When Do U.S. Stock Markets Open? A Detailed Guide for Vietnamese Investors

U.S. Stock Market - The Pinnacle of Global Finance

The U.S. stock market accounts for nearly 50% of the total global market value, with a scale reaching up to $30.44 trillion. To compare, this market is five times larger than the Chinese market (6.32 trillion USD) and hundreds of thousands of times larger than the Vietnamese stock market. Currently, the United States has nearly 20 active exchanges, with the top three being NYSE, Nasdaq, and AMEX, boasting enormous market capitalization.

What Time Do U.S. Stock Markets Open? Reference Table for Major Markets

For easy tracking, below is a summary table of the trading hours of the three largest stock exchanges, converted to Vietnam time (Hanoi, GMT +7):

Note that these hours may change seasonally due to daylight saving time in the U.S., from March to November each year.

The Three Main U.S. Stock Exchanges: Differences and Characteristics

( New York Stock Exchange )NYSE###

NYSE is the oldest stock exchange with a history of 228 years, and it also has the largest market capitalization in the world at $30 trillion (in 2018). It lists over 2,400 stocks and financial products, including major economic indices such as Dow Jones, S&P 500, and NYSE Composite. This exchange attracts long-established and highly reputable companies globally.

( Nasdaq Exchange

Nasdaq is the second-largest market capitalization globally after NYSE, with nearly 3,500 listed stocks and financial products, totaling a market value of $10 trillion. A prominent feature of Nasdaq is its focus on technology and engineering companies )Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Twitter…### as well as promising startups. Due to this, Nasdaq tends to have higher volatility compared to NYSE.

( AMEX Exchange

AMEX ranks third in trading volume in the U.S. and pioneered the development of derivative financial instruments. This exchange has created products such as options )1975### and ETFs (1993). Currently, AMEX focuses on small-cap stocks and derivative products with over 8,000 listings. Its trading hours are longer than the other two, from 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM ET, with an average of 253 trading days per year.

Comparison with Other International Stock Markets

For a comprehensive view, here is a comparison table of trading hours of major stock exchanges worldwide:

Looking at this table, it’s clear that the U.S. stock market opens relatively late according to Vietnam time, aligning well with the evening schedules of Southeast Asian investors.

Summer and Winter Trading Hours: Changes in Schedule

Daylight saving time in the U.S. begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. During this period, trading hours shift by 1 hour compared to normal:

This difference is crucial for Vietnamese investors to stay updated and avoid confusion about trading hours.

Holidays and Market Closures

U.S. stock markets close on national holidays, which differ entirely from Vietnam’s holiday schedule. The list of holidays in 2022 includes:

• 01/17 (Monday): Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 02/21 (Monday): Washington’s Birthday
• 04/15 (Friday): Good Friday
• 05/30 (Monday): Memorial Day
• 07/04 (Wednesday): Independence Day
• 09/05 (Monday): Labor Day
• 11/24 (Thursday): Thanksgiving
• 12/26 (Monday): Christmas Day

Investors should note these dates to avoid trading disruptions due to market closures.

Important Tips for Trading U.S. Stocks from Vietnam

There are several points to keep in mind when participating in the U.S. stock market from Vietnam:

Trading Hours Support: Not all brokers in Vietnam support pre-market and after-hours trading. You need to verify the conditions of each broker or trading platform before registering.

Settlement Time: Depending on the account type, settlement (T) varies:

• Hedge account (hedge account): T + 0
• Margin trading account: T + 1
• Cash account: T + 2

Seasonal Adjustments: Mainly from March to November, trading hours shift by 1 hour. Always update this information to avoid confusion.

Support Tools: To manage trading times effectively, you should use electronic economic calendars. Many trading platforms provide real-time updates on major international events, helping you seize opportunities and manage risks better.