Is today a half-day for the stock market?

Quick Take: Are US Stock Markets Closing Early Today?

Ever found yourself staring at your trading app, wondering if the stock market is about to wrap up early? Whether you’re an active trader, a casual investor, or just someone waiting on a trade settlement, knowing if today is a half-day for stocks is crucial. This article aims to save you from those last-minute surprises and walk you through the proven steps (with screenshots and real-world commentary) to check for half-days and special trading hours. Plus, I'll share some personal mishaps and insights from the finance industry on why these half-days matter more than you might think.

How Do You Know If Today Is a Half-Day for Stocks?

Let’s start with what half-days are: on certain holidays, major US stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ close early. Usually, that means shutting down at 1:00 p.m. ET instead of 4:00 p.m. ET. But it’s not always straightforward—there are exceptions, and sometimes even experienced traders get caught off guard.

Step-by-Step: My Go-To Methods (with Screenshots)

1. Check the Official NYSE and NASDAQ Calendars
   The NYSE Holiday Calendar is my first stop. They maintain a downloadable PDF with all scheduled holidays and half-days for the year. The NASDAQ does the same here.
   Screenshot Example:
   
2. Google “Is today a stock market half-day?”
   Sounds basic, but news outlets like CNBC and MarketWatch often put up banners on unusual trading days. On July 3rd or Black Friday, for instance, they’ll have headlines like “US markets close early for holiday.”
   Screenshot Example:
   
3. Broker Platform Notifications
   Platforms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood send alerts about early closures. That’s how I once avoided a trading disaster—Robinhood pinged me with an “Early Market Closure Today” notification. Not all brokers do this, but it’s worth checking your messages or notification center.

Personal Story: Missing a Sell Order on Black Friday

A couple years ago, I scheduled a stock sale for what I thought was the usual 3:30 p.m. window before market close. Turns out, it was Black Friday—a notorious half-day. My order didn’t execute, and I missed a price jump the following Monday. That’s when I started setting calendar reminders for every known half-day. Lesson learned: double-check, especially around US holidays.

Official Rules and Where to Find Them

According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the NYSE and NASDAQ set their own hours, but they stick to a consistent pattern for half-days:

• The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday): markets close at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Christmas Eve (if it falls on a weekday): close at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Sometimes, July 3rd (if July 4th is a holiday)

But always check each year’s official calendar—sometimes there are special one-off closures (for instance, national days of mourning).

Industry Expert: “Don’t Rely on Memory”

In a recent Barron’s interview, market historian Jeffrey Hirsch said, “Even pros can get caught off guard by a surprise half-day. Never rely on memory—always check the calendar.”

Special Cases and International Markets

It’s not just the US: other major markets have their own quirks. For example, the London Stock Exchange sometimes closes early before Christmas or New Year’s. Japanese markets have “Golden Week” closures. If you trade globally, you really need a multi-country calendar.

Verified Trade: Standards in Different Countries (Comparison Table)

Country	Holiday/Half-Day Name	Legal Basis	Governing Body
USA	Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, etc.	NYSE/NASDAQ rules (NYSE, NASDAQ)	NYSE/NASDAQ
UK	Christmas, New Year's Eve	LSE Rulebook (LSE)	London Stock Exchange
Japan	Golden Week, New Year’s	TSE Regulations (JPX)	Tokyo Stock Exchange
EU	Variable by country	Each exchange’s rulebook	Euronext, Deutsche Börse, etc.

Real-World Case: US and UK Half-Day Disagreement

A few years back, there was confusion when US markets had a half-day for July 3rd, but the London Stock Exchange ran on normal hours. Some dual-listed companies saw wild price swings as traders miscalculated arbitrage opportunities. The SEC and UK FCA both published clarifications, but not before a lot of retail investors (myself included) got caught in the crossfire.

Expert View: “Global Coordination Still Lags”

As industry analyst Anna G. noted in a Financial Times op-ed, “Despite increasing globalization, exchanges still rarely coordinate on partial closures, leaving cross-border traders at a disadvantage.”

Final Thoughts and Action Steps

In my experience, don’t trust your intuition—or even your calendar app alone—when it comes to stock market half-days. Always check the official exchange calendars, watch for broker notifications, and skim the headlines on days near major US holidays. For international stocks, it’s even more critical to check each exchange’s schedule.

If you’re trading around a suspected half-day, try to place your trades early. And if you’re ever in doubt, call your broker’s help line (I’ve done this more than once—sometimes they spot special closures I missed).

So, is today a half-day? Use the steps above to confirm before making any big moves. Markets don’t forgive timing mistakes, but a quick check can save you a lot of trouble.