The stock market is closed on Veterans Day

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ are both closed on Veterans Day, which falls on November 11 each year. When Veterans Day lands on a weekend, the markets observe the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before if November 11 is a Saturday, or the Monday after if it is a Sunday. No stock trading takes place on these days, and bond markets close as well.

This closure applies to all U.S. stock exchanges and most brokerage firms. If you have standing orders to buy or sell stocks — such as limit orders or stop-loss orders — they will not execute on Veterans Day. Any orders you place will queue for the next trading day.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYSE and NASDAQ close entirely on Veterans Day (November 11), with no stock trading possible that day.
  • When November 11 falls on a weekend, the markets observe the holiday on the nearest weekday instead.
  • Standing orders placed before the holiday will not execute until the market reopens the following trading day.
  • Options markets and futures markets also close on Veterans Day, though some international exchanges may remain open.

What happens to your orders on Veterans Day

If you have a buy or sell order pending when the market closes for Veterans Day, that order stays in the system and executes when trading resumes the next day — assuming the conditions you set are still met. A limit order to buy 100 shares at $50 will sit until the market opens again; if the stock price is $50 or lower at that point, the order fills.

Stop-loss orders work the same way. They do not trigger during the closure, even if news breaks overnight that would normally cause the stock to move. This means you have no automatic protection against a gap down opening on the day after Veterans Day. If you are concerned about overnight risk, you would need to place a manual order after the market reopens.

Options and futures markets on Veterans Day

Options exchanges close on Veterans Day along with stock exchanges. You cannot trade stock options, index options, or any derivatives on that day. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and other futures exchanges also close for the holiday, so commodity futures and index futures do not trade.

Some international stock exchanges remain open on Veterans Day because it is a U.S. holiday only. If you trade on foreign exchanges or hold positions in international securities, those markets may continue operating. Check with your broker about any international positions you hold.

How to plan ahead for Veterans Day closures

If you know you will want to trade around Veterans Day, place your orders before the market closes on the trading day before the holiday. This gives you time to execute any necessary transactions while the market is open. If you are waiting for specific news or earnings reports that might come out during the closure, plan your strategy in advance rather than trying to react after the market reopens.

Some traders use the day before a market closure to rebalance portfolios or lock in positions they want to hold through the holiday. Others avoid placing new orders close to the closure to reduce the risk of overnight gaps. Your broker's website will show the market holiday calendar, which you can reference to plan your trading schedule.

When the market reopens after Veterans Day

The market reopens at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the next trading day. Volume is often higher than normal on the day after a holiday closure because traders are catching up on orders and reacting to any news that broke while the market was closed. Bid-ask spreads — the difference between what buyers will pay and what sellers will accept — can widen slightly on the reopening day.

If you placed orders before the closure, check your brokerage account as soon as the market opens to confirm whether they filled. If market conditions changed overnight and you no longer want an order to execute, you can cancel it before the opening bell.

Other U.S. market holidays to know

Veterans Day is one of nine days each year when the NYSE and NASDAQ close completely. The full list includes New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When any of these fall on a weekend, the market observes the holiday on the nearest weekday.

The market also closes early — at 1 p.m. Eastern Time — on the day after Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve (if Christmas Eve is a weekday). These early closures affect your ability to trade in the afternoon, so plan accordingly if you have orders to place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade on my phone or computer on Veterans Day?

No. Your brokerage platform will not accept new orders on Veterans Day because the exchanges are closed. You can view your account and see your holdings, but you cannot buy or sell stocks, options, or other securities. Any order you try to place will be rejected or queued for the next trading day.

What if I need to sell stock urgently before Veterans Day?

You must place the sell order before the market closes on the trading day before the holiday. Once the market closes, you cannot trade until it reopens. If you are concerned about a stock you hold, sell it during regular trading hours rather than waiting until the last minute.

Do banks and financial institutions close on Veterans Day too?

Yes. Banks are closed on Veterans Day, so you cannot conduct in-person banking. However, you can still access your online banking account and use ATMs. If you need to deposit checks or handle other banking tasks, do so before the holiday or on the day after it ends.

Will my dividend or interest payment be delayed if it is due on Veterans Day?

No. Dividend and interest payments are processed on their scheduled dates regardless of market closures. If a dividend is due on Veterans Day, you will receive it that day or the next business day, depending on how your brokerage processes payments. The market closure does not affect the payment itself.