Time Zone Settings Every U.S. Stock Investor Must Know
Korean investors trading in the U.S. stock market often make the most mistakes when it comes to calculating trading hours. The time difference between the U.S. and Korea, daylight saving time transitions, and various other factors can make it difficult to accurately determine the actual trading hours. Especially since U.S. market holidays are completely different from Korea’s, trading without a plan can lead to encountering closed markets unexpectedly.
This article provides the regular trading hours of the U.S. stock market, as well as pre-market, after-hours trading, and all U.S. market holidays in 2025, converted into Korea time. By also summarizing the characteristics and trading regulations of the NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX exchanges, you will no longer be confused by the U.S. stock market timetable.
The Three Major U.S. Stock Exchanges and Their Identities
New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) - Traditional exchange focused on blue chips
Founded in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange is the oldest existing securities exchange. It boasts the largest market capitalization in the world, with about 2,400 listed companies and a total market cap exceeding $23 trillion.
Companies listed on the NYSE are mainly long-established large corporations. Globally recognized companies such as Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart are traded on this exchange.
NASDAQ( - The cradle of tech stocks
Established in 1971, NASDAQ initially started as an over-the-counter market but rapidly grew to become the second-largest stock exchange in the world. It is characterized by a high concentration of IT companies, with global tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA choosing NASDAQ for their listings.
) American Stock Exchange###AMEX( - Stage for small and mid-cap stocks
Smaller in scale compared to NYSE and NASDAQ, this exchange mainly trades mid-sized and small companies. As one of the three major U.S. exchanges, it offers various investment opportunities.
Detailed Analysis of U.S. Stock Trading Hours
) Regular Trading Hours - 09:30~16:00 U.S. time
All three exchanges operate during the same hours. They open at 09:30 and close at 16:00 Eastern Time.
Converted to Korea time:
Standard Time###11월~3월(: 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM next day
Daylight Saving Time)3월~11월(: 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM next day
) Pre-market Trading - 04:00~09:30 U.S. time
For investors who want to trade before regular hours.
Converted to Korea time:
Standard Time: 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Daylight Saving Time: 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Pre-market trading involves immediate reactions to earnings reports and can be highly volatile.
After-hours Trading - 16:00~20:00 U.S. time
Trading continues even after the regular session closes.
Converted to Korea time:
Standard Time: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM next day
Daylight Saving Time: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM next day
Trading Regulations and Precautions
All three exchanges trade in U.S. dollars###USD(, and stocks are bought and sold in units of 1 share. Settlement occurs two business days after the trade.
Important difference: No price limit
Unlike Korean markets, U.S. stocks do not have upper or lower price limits. Investors must respond quickly to sharp price movements, and since the U.S. markets are open during Korea’s nighttime, there is a risk of missing market changes. Always keep this in mind.
Item
NYSE
NASDAQ
AMEX
Regular Trading
Eastern 09:30~16:00 Korea 23:30~06:00*
Eastern 09:30~16:00 Korea 23:30~06:00*
Eastern 09:30~16:00 Korea 23:30~06:00*
Pre-market
Eastern 04:00~09:30 Korea 18:00~23:30*
Eastern 04:00~09:30 Korea 18:00~23:30*
Eastern 04:00~09:30 Korea 18:00~23:30*
After-hours
Eastern 16:00~20:00 Korea next day 06:00~10:00*
Eastern 16:00~20:00 Korea next day 06:00~10:00*
Eastern 16:00~20:00 Korea next day 06:00~10:00*
Trading Currency
USD
USD
USD
Trading Unit
1 share
1 share
1 share
Price Limit
None
None
None
Settlement Period
2 business days
2 business days
2 business days
*Daylight Saving Time shifts the hours forward by 1 hour
Complete Schedule of U.S. Stock Market Holidays in 2025
U.S. holidays are completely different from Korea’s. Refer to the list below to plan your trading.
Date
Holiday Reason
Jan 1 (Wed)
New Year’s Day
Jan 9 (Thu)
Memorial for Former President Jimmy Carter
Jan 20 (Mon)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 17 (Mon)
Presidents’ Day
Apr 18 (Fri)
Good Friday
May 26 (Mon)
Memorial Day
Jun 19 (Thu)
Juneteenth Day
Jul 4 (Fri)
Independence Day
Sep 1 (Mon)
Labor Day
Nov 27 (Thu)
Thanksgiving Day
Dec 25 (Thu)
Christmas Day
) Early Close Schedule
In addition to the holidays listed above, the market closes early on certain days.
Date
Reason
Korea Time Close
Jul 3 (Thu)
Day before Independence Day
Next day 2:00 AM
Nov 28 (Fri)
Day after Thanksgiving
Next day 3:00 AM
Dec 24 (Wed)
Christmas Eve
Next day 3:00 AM
Comparison of Trading Hours of Major Global Stock Exchanges
To assist investors who trade in stocks from various countries besides U.S., here is a summary of trading hours of major exchanges.
