2025 US Stock Market Complete Guide: When to Trade? From Holidays to Korea Time Comparison Table

Introduction

Knowing the exact trading hours is essential for investing in the US stock market. This is especially important because there is up to a 14-hour time difference with Korea, and daylight saving time is applied from March to November, causing trading hours to shift. Missing trading opportunities due to incorrect time calculations is a common mistake among investors. This article summarizes all the trading information for the US stock market in 2025 for easy reference.

Overview of Major US Stock Exchanges

NYSE(New York Stock Exchange)

Founded in 1792, it boasts the longest history and is the largest in the world by market capitalization. Approximately 2,400 companies are listed, with a total market cap of about $23 trillion. Traditional giants such as Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart are mainly listed here.

NASDAQ(NASDAQ Stock Market)

Established in 1971, it is a relatively new exchange and ranks second in the world by market capitalization. It is characterized by a focus on IT companies, with major listings including Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

AMEX(American Stock Exchange)

One of the three major US exchanges, primarily trading mid-sized and small companies. Unlike the NYSE, which focuses on large corporations, it serves as a platform for growth companies.

Complete Guide to US Stock Market Trading Hours

All three exchanges follow the same trading hours. Regular trading hours are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Converted to Korean time, this is from 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM the next day. However, during daylight saving time(from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November), trading starts one hour earlier, from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM.

In addition to regular trading, there are pre-market(from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM, and 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM Korean time), as well as after-hours(from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM the next day Korean time). These periods are highly volatile and less liquid, so caution is advised.

2025 US Stock Market Holiday Schedule

The US stock market is closed a total of 11 days throughout the year. These include New Year’s Day(, January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day(, January 20), Presidents’ Day(, February 17), Good Friday(, April 18), Memorial Day(, May 26), Juneteenth(, June 19), Independence Day(, July 4), Labor Day(, September 1), Thanksgiving Day(, November 27), and Christmas(, December 25). No trading occurs on these days.

Additionally, early closures happen on July 3(, November 28), and December 24(. On these days, the market closes between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM Korean time, so careful planning is required when scheduling trades.

Essential Checks Before Trading

All three US exchanges trade in US dollars, and settlement occurs two business days later. An important difference from Korea is that there are no price limit restrictions. Even during a sharp decline, there is no lower limit, which can lead to shocking losses when trading at night in Korean time. It is crucial to have a comprehensive risk management plan in place beforehand.

Comparison of Global Stock Exchange Opening Hours

To assist investors trading stocks from various countries, here is a comparison of major exchanges’ hours:

• Korea Exchange: 09:00~15:30 Korea time
• Tokyo Stock Exchange: 09:00~15:00 local time )Closed from 11:30~12:30(
• London Stock Exchange: 17:00~01:30 Korea time )During daylight saving time: 16:00~00:30(
• Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 10:30~17:00 Korea time )Closed from 13:00~14:00(
• Shanghai Stock Exchange: 10:30~16:00 Korea time )Closed from 12:30~14:00

Conclusion

Understanding the exact trading hours and holiday schedule of the US stock market is the first step toward successful investing. Be aware of time changes due to daylight saving time, check for market holidays, and note the absence of price limits. Fully grasp these differences from the Korean market when planning your trades. Always check official exchange notices to stay updated with the latest information.