading days accounting for market holidays when exchanges are closed.
The same applies to 2025, with an expected 252 trading days unless there are any adjustments to market holiday schedules.
Trading days in the financial markets are structured to accommodate different time zones and offer extended hours for trading. For instance, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) operates from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. This means that traders have a window of 6.5 hours each trading day to buy and sell securities on the NYSE.
It is important for traders to be aware of these specific trading hours and schedules, as well as market holidays, in order to effectively plan their trading strategies.
For example, if a trader is located in a different time zone, they may need to adjust their trading schedule to align with the opening and closing times of the NYSE.
Additionally, being aware of market holidays is crucial, as sessions may be closed on these days, impacting the liquidity and volatility of the market.
Every trader must know these schedules and holidays in order to maximize opportunities for profits and minimize the risks. Finally, always stay informed if you want to find your way around in financial markets trading.
Is It Advisable to Trade During Extended Hours?
It’s generally not advisable to place orders before or after regular sessions, especially if you’re not an experienced day trader. This is primarily because trading volume for assets is typically low during these periods, both on the NYSE and the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Additionally, significant news can cause immediate market reactions, making it difficult to rely on technical analysis.
When does the stock market close?
The stock market usually closes around the following holidays:
- January 1st – New Year’s Day
- The 3rd Monday of January – Martin Luther King, Jr Day
- The 3rd Monday in February – Presidents’ Day
- The Friday before Easter Sunday – Good Friday
- The last Monday of May – Memorial Day
- July 4th – Independence Day
- The first Monday in September – Labor Day
- The fourth Thursday of November – Thanksgiving Day
- December 25th – Christmas Day
Trading days in 2024 – calendar
According to the image, the holidays in 2024 when the market will close are:
- Jan 1 New Year’s Day
- Jan 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Feb 19 Washington’s Birthday
- Mar 29 Good Friday
- June 19 Juneteenth
- July 3 markets are closed at 1:00
- July 4, Independence Day
- Sep 2 Labor Day
- Nov 28 Thanksgiving Day
- Nov 29 markets are closed at 1:00
- Dec 25 Christmas Day
Trading days in 2025 – calendar
According to the image, the holidays in 2025 when the market will close are:
- Jan 1 New Year’s Day
- Jan 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Feb 17 Washington’s Birthday
- Apr 18 Good Friday
- May 26, Memorial Day
- June 19 Juneteenth
- July 3 markets are closed at 1:00
- July 4, Independence Day
- Sep 1 Labor Day
- Nov 27, Thanksgiving Day
- Nov 28 markets are closed at 1:00
- Dec 24 markets are closed at 1:00
- Dec 25, Christmas Day.
