Trading Day at the Madrid Stock Exchange: Complete Schedule and Time Zones

The Madrid Stock Exchange is the main financial market in Spain and the epicenter of the national stock trading activity. Understanding its operational functioning is essential for any investor wishing to participate in the most relevant securities in the country. Today, the stock exchange is open, and the regular activities of this market, which is an integral part of the SIBE (Spanish Interconnection System), will continue.

Spanish Market Operational Structure

The SIBE coordinates the activity of four stock exchanges: Madrid Stock Exchange, Barcelona Stock Exchange, Valencia Stock Exchange, and Bilbao Stock Exchange. Although Madrid Stock Exchange is often mentioned as the sole reference, it is necessary to clarify that all operate under this integrated system since 1995. Since 2001, Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME) manages these operations.

Trading Hours: Monday to Friday

The regular trading session operates according to the following schedule:

Times expressed in CEST (Central European Summer Time)

The regular trading remains active for more than 8 uninterrupted hours. There are no trading sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

Pre- and Post-Session Trading Periods

Before the regular session begins at 9:00 am, the opening auction runs from 8:30 am. During this period, the system processes unexecuted orders from the previous day along with new orders for that period. The matching of these orders determines the initial price of the session.

After the regular trading ends at 5:30 pm, the closing auction operates for 5 minutes. In this phase, an equilibrium price is set, allowing some orders that did not find a counterparty during the regular session to be executed.

The IBEX 35 and Its Relevance

The IBEX 35 index was launched on January 14, 1992, and groups the 35 companies with the highest market capitalization in Spain. Among the main components are global financial entities like BBVA and Banco Santander, international construction companies such as ACS, Ferrovial, and Acciona, as well as Inditex, the largest retailer in the country. These stocks channel a particularly strong international projection toward Latin American markets.

Historical Trajectory of the Spanish Market

The Madrid Stock Exchange was established on September 10, 1831, through a law drafted by jurist Pedro Sainz de Andino. Commercial operations began on October 20 of the same year, initially involving banks, steel companies, and railway firms. Later, the Bilbao Stock Exchange emerged in 1890, Barcelona in 1915, and Valencia joined later in 1980. The integration of these four exchanges into the SIBE in 1995 consolidated the modern Spanish market.

Suspension Calendar and Non-Operational Days

The trading calendar for 2025 includes closures on the following dates:

• January 1 (Wednesday)
• April 18 (Friday)
• April 21 (Monday)
• May 1 (Thursday)
• December 25 (Thursday)
• December 26 (Friday)

Additionally, there are days with reduced trading hours and modified schedules.

International Time Equivalents

For investors located in Spanish-speaking capitals, the time conversions are as follows:

First Steps to Operate

To start activities in the market: first, register on the platform; second, deposit the necessary funds; third, begin trading with the desired securities.