Can after-hours trading really make money 24/7? A deep dive into US stock after-hours and US futures after-hours trading

“The closing is the real battleground,” “Futures night trading can be unlimited”—you’ve probably heard these words many times. But when you actually open your trading software and look at quotes from different time zones and a variety of trading rules, you often find yourself confused. Today, let’s clarify the differences between US Stock After-Hours Trading and US Futures Night Trading.

Why Are More and More People Paying Attention to After-Hours Trading?

Traditional US stock trading hours are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, meaning investors in other time zones either have to wake up in the middle of the night or wait until the next trading day. The emergence of electronic trading has broken this limitation, turning trading into a true “global village”—whether you’re in New York, London, or Taipei, you can participate in the market at suitable times.

However, US Stock After-Hours Trading and US Futures Night Trading are not the same thing. The former mainly refers to after-hours stock trading, with relatively fixed times; the latter includes crude oil, gold, various futures products, with more flexible trading hours, almost 24/7.

US Stock After-Hours vs US Futures Night Trading: Time Comparison

US Stock After-Hours Trading Session

Regular US stock trading is from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET. After-hours trading (night session) continues after the market closes, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, totaling 4 hours.

Converted to Taiwan Time:

• Daylight Saving Time (second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November): 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (ET) = 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM (Taiwan)
• Standard Time (first Sunday in November to second Sunday in March): 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (ET) = 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Taiwan)

US Futures Night Trading Hours

In comparison, US futures markets operate with more flexibility. For example, stock index futures have a manual trading session from 9:30 AM to 4:15 PM ET, while the US Futures Night Session runs from 4:30 PM until 9:15 AM the next day, covering almost the entire night.

Converted to Taiwan Time:

• Daylight Saving Time: 4:30 PM to 9:15 AM (Taiwan)
• Standard Time: 5:30 PM to 10:15 AM (Taiwan)

Note: Electronic trading on Monday opens 1.5 hours later.

Tips for Understanding Electronic Quote Prices

Where to see US Stock After-Hours Quotes?

The most direct way is to visit the official websites of NASDAQ and NYSE, where you can see real-time quotes on the after-hours trading pages. Most mainstream brokerage platforms (like Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, etc.) also support after-hours trading inquiries.

How to check US Futures Night Trading Quotes?

Platforms like CME, Investing.com, TradingView all provide real-time quotes for US futures. Among them, TradingView offers powerful charting features, allowing you to set various technical indicators for analysis.

Key Tip: Quotes may vary slightly across platforms due to differences in liquidity. Also, the bid-ask spread during electronic trading is often larger than during daytime trading, meaning the prices you see may not be immediately executable.

Hidden Risks of After-Hours Trading You Must Know

The Real Trouble of Low Liquidity

Participation in US stock after-hours trading is relatively sparse, leading to significantly reduced trading volume for some stocks. In extreme cases, certain stocks may have no trades during the entire night session, causing your orders to remain unfilled for a long time.

“Black Swan” Risks in Price Fluctuations

Major news events overnight (such as sudden corporate restructuring announcements or unexpected economic data releases) can cause stocks to fluctuate sharply on electronic platforms. Many traders lose money during after-hours trading because they fail to anticipate gaps at the next open.

“Unequal Competition” from Institutional Investors

US futures night trading attracts many hedge funds and institutional investors who have access to more information and larger capital. Retail traders without solid analysis skills can easily be “harvested” here.

Technical Risks in Order Execution

US futures night trading is fully automated through computer matching. If system delays or failures occur, your stop-loss orders may not trigger in time, leading to unexpected losses.

Practical Advantages of After-Hours Trading

Despite the risks, after-hours trading offers new opportunities:

• Flexible Timing: No longer restricted by fixed trading hours; you can trade when you’re most alert and confident.
• Faster Information Response: Overnight international news and earnings reports can be reflected immediately in the night session, without waiting for the next day’s open.
• Pre-positioning Opportunities: If you anticipate a stock or futures product will rise the next trading day, you can build positions early to seize the advantage.
• Market Expansion: Global investors can participate, making market pricing more fair.

How Should Taiwanese Investors Respond?

Taiwan Futures Exchange’s trading hours (3:00 PM to 5:00 AM next day) are already quite comprehensive. If you’re interested in US stocks or US futures, it is recommended to:

1. Start with daytime trading to familiarize yourself with basic technical analysis and risk management.
2. Set clear stop-loss points to avoid forced liquidation due to liquidity issues during night trading.
3. Pay close attention to overnight global news and prepare contingency plans.
4. Be cautious with high leverage—US futures night trading allows high leverage, but risks are proportionally increased.

Summary

Both US Stock After-Hours and US Futures Night Trading open new doors for global investors, but the idea that “you can make money 24 hours a day” is overly optimistic. The reality is: after-hours trading indeed offers more opportunities but also hides greater risks. Successful investors are not those who trade frequently, but those who deeply understand market rules, know when to act, and when to stay patient. Before engaging in electronic trading, be sure to understand the detailed rules of your platform and develop a reliable risk management plan.