When trading U.S. stocks, the biggest confusion is really about timing. Trading at night, markets closing in the early morning, and completely different from Korea's stock market hours makes it hard to plan.

First, to cover the basics, both the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and AMEX all open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. In Korean time, that’s from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. During daylight saving time, it shifts one hour earlier. Additionally, there are pre-market hours (4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) and after-hours (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.), so keep that in mind.

The key point is that the U.S. stock market hours almost don’t overlap with Korea’s market hours. Korea’s market opens at 9 a.m., when the U.S. market is closed. Conversely, when the U.S. market is open at night, Korea is in daytime.

Holidays are also important. As of 2026, markets are completely closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19), Presidents’ Day (February 16), Good Friday (April 3), Memorial Day (May 25), Juneteenth (June 19), the day before Independence Day, Labor Day (September 7), Thanksgiving (November 26), and Christmas (December 25). Additionally, early closures happen on the day before Independence Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve, closing at 1 p.m. (which is 2 a.m. Korea time the next day).

Considering Korea’s market hours, night trading is essential for U.S. stock trading. When Korea’s market opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 3:30 p.m., the U.S. market is in the middle of the night. Since regular trading hours are from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., you need to plan according to your sleep pattern and trading goals.

It’s also important to understand trading regulations. All trades are conducted in U.S. dollars, with settlement completed two business days later. Unlike Korea, there are no price limit restrictions, so sudden drops during night trading can be hard to respond to quickly.

For those trading in multiple countries’ markets, here’s a quick overview: The Tokyo Stock Exchange operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Korean time 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), London from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Korean time 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. the next day, adjusted for daylight saving), Hong Kong from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Korean time 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break from noon to 1 p.m.), and Shanghai from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Korean time 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a break from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Since these markets have different time zones compared to Korea, knowing each market’s hours precisely is essential for building a global portfolio.

In conclusion, trading U.S. stocks is half about time management. Since night trading is the norm, unlike Korea’s daytime hours, it’s crucial to develop strategies suited to your lifestyle and always stay updated on holiday schedules.