The stock market is closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ both close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday in January. This means you cannot buy or sell stocks, bonds, or most other securities on that day. The closure applies to all U.S. stock exchanges and most brokerages.

If you place an order to buy or sell on MLK Day, it will not execute until the market reopens the following Tuesday. Some brokerages allow you to place orders while the market is closed, but those orders sit in a queue and process at the market open the next trading day.

Futures markets and some cryptocurrency exchanges operate on different schedules, so they may trade while the stock market is closed. If you trade in those markets, check your specific broker's holiday calendar.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday in January each year.
  • Orders placed on MLK Day will not execute until the market reopens on Tuesday.
  • Bond markets, options exchanges, and most mutual fund platforms also close on this federal holiday.
  • Futures and cryptocurrency markets may remain open, so verify your broker's specific holiday schedule.

Which markets close and which stay open

The major U.S. stock exchanges—NYSE and NASDAQ—close completely on MLK Day. This also means the options markets close, since they depend on the underlying stock market. Mutual fund trades, which normally settle at the end of the trading day, do not process on MLK Day either.

The bond market (Treasury securities, corporate bonds, municipal bonds) also closes on MLK Day. If you hold bonds or bond funds, you cannot trade them that day. Most banks close their trading desks as well.

Futures markets (S&P 500 futures, crude oil, gold, etc.) typically remain open on MLK Day, though with reduced volume and wider bid-ask spreads. Cryptocurrency exchanges operate 24/7 regardless of U.S. holidays. If you trade either of these, your broker should specify their holiday hours on their website or in your account settings.

How to plan around the MLK Day closure

If you need to buy or sell stocks before the market closes for MLK Day, place your order before the market closes on Friday (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time). Orders placed after that time will queue until Tuesday's open.

If you receive a dividend or interest payment scheduled for MLK Day, most brokerages will deposit it into your account on that day even though markets are closed. The payment itself is not affected by the market closure—only your ability to trade.

For automatic investments (like contributions to a 401(k) or recurring stock purchases), check with your plan administrator or broker. Many plans continue contributions on MLK Day but execute the trades on Tuesday at Tuesday's opening price. Some plans skip the day entirely and resume on Tuesday.

What happens to your portfolio on MLK Day

Your holdings do not disappear or change value on MLK Day just because markets are closed. The value of your stocks, bonds, and funds remains the same. You simply cannot trade them that day.

If you use a brokerage app or website on MLK Day, you will likely see prices frozen at Friday's close. Some brokerages show futures prices or international market prices as a reference, but these are not the official prices for U.S. stocks.

If you have set price alerts or stop-loss orders, they do not trigger on MLK Day. Those orders only monitor prices during regular market hours. If a stock gaps up or down significantly when the market reopens on Tuesday, your stop-loss order could execute at a very different price than you expected.

International markets and after-hours trading

International stock exchanges operate on their own holiday calendars. Markets in Europe and Asia may be open when the U.S. market is closed for MLK Day. However, you cannot trade U.S. stocks on foreign exchanges during U.S. market hours—only during the official NYSE and NASDAQ sessions.

Some brokerages offer extended-hours trading (pre-market and after-hours sessions) on regular trading days, but these sessions also close on MLK Day. Extended-hours trading is not available on federal holidays.

Planning your trading calendar

MLK Day falls on a different date each year because it is observed on the third Monday in January. Mark your calendar for the specific date so you do not miss the Friday deadline for trades. The NYSE publishes its full holiday calendar each year on its website, which includes MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

If you trade frequently or rely on regular buy or sell orders, set a reminder for the Friday before MLK Day. This prevents you from assuming your order went through when it actually queued for Tuesday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my stocks on MLK Day if I need the money?

No. The stock market is closed, so you cannot sell. If you place a sell order on MLK Day, it will execute on Tuesday at Tuesday's opening price or later, depending on market conditions. If you need cash urgently, contact your broker about other options like margin loans or transferring settled cash from previous sales.

What if I forget and place an order on MLK Day?

Your order will sit in your broker's system and execute when the market opens on Tuesday. Most brokerages show you a warning or confirmation that your order is queued for the next trading day. Check your account on Tuesday morning to confirm the order went through at the price you expected.

Do 401(k) contributions still go in on MLK Day?

Contributions are usually deducted from your paycheck on schedule, but the actual stock or fund purchases happen on Tuesday. Some plans skip the day and resume contributions on Tuesday. Check your plan documents or call your plan administrator to confirm how your specific plan handles federal holidays.

Are bond markets really closed on MLK Day?

Yes. Treasury markets, corporate bond markets, and municipal bond markets all close on MLK Day. If you hold bonds or bond funds, you cannot trade them that day. The bond market reopens on Tuesday with regular hours.

Can I trade cryptocurrency or futures on MLK Day?

Cryptocurrency exchanges operate 24/7 regardless of U.S. holidays. Futures markets typically remain open on MLK Day but with lower volume and wider spreads. Check your specific broker's holiday schedule to confirm their hours, as some brokerages may have reduced staffing or limited services on federal holidays.