Exchange
Local Time
Korea Time
Korea Exchange
09:00~15:30
09:00~15:30
Tokyo Stock Exchange
09:00~15:00 (Break 11:30~12:30)
10:00~16:00 (Break 12:30~13:30)
London Stock Exchange
08:00~16:30
17:00~01:30 (Summer Time 16:00~00:30)
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
09:30~16:00 (Break 12:00~13:00)
10:30~17:00 (Break 13:00~14:00)
Shanghai Stock Exchange
09:30~15:00 (Break 11:30~13:00)
10:30~16:00 (Break 12:30~14:00)
Conclusion: Accurate Time Awareness Is the First Step to Successful Investing
To invest successfully in U.S. stocks, understanding the exact trading hours, including holidays, is essential. You must consider the time difference with Korea, the periods of daylight saving time, and all market holidays to optimize your trading timing.
Save this guide to your bookmarks and check it whenever needed. This way, you will avoid missing trading opportunities due to time differences. Since exchange regulations can change, always verify the latest information regularly.
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2025 US Holidays and Stock Market Trading Hours Complete Guide: Real-Time Trading Strategies in Korea Time
Time Zone Settings Every U.S. Stock Investor Must Know
Korean investors trading in the U.S. stock market often make the most mistakes when it comes to calculating trading hours. The time difference between the U.S. and Korea, daylight saving time transitions, and various other factors can make it difficult to accurately determine the actual trading hours. Especially since U.S. market holidays are completely different from Korea’s, trading without a plan can lead to encountering closed markets unexpectedly.
This article provides the regular trading hours of the U.S. stock market, as well as pre-market, after-hours trading, and all U.S. market holidays in 2025, converted into Korea time. By also summarizing the characteristics and trading regulations of the NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX exchanges, you will no longer be confused by the U.S. stock market timetable.
The Three Major U.S. Stock Exchanges and Their Identities
New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) - Traditional exchange focused on blue chips
Founded in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange is the oldest existing securities exchange. It boasts the largest market capitalization in the world, with about 2,400 listed companies and a total market cap exceeding $23 trillion.
Companies listed on the NYSE are mainly long-established large corporations. Globally recognized companies such as Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart are traded on this exchange.
NASDAQ( - The cradle of tech stocks
Established in 1971, NASDAQ initially started as an over-the-counter market but rapidly grew to become the second-largest stock exchange in the world. It is characterized by a high concentration of IT companies, with global tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA choosing NASDAQ for their listings.
) American Stock Exchange###AMEX( - Stage for small and mid-cap stocks
Smaller in scale compared to NYSE and NASDAQ, this exchange mainly trades mid-sized and small companies. As one of the three major U.S. exchanges, it offers various investment opportunities.
Detailed Analysis of U.S. Stock Trading Hours
) Regular Trading Hours - 09:30~16:00 U.S. time
All three exchanges operate during the same hours. They open at 09:30 and close at 16:00 Eastern Time.
Converted to Korea time:
) Pre-market Trading - 04:00~09:30 U.S. time
For investors who want to trade before regular hours.
Converted to Korea time:
Pre-market trading involves immediate reactions to earnings reports and can be highly volatile.
After-hours Trading - 16:00~20:00 U.S. time
Trading continues even after the regular session closes.
Converted to Korea time:
Trading Regulations and Precautions
All three exchanges trade in U.S. dollars###USD(, and stocks are bought and sold in units of 1 share. Settlement occurs two business days after the trade.
Important difference: No price limit
Unlike Korean markets, U.S. stocks do not have upper or lower price limits. Investors must respond quickly to sharp price movements, and since the U.S. markets are open during Korea’s nighttime, there is a risk of missing market changes. Always keep this in mind.
*Daylight Saving Time shifts the hours forward by 1 hour
Complete Schedule of U.S. Stock Market Holidays in 2025
U.S. holidays are completely different from Korea’s. Refer to the list below to plan your trading.
) Early Close Schedule
In addition to the holidays listed above, the market closes early on certain days.
Comparison of Trading Hours of Major Global Stock Exchanges
To assist investors who trade in stocks from various countries besides U.S., here is a summary of trading hours of major exchanges.
Conclusion: Accurate Time Awareness Is the First Step to Successful Investing
To invest successfully in U.S. stocks, understanding the exact trading hours, including holidays, is essential. You must consider the time difference with Korea, the periods of daylight saving time, and all market holidays to optimize your trading timing.
Save this guide to your bookmarks and check it whenever needed. This way, you will avoid missing trading opportunities due to time differences. Since exchange regulations can change, always verify the latest information regularly.