2026 US Stock Market Opening Hours Complete Guide | A Must-Read Quick Reference for Taiwanese Traders

Core Reminder - The United States switched to Standard Time at 2:00 AM on November 2, 2025. Currently, the regular trading hours for US stocks are from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM Taiwan time. To accurately seize trading opportunities, it is crucial to grasp the correct opening times.

1. Essential for Taiwanese Traders: Quick Reference for US Stock Market Opening Hours

The trading hours of US stocks vary with the change between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time. Since Taiwan does not observe daylight saving time throughout the year, Taiwanese investors need to pay special attention to the time shifts in US clocks.

US Time Change Rules:

• Daylight Saving Time: Starts at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March, clocks move forward 1 hour
• Standard Time: Starts at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November, clocks move back 1 hour

Below is a complete comparison of US stock market opening times with Taiwan local time:

Regular Trading Hours (Eastern Time 9:30-16:00)

• During Standard Time: 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM Taiwan time
• During Daylight Saving Time: 9:30 PM to 4:00 AM Taiwan time

Pre-market Trading (Eastern Time 4:00-9:30)

• During Standard Time: 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM Taiwan time
• During Daylight Saving Time: 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM Taiwan time

After-hours Trading (Eastern Time 16:00-20:00)

• During Standard Time: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM Taiwan time
• During Daylight Saving Time: 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM Taiwan time

2. Quick Guide to US Stock Trading Rules

The US stock market consists of multiple independent exchanges, but the trading rules are generally consistent. As a Taiwanese trader, you need to understand the following key points:

Basic Trading Information

• Trading Currency: USD
• Minimum Trading Unit: 1 share
• Trading Days: Monday to Friday
• Settlement Cycle: T+3 (settlement occurs on the third business day after the trade)
• Commission Fees: About 1% for manual trades; about 0.5%-1% for electronic trades

Important: US stocks can be traded Monday through Friday, but US public holidays may result in market closures or early closings. Taiwanese traders should stay closely informed.

3. US Stock Market Holidays in 2026

US securities exchanges observe holidays with market closures or shortened trading hours. Here is the complete list of market holidays in 2026:

4. In-Depth Overview of the Three Major US Stock Exchanges

US stocks differ from Taiwan’s centralized trading model. There are three main independent exchanges, each operating and pricing separately. Taiwanese traders should understand their characteristics when choosing where to trade.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

The NYSE is the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalization. It lists over 3,500 companies, including leaders in traditional industries, finance, energy, and more.

It features both electronic and floor trading. Floor traders still play a vital role in handling large institutional orders and setting price discovery mechanisms. If you want to trade blue-chip and traditional industry leaders, the NYSE is the primary market.

NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ)

NASDAQ is the world’s first fully electronic stock exchange and is known for technology stocks. Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, and other tech giants are listed here.

With a fully electronic trading mode, investors can trade directly via phone or internet, providing ample liquidity. If you are optimistic about the tech sector or growth companies, the NASDAQ trading hours are the same as the above Taiwan time correspondences.

NYSE American (formerly AMEX)

NYSE American is the third-largest US stock exchange, similar in trading style to the NYSE but focusing on small- and mid-cap companies. It is unique in supporting trading of stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously. It was acquired by NYSE in 2008 and is now renamed NYSE American.

5. Global Stock Market Time Comparison Table

Besides US stocks, Taiwanese traders can also monitor other major stock markets. Here are the opening and closing times of common global exchanges with their corresponding Taiwan local times:

Trading Tip: US stock market opening hours span from Taiwan evening to early morning the next day. It is recommended to set reminders or utilize pre-market and after-hours trading to deploy strategies in advance.