I just checked the schedules of the Spanish stock exchange because I wanted to know exactly what time it closes and I didn't want to fall into the typical confusion. It turns out that the Madrid Stock Exchange opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m., local time. Pretty clear if you think about it.

What I didn't know is that there are actually four stock exchanges in Spain coordinated by the SIBE, but Madrid is by far the most important. Big companies like BBVA, Santander, Inditex are listed there. The IBEX 35 is the index that sums all that up.

If you're interested in trading, it's important to know that there is an opening auction from 8:30 to 9 a.m., and then another closing auction from 5:30 to 5:35. That is, if you want to buy or sell during those times, you have those windows. But the question many ask is what time it exactly closes so they don't get left out, and well, now you know: 5:30 p.m.

Also watch out for holidays because the stock exchange closes several days a year. And if you're from Latin America, the schedules vary quite a bit depending on your time zone. Anyway, if you want to know what time it closes from your country, there are tables that specify it by city. Does anyone else trade on the Spanish stock exchange, or is it just a few?