^GSPC Today, December 31: Markets Open; Bonds Close Early 2 p.m. ET
Canadian investors asking “is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve” should know U.S. equities trade regular hours on December 31, while the bond market has a 2 p.m. ET early close. All U.S. markets close January 1 and reopen January 2. We outline NYSE New Year’s Eve hours, Nasdaq Dec 31 hours, and the bond market early close, plus what this means for order execution, spreads, and S&P 500 (^GSPC) positioning into the first session of 2026. Times below are Eastern, matching Toronto time.
U.S. market hours around New Year’s
NYSE New Year’s Eve hours and Nasdaq Dec 31 hours are normal: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Liquidity may thin near the close, but stocks remain open the full day. For a detailed U.S. calendar, see this overview from USA Today source. For Canadians, Toronto time equals ET, so your U.S. orders follow the same clock.
The U.S. bond market early close is 2:00 p.m. ET. That is 2:00 p.m. in Toronto and 11:00 a.m. PT in Vancouver. Expect thinner depth and wider spreads in U.S. Treasuries, corporate bonds, and bond ETFs as dealers reduce risk ahead of the close. Consider placing limit orders and avoiding end‑day market orders in fixed income products.
All U.S. markets are closed Wednesday, January 1, for New Year’s Day. Trading resumes Friday, January 2, 2026, the first session of the new year. January 2 is not a federal holiday, so markets operate as normal source. If you ask “is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve,” note only bonds close early.
What this means for Canadians placing U.S. orders
On December 31, midday activity is often steady, but depth can fade into the afternoon. The 2 p.m. ET bond early close can ripple into bond ETFs and rate‑sensitive stocks. Wider spreads can increase costs. If you are asking is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve, remember that price quality may still vary as participation thins.
Use limit orders for U.S. stocks and ETFs, especially late day. Avoid large orders near the final 15 minutes in fixed income ETFs, where pricing can diverge from net asset value. If you need same‑day urgency, target mid‑session windows. Is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve? Yes, but execution quality depends on timing.
Most Canadian brokers convert CAD to USD at trade time, with a visible FX spread. Consider placing U.S. trades when spreads are tight. U.S. equities and ETFs settle T+1, so December 31 trades settle Friday, January 2, 2026. That helps manage year‑end cash planning. Is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve? Yes, but cash settles next business day.
S&P 500 context for end‑of‑year positioning
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) recently hovered near 6,896.25, with a year high at 6,945.77. The 50‑day average sits at 6,795.70 and the 200‑day at 6,274.31. Bollinger Bands span about 6,751.80 to 6,959.10. These levels help frame risk as we ask is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve and plan entries around support and resistance.
RSI is 56.89, a constructive, not overbought, reading. MACD is above its signal (34.24 vs 27.90), while ADX is 14.67, signaling a weak trend. This mix supports a buy‑the‑dip approach near moving averages, with caution into thin holiday tape. Is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve? Yes, but momentum can fade late day.
ATR is 60.08, indicating typical daily swings of about 60 index points. Recent session volume around 3.31 billion compares with a 5.22 billion average, suggesting lighter participation. If you wonder is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve, it is, yet reduced activity can amplify gaps and slippage, especially near the close.
Checklist before the bell and early close
Plan entries between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET for steadier liquidity. Use limits, avoid aggressive market orders late day, and size positions modestly. If you ask is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve, remember that yes, it is, but price quality can vary more than usual in the afternoon.
For U.S. equity ETFs, check underlying markets and indicative values. For bond ETFs, the 2 p.m. ET bond market early close can widen spreads and premiums. Place limit orders and avoid last‑minute trades. If you ask is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve, it is, yet ETF pricing can drift when underlying liquidity fades.
Treasury and corporate bond trading winds down early. If you must adjust duration or credit exposure, act well before 2 p.m. ET. Consider parking cash in short‑duration vehicles on a temporary basis. Is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve? Yes, but fixed income prices can be more fragile near the early close.
Final Thoughts
Here is the bottom line for Canadian investors: U.S. equities run normal hours on December 31, and the U.S. bond market closes at 2 p.m. ET. All U.S. markets are closed January 1 and reopen January 2, 2026. If you ask is the stock market open on New Year’s Eve, the answer is yes for stocks, but execution quality can soften as participation thins. Focus on mid‑session trading, use limit orders, and be careful with bond ETFs into the early close. Plan CAD‑USD conversions when spreads are tight and remember T+1 settlement for U.S. trades executed today. Set alerts around key ^GSPC levels and treat late‑day moves with extra caution.
FAQs
Yes. NYSE New Year’s Eve hours and Nasdaq Dec 31 hours are normal: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Liquidity can thin late day, so consider limit orders and avoid large market orders near the close.
The U.S. bond market early close is 2:00 p.m. ET. Liquidity and dealer depth often decline ahead of the cutoff, which can affect pricing in bond ETFs. Place trades earlier and use limit orders to control slippage.
All U.S. markets are closed on January 1 for New Year’s Day. Markets reopen on January 2, 2026, with regular hours. January 2 is not a federal holiday, so trading resumes as normal.
Trade mid‑session for steadier liquidity, use limit orders, and avoid last‑minute orders in bond ETFs before the 2 p.m. ET early close. Note T+1 settlement, so December 31 trades settle the next U.S. business day.
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.
