The stock market is closed on Memorial Day

The U.S. stock market — including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ — does not trade on Memorial Day. This is a federal holiday, and all major U.S. exchanges shut down completely. You cannot buy or sell stocks, bonds, or most other securities on that day.

Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May each year. In 2024, that was May 27. In 2025, it will be May 26. If you have a standing order to trade or a deadline that falls on Memorial Day, your transaction will not go through until the market reopens on Tuesday.

Some brokerages offer limited trading in after-hours markets or on international exchanges, but these are not the same as regular market hours and carry different risks and costs. For most investors, Memorial Day means a full market closure.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close entirely on Memorial Day; no regular stock trading occurs.
  • Memorial Day is the last Monday in May, so the market reopens on Tuesday morning.
  • Automatic trades, dividend payments, and other scheduled events may be delayed until the market reopens.
  • Some brokerages offer after-hours or international trading on holidays, but these carry higher costs and wider bid-ask spreads than regular hours.
  • Bond markets, options exchanges, and futures markets also close on Memorial Day alongside stock exchanges.

Which markets close on Memorial Day

All major U.S. equity exchanges close on Memorial Day. This includes the NYSE, NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Options exchanges (CBOE, PHLX, ISE) and futures markets (CME, CBOT) also shut down. The bond market, which trades through FINRA and over-the-counter dealers, is closed as well.

The only trading that may continue is in after-hours electronic communication networks (ECNs) or on foreign exchanges. However, volume is thin, spreads are wide, and you may not be able to execute trades at reasonable prices. Most retail investors should treat Memorial Day as a full market closure.

What happens to your orders and dividends on Memorial Day

Any buy or sell order you place on Memorial Day will not execute until the market reopens on Tuesday morning. If you set a limit order (an order to buy or sell at a specific price), it will remain active and may fill when the market opens — but only if the stock trades at or better than your limit price.

Dividend payments and corporate actions scheduled for Memorial Day are typically processed as if the market were open, so you will still receive dividends on the announced payment date. However, if you are waiting for a dividend to settle into your account, the settlement may be delayed by one business day.

Automatic investment plans (such as 401(k) contributions or recurring purchases) may be delayed. Check with your brokerage about how they handle scheduled transactions on holidays.

Other U.S. stock market holidays

Memorial Day is one of nine days when U.S. stock markets close completely. 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)
  • Good Friday (varies; typically March or April)
  • Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
  • Juneteenth (June 19)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (first Monday in September)
  • Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

On these days, no regular trading occurs on any major U.S. exchange. The market reopens at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the next business day.

Planning around market closures

If you need to trade near a holiday, place your order before the market closes on the last trading day before the closure. For Memorial Day, that means placing orders by the close of business on Friday (the Friday before Memorial Day Monday).

If you are selling a stock to raise cash or buying before a major announcement, do not wait until the day before a holiday. Market conditions can shift over a three-day weekend, and you will have no way to adjust your position.

For long-term investors, market closures are usually not a concern. For active traders or those managing time-sensitive positions, a calendar of market holidays should be part of your planning.

After-hours and international trading on Memorial Day

Some brokerages offer access to after-hours trading or foreign exchanges on U.S. holidays. However, these alternatives come with trade-offs. After-hours markets have much lower volume, wider spreads between bid and ask prices, and less price transparency than regular market hours.

If you trade on a foreign exchange (such as the London Stock Exchange or Tokyo Stock Exchange), you may be able to trade U.S.-listed stocks or ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) on Memorial Day. However, the price may differ from the U.S. market close, and you will pay currency conversion fees if applicable.

For most investors, waiting until Tuesday morning is the simpler and cheaper option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade on Memorial Day if my brokerage is open?

No. Even if your brokerage's website or app is accessible, the actual stock exchanges are closed. Any order you place will not execute until the market reopens on Tuesday. Some brokerages may offer after-hours trading, but this is not the same as regular market trading and carries higher costs.

Will my dividend payment be delayed if it's due on Memorial Day?

No. Dividend payments are processed on the announced payment date regardless of whether the market is open. However, if the payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment may be made on the next business day. Check your brokerage statement or the company's investor relations page for the exact payment date.

What if I need to sell stock urgently on Memorial Day?

You cannot sell during regular market hours. If you have access to after-hours trading through your brokerage, you can attempt to sell, but you should expect a lower price and wider spreads. For most situations, waiting until Tuesday morning is the better choice.

Do international stock markets close on Memorial Day?

No. Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday only. International exchanges in Europe, Asia, and other regions operate on their own holiday calendars. You may be able to trade U.S. stocks on foreign exchanges on Memorial Day, but prices may differ from the U.S. market.

How do I know all the market holidays for the year?

The NYSE and NASDAQ publish their holiday calendars on their websites each year. Most brokerages also display a holiday calendar in their trading platforms. Checking these calendars at the start of the year helps you plan around closures.