In this page we will take a look at the US stock market, covering stock news, hours, holiday hours and everything else you need to know. This information is essential whether you’re a US investor or you’re based overseas. These are the biggest markets in the world listing the biggest companies in the world, so everyone wants a piece of them.
On this page we will answer all of the following questions:
- Is the US Stock Market Open Today?
- What Are the US Stock Market Opening Hours?
- What Are the US Stock Market Indexes?
- How Can I Invest in the US Stock Market?
- Where Can I Find US Stock Market Updates?
US Stock Market
The US stock market is the biggest in the world, trading with a combined market capitalization of nearly $30 trillion. This means that, together, the two US stock exchanges have more than three times the value of the LSE, which is the UK stock market. The two US stock markets are the NYSE and the NASDAQ. The former is the biggest, with a market cap of close to $20 trillion. This far outweighs the $6 trillion cap for the NASDAQ.
Individually, these two markets are ranked as the number 1 and number 2 richest stock markets in the world. The NASDAQ is only slightly ahead of the LSE in third, but the NYSE is clear at the top by a long way. Below these are the Japan Stock Market and the China Stock Market.
US Stock Market News
Here on Buy Shares In we try to help out where we can when it comes to investing. However, we can’t compete with the bigger sites where US stock market news is concerned. So, if you want guides and tutorials; if you want everything explained in a way that is easy to understand and digest, then by all means stick with us.
If it’s up-to-the-minute news you’re after, then we’re not the best bet. For US stock market news, you should stick with the following sites instead. These are all updated several times a day and even an hour. If something happens, you’ll hear about it here:
How to Buy Shares in the US Stock Exchange
If you want to buy shares in US stock exchange companies then you first need to get yourself a broker. They will serve as your link to the stock market. If you’re in the United States, then it’s fairly easy. Just choose between the NYSE and the NASDAQ (click the links to read more details on both of these markets), choose your company and then initiate the purchase.
For this you will either need to be in direct contact with a broker, a company, or a share trading service. For more details on this, see our Online Trading page. If you live outside of the United States and you want to invest in either of these markets then it is a little more complicated.
For instance, if you live in the United Kingdom then investing in the London Stock Exchange is as easy as signing up to a share trading program, inputting your bank details and then making your purchases. But if you want to invest in the US stock markets then you need to go through several validation checks, which can be quite complicated and time consuming. The process of purchasing each share can also take longer and cost more in commission.
US Stock Market Index
There are several US stock market indices. These essentially compile several stocks into one market, and allow you to bet on the success or the failure of that market. These include the NASDAQ Composite; the Dow Jones; and the S&P 500.
These indexes are a reflection of the US stock market and the US financial sector on the whole. If they are performing well then it means things are looking up. Conversely, if they are performing poorly then it means the economy is facing difficult times. Of course, minor fluctuations are common and rarely mean anything.
US Stock Market Hours
The US stock market hours are the same for both of the stock exchanges:
- NYSE: Opens at 9:30am EST/EDT; Closes at 4:00pm EST/EDT
- NASDAQ: Opens at 9:30am EST/EDT; Closes at 4:00pm EST/EDT
As is so often the case, these times only apply from Monday to Friday. The US stock markets are closed during the weekends.
US Stock Market Holiday Hours
US stock market holiday hours are also the same for both of these US stock exchanges. Both the NYSE and the NASDAQ are closed on the following days:
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King, JR. Day
- Washington’s Birthday
- Good Friday
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
US Stock Market Today
As mentioned under the US Stock Market News section, there are several sites out there that are updated constantly. These sites should be bookmarked and checked regularly if you want to stay up to date with US stock market news today. There are also a number of share trading apps, news apps and more that can help to simplify things even more.
The best places to begin when looking for information on US stock market news is with the following official sites: