Stock Exchange Hours Across the Globe

In case you haven’t noticed, we live in a global economy. And while many of the world’s largest publicly traded companies are based in the United States, there are countless more that trade on stock exchanges based elsewhere.

Of course, these foreign stock exchanges have their own rules and hours of operation. Understanding when these markets are open can be useful if you ever decide to buy shares of a company based outside the U.S.

Here’s a breakdown of the general stock market hours for the major exchanges around the world, both in local and U.S. time zones, as well as the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Times reflect Eastern Standard Time (not daylight saving time), and it’s important to note that in many countries markets close for lunch. Exchanges may also be closed on different national holidays.

While the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ are two of the most well-known stock exchanges, there are others for investors to consider in Canada and Mexico.

South American countries like Brazil and Argentina boast some sizable, emerging economies and potentially solid investment opportunities.

You can access a significant portion of the world’s wealth by trading on European markets, especially those from heavily developed nations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, Portugal, and France.

Some of the largest countries by population are in the Eastern Hemisphere. That means huge opportunities can be found trading stocks on the exchanges in India, South Korea, Japan, and China. It’s important to note that many of the exchanges in Asia close for lunch every day.

Some of the biggest long-term growth opportunities may come from emerging economies in Africa. Consider getting up early to trade on some of the continent’s largest exchanges.

Investing directly on foreign exchanges is possible simply by setting up a global account on any major online stock broker, such as Fidelity or Charles Schwab. However, investing internationally can be tricky, as you must understand foreign currencies and accept certain costs and tax considerations. Different languages also may add challenges for the investor. 

If you are interested in investing in foreign stocks, there are simpler ways to do it. You can purchase shares of an international mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF), giving you access to a broad set of overseas investments. Some foreign companies also sell shares in the U.S. using something called an American Depository Receipt.

Investors can also get international exposure by purchasing shares of American companies with a big overseas presence. McDonald’s is a good example of a multinational corporation offering access to dozens of markets.