Yes, the stock market is closed on Veterans Day

The U.S. stock market — the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ — closes on Veterans Day, which falls on November 11 each year. When November 11 falls on a weekend, the market observes the holiday on the nearest weekday: Friday if November 11 is a Saturday, or Monday if it is a Sunday.

This means no stocks trade on Veterans Day, bond markets close, and options exchanges do not operate. If you have a trade you want to place, you will need to wait until the market reopens the following trading day. Any orders you submit electronically will sit in your brokerage account until the market opens again.

Veterans Day is one of nine federal holidays when U.S. stock markets close completely. The others are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Key Takeaways

  • The stock market closes entirely on Veterans Day (November 11), with no trading in stocks, bonds, or options.
  • When November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the market observes the holiday on Friday or Monday instead.
  • Orders placed before the market closes will not execute until the next trading day.
  • Futures markets and some international exchanges may operate on Veterans Day, even though U.S. stock exchanges do not.
  • You can still check stock prices and read market news on Veterans Day; you just cannot buy or sell shares.

How the market closure affects your trades

If you place a market order or limit order after the market closes on Veterans Day, your brokerage will hold that order until the market reopens. The order will execute at the opening price the next day if it is a market order, or at your specified price if it is a limit order and that price is reached.

If you use a day order (an order that expires at the end of the trading day), that order will automatically cancel if the market is closed. If you want your order to carry over to the next trading day, you will need to resubmit it or use a good-till-canceled order, which stays active until you cancel it or it fills.

Stop-loss orders and trailing stops also do not execute on a closed market. If a stock gaps down overnight after Veterans Day — meaning it opens significantly lower than it closed — your stop-loss order will trigger at the opening price, which may be lower than your stop price. This is a real risk on any market closure, not just holidays.

When Veterans Day falls on a weekend

The stock market observes Veterans Day on the nearest weekday when November 11 lands on Saturday or Sunday. If Veterans Day is a Saturday, the market closes on Friday, November 10. If Veterans Day is a Sunday, the market closes on Monday, November 12.

Your brokerage and financial news outlets will announce the observed date well in advance. Check your broker's holiday calendar or the NYSE website if you are unsure which day the market will be closed in a given year.

Futures and international markets on Veterans Day

While U.S. stock exchanges close on Veterans Day, some other markets remain open. Futures contracts (such as S&P 500 futures, crude oil futures, and Treasury futures) trade on a limited schedule on Veterans Day, though volume is typically much lower than on regular trading days. Currency markets and some international stock exchanges also operate.

If you trade futures or hold positions in international markets, you can still transact on Veterans Day. However, the reduced volume means wider bid-ask spreads and potentially larger price swings. Most retail investors do not trade futures, so this affects a smaller group.

Planning ahead for market closures

If you know you want to buy or sell a stock around Veterans Day, place your order before the market closes on the last trading day before the holiday. This ensures your trade executes at a price you can see and control, rather than waiting until the market reopens.

If you are holding a stock through a market closure and you are concerned about overnight news or price gaps, consider whether you want to reduce your position before the close. Once the market closes, you cannot trade until it reopens, so any major news that breaks on Veterans Day will affect your position when trading resumes.

Set a calendar reminder for Veterans Day each year, or bookmark your broker's holiday schedule. Most brokerages post their holiday calendar on their website and send email reminders to account holders.

Other federal holidays when markets close

Veterans Day is one of nine days each year when U.S. stock markets close. The full list is New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), Christmas (December 25), and Veterans Day (November 11).

The market also closes early — at 1 p.m. Eastern time instead of 4 p.m. — on the day after Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve (if Christmas Eve falls on a weekday). No other partial closures occur during the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my stocks on Veterans Day?

No. The stock market is completely closed on Veterans Day, so you cannot buy or sell shares. You can place an order through your brokerage, but it will not execute until the market reopens the next trading day.

What if I need to trade on Veterans Day?

You cannot trade stocks, bonds, or options on Veterans Day through U.S. exchanges. If you trade futures or forex, those markets operate on a limited schedule. For most investors, the solution is to place your order before the market closes on the last trading day before the holiday.

Will my broker let me place orders on Veterans Day?

Yes, most brokerages allow you to place orders on Veterans Day through their website or app. The order will sit in your account and execute when the market reopens, usually at the opening price the next day. Check your broker's rules on order types and timing.

Does the bond market close on Veterans Day?

Yes. The bond market, Treasury market, and options exchanges all close on Veterans Day along with the stock market. Municipal bond dealers may operate on a limited basis, but the major bond exchanges do not trade.

How do I know which day the market is closed if Veterans Day is on a weekend?

Check your broker's holiday calendar or visit the NYSE website. The market observes Veterans Day on Friday if November 11 is a Saturday, or on Monday if November 11 is a Sunday. Your broker will send a reminder email before the holiday.