The stock market is closed on Juneteenth

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ both close on Juneteenth (June 19th) each year. This is a federal holiday, and the major U.S. stock exchanges treat it the same way they treat other federal holidays — by shutting down for the day. You cannot trade stocks, bonds, or most other securities on Juneteenth, and no market data updates during market hours.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and the stock exchanges began observing it starting in 2022. If Juneteenth falls on a weekend, the exchanges typically observe the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before if it lands on a Saturday, or the Monday after if it lands on a Sunday.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close completely on Juneteenth, so you cannot place trades or see live price updates during regular market hours.
  • If Juneteenth falls on a weekend, the exchanges observe it on the nearest weekday instead.
  • After-hours trading may be available through some brokers, but volume is typically very low and spreads are wider than during regular trading hours.
  • Orders placed before the market closes will not execute until the market reopens the next trading day.

What happens to pending orders when the market is closed

If you place a market order (an order to buy or sell immediately at the current price) before the market closes on Juneteenth, that order will not execute. Instead, it will sit in your brokerage account until the market reopens the next trading day, at which point it will execute at whatever the market price is at that time — not the price you saw when you placed it.

Limit orders (orders to buy or sell only at a specific price you set) also do not execute during the closure. They remain active and will execute the next trading day if the stock reaches your price, but there is no may provide it will. The stock price can move significantly overnight or over a weekend, so your limit order might never fill.

After-hours trading on Juneteenth

Some brokers offer after-hours trading, which allows you to trade stocks outside regular market hours. However, after-hours trading is not the same as regular trading. The volume of shares being bought and sold is much lower, which means the bid-ask spread (the difference between what buyers will pay and what sellers are asking) is wider. You may also have difficulty finding a buyer or seller for the stock you want to trade.

After-hours trading is available through many online brokers, but not all stocks can be traded after hours — typically only stocks listed on the NYSE and NASDAQ are available. Check with your specific broker to see whether they offer after-hours trading and which stocks are available during those times.

Other federal holidays when the stock market closes

Juneteenth is one of nine federal holidays when the U.S. stock exchanges close. The complete list includes New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

The day after Thanksgiving (the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November) is a half-day for the stock market — the exchanges close at 1 p.m. Eastern Time instead of the usual 4 p.m. The same is true for Christmas Eve if it falls on a weekday.

Planning around market closures

If you know you want to buy or sell a stock on or around Juneteenth, place your order before the market closes on the trading day before the holiday. This gives you control over the price you pay or receive, rather than leaving it to chance when the market reopens.

If you are holding a stock and worried about news that might break over the Juneteenth holiday, remember that you cannot sell it during the closure. You can only wait for the market to reopen and sell then. This is one reason some investors keep a portion of their portfolio in cash — it gives them flexibility to act quickly when the market reopens after an unexpected event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade stocks on Juneteenth through my broker?

Regular market trading is not available on Juneteenth because the NYSE and NASDAQ are closed. Some brokers offer after-hours trading, but it has lower volume and wider spreads than regular trading. Check with your broker to see if they offer this option.

What if Juneteenth falls on a Saturday or Sunday?

The stock exchanges observe Juneteenth on the nearest weekday. If it falls on a Saturday, the market typically closes on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the market typically closes on Monday. Your broker should notify you of the exact observance date.

Will my pending order execute overnight on Juneteenth?

No. Market orders and limit orders placed before the market closes will not execute during the closure. They will remain pending and execute the next trading day when the market reopens, at whatever price the stock is trading at that time.

Is the bond market also closed on Juneteenth?

Yes. The bond market, including Treasury securities and corporate bonds, also closes on Juneteenth. Most fixed-income trading halts along with the stock exchanges.