Real-time US Stock Market Trading Hours Complete Guide: Key Dates for 2025 and Korea Time Comparison

Essential Trading Hours to Know When Investing in the U.S. Stock Market

For Korean investors investing in U.S. stocks, understanding the precise trading hours is crucial. The U.S. operates under daylight saving time, and due to the time difference with Korea, trading hours are concentrated during nighttime hours in Korea. To follow real-time U.S. stock market conditions effectively, you must clearly understand these time differences to avoid disruptions in your trading plans. This guide summarizes the opening and closing times of the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange, along with 2025 market holidays and key trading regulations at a glance.

Understanding the Three Major U.S. Stock Exchanges

New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) - The Largest Globally

Founded in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange is a historic exchange and currently the largest in the world by market capitalization. About 2,400 companies are listed, with a total market cap of approximately $23 trillion. It mainly trades traditional large-cap companies like Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart.

NASDAQ( - The Tech Hub

Established in 1971, NASDAQ started as an over-the-counter market but quickly grew to be recognized as an official exchange. It is the second-largest exchange by market cap after NYSE, with a focus on IT companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.

) American Stock Exchange###AMEX( - Focus on Mid and Small Caps

One of the three major U.S. exchanges, the American Stock Exchange primarily trades stocks of mid-sized and small companies, contrasting with the large-cap focus of the other exchanges.

Detailed Analysis of Real-Time U.S. Stock Market Trading Hours

) Regular Trading Hours

All three exchanges operate during the same hours. Based on Eastern Time (ET), trading runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, but in Korea, this corresponds to 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM the next day. During daylight saving time### from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November(, the hours shift forward by one hour, making it 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM in Korea.

) Pre-market and After-hours Trading

In addition to regular hours, pre-market### from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM ET (6:00 PM to 11:30 PM Korea) and after-hours( from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET (next day 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM Korea) trading are available.

) Trading Regulations and Precautions

All trading on these exchanges is conducted in U.S. dollars, with settlement completed two business days later. Unlike Korean markets, U.S. markets have no price limit. This means there are no trading halts due to price limits during sharp declines, so thorough trading strategies are essential, especially considering that trading occurs overnight.

2025 U.S. Market Holidays and Early Closings

When devising trading strategies, it’s essential to consider market holidays. The 2025 U.S. stock market holidays are as follows:

) Early Market Closings

In addition to holidays, the market closes early on certain days:

Comparison of Major Global Stock Market Hours

For investors trading across multiple countries, here is a summary of key trading hours:

Checklist for Effective Real-Time U.S. Stock Trading

• Confirm whether daylight saving time is in effect )Trading hours may vary(
• Check for market holidays or early closings in advance
• Develop loss management plans considering overnight trading
• Review earnings release schedules and corporate events
• Consider low liquidity during pre-market and after-hours trading

Accurately understanding and trading U.S. stock market information in real-time is the first step toward successful investing. Since exchange operating hours and holidays can change, always stay updated with the latest information.