Summary: How to Find Out If Today Is a Stock Market Half-Day—and Why It Matters
Ever found yourself frantically checking your brokerage app, only to realize you have no idea if the market will close early today? You’re not alone. Figuring out whether today is a half-day for the stock market can be confusing, especially with all the holiday exceptions, emergency announcements, and those weird “special circumstances” that seem to pop up out of nowhere. This article will cut through the noise—offering not just a guide to today’s trading hours, but also practical steps (with screenshots), verified regulations, and a peek into how different countries handle “verified trade days.” Plus, I’ll share a true story about the time I completely messed up a trade because I didn’t check the calendar.
Why Stock Market Hours Aren’t Always What You Expect
Let’s say you wake up planning to sell a few stocks before lunch, maybe even brag a bit in your group chat about your latest options play. But just as you’re about to hit that “sell” button, you notice the market’s already closed—or worse, you’re locked out early because it’s a “half-day.”
I remember a Thanksgiving Eve a couple of years ago. I had set a limit order on SPY, assuming the market would be open until the regular closing bell. Spoiler: it wasn’t. My order didn’t go through, and I missed a perfect entry point. Turns out, the NYSE and NASDAQ both close at 1 p.m. ET on certain holidays—information buried deep in their rulebooks. These half-days don’t just affect retail traders: options expiration, settlement times, and even cross-border trades can all get tangled up.
How to Check If Today Is a Stock Market Half-Day
Let’s walk through the process I use now, after more than one embarrassing mix-up.
- Official Exchange Calendars: The gold standard is the official NYSE (NYSE Holiday Calendar) and NASDAQ (NASDAQ Trading Calendar). These pages update in real-time and list every full and half-day, with exact closing times.
- Brokerage Notifications: Most brokers (Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab, etc.) will push notifications about early closures. I’ve found Fidelity’s alerts most reliable—though I once got caught out when they sent the email at 10 a.m. ET, after the market had already closed early for Good Friday!
- Financial News Outlets: Financial media like CNBC and Bloomberg routinely run banners or articles on market schedule changes, especially around major US holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day, etc.).
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Practical Tip (with screenshot): Open your brokerage’s “Order Entry” page shortly after the market opens. If it displays a message like “Orders will not be accepted after 1 p.m. ET,” that’s your red flag. Here’s a screenshot from my Schwab account last Christmas Eve:
What Actually Counts as a "Half-Day" in US Markets?
A “half-day” usually means the market closes at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) instead of the normal 4:00 p.m. ET. The two major US exchanges—NYSE and NASDAQ—coordinate these early closes. Common half-days include:
- The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday)
- Christmas Eve (if it falls on a weekday)
- Occasionally, the day before Independence Day
You can always verify this in the official NYSE Rulebook, Section 7, Rule 51.1 (here).
Special Circumstances: When Else Might We Get a Half-Day?
Beyond holidays, the SEC and exchanges can declare unscheduled half-days due to emergencies (like severe weather or national events). For example, after President George H.W. Bush’s death, the NYSE closed for a full day of mourning—such exceptions are rare, but possible, and always announced on official channels.
The NYSE has the authority, under Regulation 7.2, to alter trading hours for “extraordinary circumstances.” You can check emergency notices at NYSE Notices.
International Comparison: “Verified Trade” Days
Since we’re talking about trading calendars, it’s worth mentioning how verified trade standards vary globally. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Country/Exchange | Holiday/Half-Day Basis | Legal Reference | Supervisory Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (NYSE/NASDAQ) | Federal holidays, exchange rules | NYSE Rule 51.1, SEC Reg SCI | SEC, FINRA |
| UK (London Stock Exchange) | Bank holidays, Christmas Eve early close | Companies Act 2006 | FCA, LSE |
| Japan (TSE) | National holidays, none for half-days | Financial Instruments and Exchange Act | FSA, JPX |
| Hong Kong (HKEX) | Chinese New Year, Christmas Eve half-day | Securities and Futures Ordinance | SFC, HKEX |
It’s fascinating how, for instance, the UK’s Christmas Eve half-day is practically a tradition, while Japan’s TSE almost never shortens hours except for natural disasters. For more, the OECD’s financial markets section gives great reference points.
Real-World Example: A Cross-Border Mix-Up
I once worked with a start-up trading US ADRs and HK-listed stocks. One December, our US team assumed the Hong Kong market would be a half-day on Christmas Eve (because NYSE was). Nope—HKEX closed early, but on a different schedule, and we got stuck with unsettled trades. Our compliance officer flagged this, and we had to cite the official HKEX trading calendar to resolve the dispute. Lesson learned: always check the local exchange’s actual notice.
Expert View: What the Pros Say
I reached out to a friend who’s a compliance officer at a major brokerage. Her advice: “Don’t rely on assumptions. Even seasoned traders get tripped up by half-days. Check the official exchange bulletins or trusted financial news—especially if you’re trading options or have T+2 settlement deadlines. And remember, global markets rarely sync up on holiday schedules. If you’re arbitraging, you can get burned.”
Conclusion: Avoid Costly Mistakes—Double-Check Before You Trade
To sum up—never assume today’s trading hours are “normal,” especially around holidays or after major news events. Bookmark the official NYSE/NASDAQ calendars, set up push notifications with your broker, and—if you’re trading internationally—always cross-reference local exchange schedules.
After my own half-day blunder, I make it a habit to check by 9 a.m. ET every day there’s even a hint of a holiday. If you’re ever in doubt, err on the side of caution and close out positions early. And don’t forget—markets sometimes surprise even the pros.
Next step? If you’re trading today and aren’t sure about the hours, hit up your broker’s help chat or go straight to the exchange’s website. Better to be too early than too late.