The stock market is closed on Veterans Day in the United States

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ both close on Veterans Day, which falls on November 11 each year. When November 11 lands on a weekend, the exchanges observe the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before if it falls on a Saturday, or the Monday after if it falls on a Sunday. No stock trading happens on these days, and market data does not update.

This closure applies to all U.S. stock exchanges and most bond markets. If you have a brokerage account and try to place a trade on Veterans Day, your order will not execute until the market reopens the following trading day. Any pending orders you set before the close may execute the next day depending on the order type and your broker's rules.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close completely on Veterans Day (November 11), and no stock trading occurs on that day.
  • When Veterans Day falls on a weekend, the exchanges observe the holiday on the nearest weekday instead.
  • Orders placed before the market closes will not execute on Veterans Day; they carry over to the next trading day.
  • Futures markets and some international exchanges may have different hours, so check with your broker if you trade outside standard U.S. stock markets.

How the holiday schedule affects your trading calendar

The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) sets the official holiday schedule for U.S. stock exchanges. Veterans Day is one of nine federal holidays when the NYSE and NASDAQ do not operate. The others are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.

If you trade regularly, it helps to mark these dates on your calendar. Markets close at their normal time (usually 4 p.m. Eastern) on the trading day before a holiday, then reopen the following trading day. Some brokers send reminders about upcoming closures, but you can also check the NYSE or NASDAQ websites directly for their annual holiday calendar.

What happens to your orders and positions on market closure days

Any stock you own remains yours during the market closure. Your positions do not disappear, and you do not lose money simply because the market is closed. However, you cannot buy or sell during the closure, and you cannot place new orders that will execute on that day.

If you set a limit order (an order to buy or sell at a specific price) before the market closes, that order stays active. If the stock price reaches your limit during the closure, the order will not execute because no trading is happening. The order will attempt to execute when the market reopens, assuming your broker's system still has it active.

Stop-loss orders and other conditional orders work the same way — they do not trigger during a market closure. This means if major news breaks on Veterans Day that would normally cause a stock to gap up or down at the open, your stop order will not protect you until the market reopens and trading resumes.

Extended trading hours and after-hours markets

The regular stock market closes on Veterans Day, but some brokers offer extended trading through electronic communication networks (ECNs). These after-hours markets operate before the official open and after the official close on regular trading days, but they typically do not operate on federal holidays either.

Futures markets (contracts on indexes, commodities, and currencies) may have different holiday schedules than stock exchanges. Some futures markets close on Veterans Day, while others remain open with reduced volume. If you trade futures or other derivatives, check your broker's specific holiday schedule rather than assuming it matches the stock market.

Planning ahead when Veterans Day falls on a weekday

When November 11 falls on a Monday through Friday, the market closure is straightforward — the exchanges simply do not operate that day. If you need to make trades around Veterans Day, plan to do them on the Friday before or the Monday after, depending on which day the holiday falls on.

If you receive dividend payments or corporate action notifications scheduled for Veterans Day, most brokers process these automatically and credit your account on the next trading day. Check your broker's website or call their customer service line if you are unsure how a specific corporate action will be handled.

Weekend Veterans Day and the observed holiday

When Veterans Day lands on a Saturday, the NYSE and NASDAQ observe the holiday on Friday, November 10. When it lands on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday, November 12. The market closure happens on the observed date, not the actual calendar date.

This matters because some financial news and economic reports are scheduled around the actual holiday date, not the observed date. If you follow market calendars, check whether an event is scheduled for November 11 itself or for the observed trading day. Your broker's holiday calendar will show the actual market closure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade stocks on Veterans Day?

No. The NYSE and NASDAQ are closed on Veterans Day, and no stock trading occurs. If you try to place a trade through your broker, it will not execute until the market reopens the next trading day.

What if I need to sell a stock on Veterans Day?

You cannot sell on Veterans Day itself because the market is closed. If you need to sell urgently, you must wait until the market reopens. If you are concerned about a stock price dropping, you can set a stop-loss order before the market closes on the day before the holiday.

Do I lose money if the market is closed on Veterans Day?

No. Your stock holdings remain yours, and you do not gain or lose money simply because the market is closed. However, if major news breaks on Veterans Day, the stock price may gap up or down when the market reopens, which could affect your position.

Is the bond market also closed on Veterans Day?

Yes. Most U.S. bond markets, including the Treasury market, close on Veterans Day along with the stock exchanges. Some international bond markets may have different schedules.

How do I know the exact market closure dates for the year?

The NYSE and NASDAQ publish their annual holiday calendars on their websites. Your brokerage firm also lists holiday closures in their trading calendar or help section. Checking these sources directly is more reliable than relying on a general calendar.