2025 US Stock Market Complete Guide: From New York Stock Exchange Trading Hours to Holiday Schedule (Korean Time )

Why Accurate Timing is Essential for U.S. Stock Trading

Domestic investors aiming to invest in U.S. stocks often overlook a crucial aspect: trading hours. The United States is over 14 hours ahead of Korea, and with daylight saving time in effect, not knowing the exact trading times can cause missed investment opportunities. Additionally, unlike the Korean stock market, which has fixed holidays, U.S. markets operate on their own holiday schedule. This article summarizes the major U.S. stock exchanges, regular and after-hours trading times, the complete 2025 holiday calendar, and a comparison with Korean market holidays—all at a glance.

The Big Three U.S. Stock Exchanges: Features and Listed Companies

New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) - The Largest in the World

The New York Stock Exchange was established on May 17, 1792. It boasts the largest market capitalization globally, with about 2,400 listed companies and a total market cap of approximately $23 trillion. It primarily trades large-cap stocks like Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, and Walmart.

NASDAQ( - The Tech Hub

Founded on February 8, 1971, NASDAQ started as an over-the-counter market but quickly grew to become the second-largest stock exchange in the world. It is home to many cutting-edge technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.

) American Stock Exchange###AMEX( - The Small and Mid-cap Market

Relatively smaller than NYSE and NASDAQ, it mainly trades stocks of mid-sized and small companies.

Complete Guide to U.S. Stock Trading Hours for Korean Investors

) Regular Trading Hours vs. After-hours Trading

All three exchanges operate during the same hours:

Regular Trading Hours###Regular Hours(

• Eastern Time: 09:30 ~ 16:00
• Korean Time: 23:30 ~ 06:00 )During Daylight Saving Time: 22:30 ~ 05:00(

Korean investors can trade from evening to early morning.

Pre-market Trading)Pre-market(

• Eastern Time: 04:00 ~ 09:30
• Korean Time: 18:00 ~ 23:30 )During Daylight Saving Time: 17:00 ~ 22:30(

After-market Trading)After-market(

• Eastern Time: 16:00 ~ 20:00
• Korean Time: Next day 06:00 ~ 10:00 )During Daylight Saving Time: 05:00 ~ 09:00(

) Trading Rules and Precautions

All U.S. stock trading is conducted in U.S. dollars (USD) and can be done in units of one share. Settlement occurs T+2 (two business days after the trade).

Important: Unlike the Korean market, U.S. markets have no price limit. This means there are no circuit breakers to protect against rapid declines, so extra caution is required when trading overnight.

Complete 2025 U.S. Market Holidays and Early Close Days

U.S. markets not only close on public holidays but also sometimes close early. Missing these can lead to unexpected trading halts.

Full 2025 Holiday Calendar

) Early Close Days( Early Close at 1 PM ET)

Things to Watch Out for When Comparing with Korean Market Holidays

Even if the Korean stock market is closed, U.S. markets operate normally. For example, on Korean public holidays like March 1st or August 15th, U.S. markets are open as usual. Therefore, investors in Korea need to manage the holiday schedules of both markets separately.

Comparison of Trading Hours of Major Global Exchanges

If you plan to trade on other major markets besides the U.S.:

Checklist for Successful U.S. Stock Trading

✓ Confirm whether daylight saving time is in effect )From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November(
✓ Check the 2025 holiday and early close schedule in advance
✓ Understand the difference between pre-market and regular trading hours
✓ Be aware that there are no price limits, which poses risks
✓ Manage the holiday schedules of Korean and U.S. markets separately

Since the trading hours and holiday schedules of U.S. markets can change annually, always verify official information before trading. Armed with accurate data, you can seize global investment opportunities effectively.