Complete Guide to US Stock Market Trading Hours: 2025-2026 Schedule Every Taiwanese Investor Must Read

Why Should Taiwanese Investors Pay Attention to US Stock Market Trading Hours?

As more Taiwanese investors enter the US stock market, understanding the precise trading hours becomes crucial. The US stock market is half a globe away from Taiwan, and with seasonal adjustments each year, time zone differences often confuse novice investors. This article will detail the opening and closing rules of the US stock market, along with the corresponding local time in Taiwan.

Detailed Explanation of Regular US Stock Market Trading Hours

The US stock market mainly consists of the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange, which generally operate synchronously. The trading hours are divided into three parts:

Pre-market Trading: 4:00 - 9:30 AM Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. Liquidity is lower during this period, and spreads may be wider.

Regular Trading Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. This is the main trading session with the highest volume and most reference prices.

After-hours Trading: 4:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. Participation is relatively lower, and risks should be carefully considered.

Trading is calculated by the number of shares, with a minimum unit of 1 share, all priced in USD. The average commission fee is about 0.5%-1% (electronic trading) or 1% (manual trading), with settlement on T+3 days.

Essential for Taiwanese Investors: Corresponding US Stock Market Times

Here is the key—the specific corresponding times of US stock market trading hours in Taiwan time. Since the US adjusts for daylight saving time (DST) and standard time each year, while Taiwan remains in the same time zone year-round, investors need to pay special attention to seasonal changes.

Standard Time Period (First Sunday in November to Second Sunday in March):

• Regular trading: 9:30~16:00 (ET) → 22:30~5:00 the next day (Taiwan time)
• Pre-market trading: 4:00~9:30 (ET) → 17:00~22:30 (Taiwan time)
• After-hours trading: 16:00~20:00 (ET) → 5:00~9:00 (Taiwan time)

Daylight Saving Time Period (Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November):

• Regular trading: 9:30~16:00 (ET) → 21:30~4:00 the next day (Taiwan time)
• Pre-market trading: 4:00~9:30 (ET) → 16:30~21:30 (Taiwan time)
• After-hours trading: 16:00~20:00 (ET) → 4:00~8:00 (Taiwan time)

In simple terms, during standard time, the US stock market’s regular trading hours in Taiwan are from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM the next day; during daylight saving time, it shifts one hour earlier to 9:30 PM to 4:00 AM. Many Taiwanese office workers choose to participate in trading during the evening or early morning hours.

US Stock Market Holidays in 2025

The US stock market is closed on major federal holidays. Investors should plan ahead. The holiday closing dates for 2025 are as follows:

US Stock Market Holidays in 2026

For long-term planning, the 2026 holiday schedule has been announced in advance:

Overview of the Three Major US Stock Exchanges

Understanding the characteristics of US stock exchanges can help optimize investment strategies.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the world’s largest stock exchange by total market capitalization of listed securities, with over 3,500 listed stocks. It primarily operates electronically, but floor trading still plays a role in setting prices and handling large institutional trades.

NASDAQ is the world’s first electronic securities market, where investors place orders via phone or online directly. It hosts many high-tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, and others.

American Stock Exchange (AMEX, now NYSE American) is the third-largest US trading market, similar to NYSE but mainly listing small- and mid-cap stocks. It uniquely offers trading in stocks, futures, and derivatives. After being acquired by NYSE in 2008, it was renamed NYSE American.

Other Major Global Stock Markets and Their Trading Hours in Taiwan Time

If you invest across markets, here are the trading hours of other major countries’ stock exchanges in Taiwan time:

China Securities Exchange: 9:30-11:30, 13:00-15:00 (same as Taiwan time)

Tokyo Stock Exchange (Japan): 9:00-11:30, 12:30-15:00 (ET), corresponding to 8:00-10:30 and 11:30-14:00 in Taiwan time

London Stock Exchange (UK): 8:00-16:30 (UK time), corresponding to 16:00-00:30 (next day) in Taiwan time

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing: 9:15-16:00 (Hong Kong time), same as Taiwan time

Toronto Stock Exchange (Canada): 9:30-16:00 (Eastern Canada time), corresponding to 22:30-5:00 the next day in Taiwan time

Deutsche Börse (Germany): 8:00-22:00 (CET), corresponding to 15:00-5:00 the next day in Taiwan time

Australian Securities Exchange: 10:00-16:00 (AEST), corresponding to 8:00-14:00 in Taiwan time

Mastering the trading hours of the US stock market and other global exchanges can help you plan your investment schedule more effectively and seize market opportunities.