2026 US Stock Market Trading Calendar Complete Guide: Market Holidays, Opening Hours, and Taiwan Time Difference

I. Overview of U.S. Stock Market Holidays in 2026

For Taiwanese investors, understanding the U.S. stock market holiday schedule is the first step to avoiding losses. In 2026, the U.S. stock market will be closed or close early on the following public holidays:

Complete Holiday List:

| Date | Holiday | Trading Status | |------|---------|----------------| | January 1 | New Year's Day | Closed all day | | January 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Closed all day | | February 16 | Washington's Birthday | Closed all day | | April 3 | Good Friday | Closed all day | | May 25 | Memorial Day | Closed all day | | June 19 | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Closed all day | | July 3 | Independence Eve (July 4 falls on Saturday) | Closed all day | | September 7 | Labor Day | Closed all day | | November 26 | Thanksgiving Day | Closed all day | | November 27 | Day after Thanksgiving | Closes 3 hours early | | December 24 | Christmas Eve | Closes 3 hours early | | December 25 | Christmas Day | Closed all day |

Key Tip: Some U.S. stock market holidays are not full-day closures but early closes (November 27 and December 24), so investors should pay special attention.

II. U.S. Stock Market Opening and Closing Times in 2026

Real-time time difference adjustment

The U.S. entered daylight saving time at 2:00 AM on November 2, 2025. During daylight saving time, regular trading hours are 22:30 to 5:00 the next day (Taiwan time).

Since the U.S. observes daylight saving time while Asia does not, Taiwanese investors need to stay updated on time difference changes:

• Daylight Saving Time (Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November): U.S. market opens at 21:30~4:00 Taiwan time
• Standard Time (First Sunday in November to Second Sunday in March): U.S. market opens at 22:30~5:00 Taiwan time

Trading hours by segment (Eastern Time in the U.S.)

| Trading Session | U.S. Time | Taiwan Time (Standard Time) | |-----------------|-----------|------------------------------| | Pre-market | 4:00~9:30 | 17:00~22:30 | | Regular | 9:30~16:00 | 22:30~5:00 | | After-hours | 16:00~20:00 | 5:00~9:00 |

Investment Tip: The most liquid trading occurs during regular hours. Taiwanese investors can utilize the time from 22:30 to 5:00 the next day for trading.

III. How Major U.S. Stock Exchanges Operate

Unlike Taiwan’s stock market, the U.S. has three independent exchanges, each operating separately. While opening and closing times are synchronized, trading rules and listed stock types differ:

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

The world’s largest stock exchange, listing over 3,500 stocks, operates in both traditional floor trading and electronic trading modes. Institutional block trades are mainly conducted here.

NASDAQ Stock Market

The world’s first all-electronic stock exchange, primarily listing high-tech companies (e.g., Microsoft, Apple). Investors trade directly via phone or internet.

NYSE American (formerly AMEX)

The third-largest U.S. trading platform, specializing in small- and mid-cap stocks. It is the only exchange offering stocks, futures, and derivatives trading. Merged with NYSE in 2008 and renamed NYSE American.

IV. Basic U.S. Stock Trading Rules

• Trading Days: Monday to Friday (excluding U.S. public holidays)
• Trading Currency: USD
• Trading Unit: 1 share
• Settlement Period: T+3
• Commission Fees: 1% for manual trading; 0.5~1% for electronic trading

V. Major Global Stock Market Trading Hours (Taiwan Time)

Besides U.S. stocks, Taiwanese investors can also monitor other major markets:

| Exchange | Trading Hours | Taiwan Local Time | |----------|----------------|-------------------| | China Securities Exchange | 9:30~11:30, 13:00~15:00 | 9:30~11:30, 13:00~15:00 | | Tokyo Stock Exchange (Japan) | 9:00~11:30, 12:30~15:00 | 8:00~10:30, 11:30~14:00 | | London Stock Exchange (UK) | 8:00~16:30 | 16:00~00:30 | | Hong Kong Exchanges | 9:15~16:00 | 9:15~16:00 | | Toronto Stock Exchange | 9:30~16:00 | 22:30~05:00 | | Deutsche Börse (Germany) | 8:00~22:00 | 15:00~5:00 | | Australian Securities Exchange | 10:00~16:00 | 8:00~14:00 |

Accurately understanding the U.S. stock market holiday schedule and time differences in 2026 will help Taiwanese investors plan their trading strategies and avoid blind trading during non-trading hours.