When does the trading session start and end on the Madrid Stock Exchange? Complete guide to the schedule

The Madrid Stock Exchange represents the main stock trading center in Spain and serves as the engine of the national markets. For those wishing to participate in trading the most representative securities of the country, it is essential to understand the market’s operating hours, the basis of the renowned IBEX 35 index.

Essential Data on the Madrid Stock Exchange Schedule

In Spain, the SIBE (Spanish Interconnection Stock Market) operates, an infrastructure that coordinates four stock markets simultaneously: Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, and Bilbao. However, the Madrid market concentrates most of the activity and the country’s market capitalization.

Schedule expressed in CEST

Start Time: When do operations begin?

The regular trading day at the Madrid Stock Exchange begins at 9:00 am local time. Prior to that, there is an opening auction period from 8:30 am, during which pending orders from the previous close and new orders sent during that interval are processed. The resulting price from this initial crossing determines the starting point of the session.

Closing of operations: When does the trading day end?

Regular operations conclude at 5:30 pm local time. Subsequently, a brief closing auction period opens, extending until 5:35 pm, allowing the execution of orders that did not find a counterparty during the regular session and establishing a final equilibrium price.

Origin and evolution of the Madrid Stock Exchange

The institution we know today has roots in the 19th century. It was founded on September 10, 1831, following the enactment of the Law for the Creation of the Madrid Stock Exchange, drafted by the Sevillian jurist Pedro Sainz de Andino. Stock trading began on October 20 of the same year, initially involving banking entities, steel companies, and railway companies.

The current system was gradually formed. In 1890, the Bilbao stock exchange was established, followed by Barcelona in 1915. The most recent addition was the Valencia stock exchange in 1980. These four markets were integrated into the SIBE starting in 1995, while the management and administration of the system were transferred to Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME) in 2001.

The IBEX 35 index, which groups the 35 companies with the highest market capitalization in Spain, was launched on January 14, 1992, and has become the main benchmark indicator of the Spanish economy.

Strategic importance for investors

The significance of this market lies in hosting the main Spanish corporate conglomerates, many of which maintain a presence and international projection of considerable magnitude, particularly in Latin American markets. The Madrid market lists some of the world’s leading financial institutions, such as BBVA and Banco Santander; internationally leading construction companies like ACS, Ferrovial, and Acciona; as well as the largest fashion distributor on the continent, Inditex. Knowing the Madrid Stock Exchange schedule is essential for operating without limitations on these securities.

Extended sessions: Pre-market and after-market

The Madrid Stock Exchange offers extended trading periods beyond the regular session. The opening auction (8:30 am to 9:00 am) functions as a pre-market session, receiving residual orders from the previous close and new instructions.

Similarly, the closing auction (5:30 pm to 5:35 pm) operates as an after-market session, allowing position adjustments and establishing equilibrium prices for pending orders.

Suspension calendar: Days without trading in 2025

The Madrid Stock Exchange publishes its trading calendar annually. For 2025, the holidays when trading is not conducted are:

• Wednesday, January 1
• Friday, April 18
• Monday, April 21
• Thursday, May 1
• Thursday, December 25
• Friday, December 26

Additionally, there may be half-day sessions with reduced hours.

Time zone equivalents: How does the Madrid Stock Exchange schedule translate to other cities

For those trading from different time zones in Latin America, it is useful to know the correspondence of opening and closing hours:

This information is crucial for planning operations on the Madrid Stock Exchange from different locations.