Financial markets follow public holidays, which can affect when you can trade. Some markets close completely, while others continue trading but with lower activity. Understanding holiday hours helps you plan trades and manage risk.
Why Holiday Hours Matter
Trading during holidays comes with important considerations:
Low Liquidity: Fewer traders can make it harder to enter or exit positions at your desired price.
Wider Spreads: The cost of trading may increase due to lower market activity.
Sudden Price Moves: Thin markets can experience sharper and unexpected price fluctuations.
Being aware of holiday hours helps you plan trades safely and avoid surprises in volatile or quiet markets.
Forex and Commodity Holidays
Forex and most commodities trade globally and are open nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week. A local holiday does not close the entire market. Major global holidays like Christmas Day and New Year’s Day can temporarily halt most trading activity.
Shares & ETFs (Stocks) and Index Holidays
Stock markets in each country close for their national holidays. Some exchanges may also close early on the day before or after a holiday, usually around 1:00 PM ET. Always check the official holiday calendar for the specific market you want to trade.
Cryptocurrency Holidays
Cryptocurrencies are traded 24/7, all year, including holidays. The market never closes. Even though the market is always open, liquidity may drop during major holidays as traders take breaks, which can affect price stability.
