^GSPC Today, December 31: Stocks Open; First 2026 Session Jan 2
Is the stock market open onNew Year’s Eve? Yes. U.S. stock exchanges operate regular hours today, Wednesday, December 31. The NYSE and Nasdaq trade to 4 p.m. ET, while U.S. bond markets close early at 2 p.m. ET. All markets close on New Year’s Day. Equities resume Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. We highlight stock market hours New Year’s Eve, the bond market early close, and planning points for liquidity, hedges, and settlements around the first 2026 session.
Today’s Trading Hours: Equities vs. Bonds
U.S. equities trade on a regular schedule to 4 p.m. ET today. That includes the S&P 500 (^GSPC), Nasdaq 100 (^NDX), and Dow (^DJI). Expect typical closing auction dynamics into 4 p.m. ET. Many funds rebalance at month and year end, which can lift closing volume. Place limit orders if you want price control into the bell.
The U.S. bond market observes an early close at 2 p.m. ET. Trading desks for Treasuries, corporates, and munis often scale risk after midday, so depth can thin and bid ask spreads can widen. If you need fixed income liquidity, aim to execute before noon. Marking portfolios should reflect the early close, which can affect pricing and end of day valuations.
Holiday Closures and the First 2026 Session
All U.S. markets are closed Thursday, January 1, under the NYSE holiday schedule 2026. That includes stocks, options, and bonds. Retail investors can confirm year end hours and closures here for additional context from a national outlet source.
Equities reopen Friday on regular hours. Liquidity often normalizes after the open, but first prints can be volatile as funds reposition for the new year. Is the stock market open onNew Friday? Yes, with standard trading and the closing auction at 4 p.m. ET. Jan. 2 is not a federal holiday, as reflected in coverage here source.
Orders, Hedges, and Settlement Planning
Plan equity and ETF trades earlier in the afternoon if you need size, and use limits to manage slippage. For options, check spreads near the close, as quotes can widen when underlying bonds shut at 2 p.m. ET. Rebalance hedges before the fixed income cutoff so your portfolio beta and duration targets remain aligned overnight.
Trades executed today move to the next business day for settlement. With markets closed on Thursday, cash and positions typically post on Friday’s open date. If you are raising cash for withdrawals or funding buys, account for the one business day settlement and the bond market early close when timing transfers and allocations.
Final Thoughts
Here is the bottom line for today. U.S. stocks trade normal hours to 4 p.m. ET. U.S. bonds close early at 2 p.m. ET. All markets close on New Year’s Day, and the first 2026 equity session is Friday, Jan. 2, on a regular schedule. Focus on execution quality: use limit orders, avoid thin liquidity late in the bond session, and rebalance hedges before 2 p.m. ET. If you need funds available Friday, complete today’s trades early so settlements and cash movements post on time for the new year’s first bell.
FAQs
Yes. The NYSE and Nasdaq operate on regular hours to 4 p.m. ET. Closing auction volume can be elevated due to month and year end flows. Use limit orders for tighter control into the bell when stock market hours New Year’s Eve concentrate activity.
The U.S. bond market observes an early close at 2 p.m. ET. Liquidity often fades after midday. If you need to trade Treasuries, corporates, or munis, try to execute before noon to reduce slippage during the bond market early close window.
No. Markets are closed on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, but reopen Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 on regular hours. This aligns with the NYSE holiday schedule 2026 and typical U.S. practice for the first trading day after a federal holiday.
Trades completed today typically settle on the next business day, which is Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, since markets are closed on Thursday. Plan cash needs and reallocations with that timing to ensure funds and positions are available for the first 2026 session.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
