I have been monitoring the US market for a long time, and I realized that many new traders don't even know when the market actually opens. The topic is simpler than it seems, but details are very important.

The US market opens from Monday to Friday at 9:30 AM New York time, and closes at 4:00 PM. But the problem is that real movement doesn't necessarily happen during these hours. Hours before opening and after closing often see strong movements, especially when companies announce their earnings or important economic news is released.

For those in Arab countries, the US market opening varies depending on local time. In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, it's roughly from 5:30 PM to midnight. In Egypt and other countries with GMT+2, it's from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The issue is that this changes periodically due to US daylight saving time.

Another important thing - holidays. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed on certain holidays throughout the year. From 2026 to 2028, there are holidays like New Year’s, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and others. On some days, the market closes early at 1:00 PM instead of 4:00 PM, which significantly affects liquidity and movement.

The most influential factor moving the market is economic data and decisions from the Federal Reserve. FOMC meetings happen several times a year, during which interest rates are decided. These moments change everything. I’ve seen stocks jump 5-7% within minutes when an unexpected Fed decision is announced.

Earnings season is also very important. Major companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia announce their results in January, April, July, and October. The market doesn’t react only to earnings but more to future outlooks. A company might report strong results but lower its guidance, causing its stock to fall.

The best time to trade? The first hour after opening usually has the highest movement. The market absorbs news released before opening, and price gaps are clearly visible. But the problem is that movement can be very fast and reversals sudden, so it’s not suitable for beginners. The last hour before close is also important; institutions are rebalancing their positions, and movement tends to be clearer.

Mid-session is usually quiet, but don’t forget that one news event can change everything at any moment. Non-trading hours between close and open are risky; liquidity is low, volatility is high, and the bid-ask spread widens. For beginners, I recommend only watching during these times and not trading.

The factors that move the market during the session are many – economic data like inflation and employment, company earnings and future guidance, Fed statements, and geopolitical news. Each of these can turn the market upside down.

Regarding strategies, the simplest for beginners is trading with momentum right after opening – focus on stocks that gap clearly at open with high trading volume. Or breakout trading – wait for the stock to break a significant resistance level with strong volume. Quick rebound trading is also an option, but it requires precise timing.

My main advice: don’t enter a trade just because the US market opened. Wait for the first hour to settle down and the picture to become clearer. Check the economic calendar before the session. Use stop-loss seriously. And if you’re a beginner, start with a demo account first.

In summary, understanding the US market opening and its timings is not enough. You need to understand extended sessions, holidays, the best times for activity, and the factors that move prices. All of this helps you read the market better and make smarter decisions.