After-hours trading on ETRADE is available from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, for eligible securities and subject to market holidays. ETRADE calls this the After-Market Session.
Verification date:
| E*TRADE trading session | Hours, Eastern Time |
|---|---|
| Regular market | 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| After-hours trading | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Overnight trading | Available for certain securities under separate rules |
What Can You Trade After Hours on E*TRADE?
E*TRADE allows extended-hours orders for many listed stocks and ETFs. Eligibility depends on the security, so a stock or ETF available during regular market hours may not be available during the After-Market Session.
E*TRADE also offers overnight trading for a limited selection of ETFs, including SPY, QQQ, DIA, GLD and IWM. Overnight trading has separate restrictions and risks from standard after-hours trading.
What Order Types Does E*TRADE Accept After Hours?
E*TRADE generally accepts limit orders only during extended-hours trading. It does not accept market orders during these sessions. Extended-hours orders are also generally day orders, so an unfilled order expires when that trading session ends.
A limit order sets the highest price you will pay when buying or the lowest price you will accept when selling. This can help control the execution price when trading activity is lower and bid-ask spreads are wider.
Can an After-Hours Order Fail to Execute?
Yes. An E*TRADE after-hours order may:
- Fill only partially
- Receive no execution
- Fill at a less favorable price than expected
- Face a wider bid-ask spread than it would during regular market hours
After-hours trading typically has fewer buyers and sellers than the regular session. Prices can also move sharply when a company releases earnings, guidance or other news after the market closes.
Does E*TRADE Charge a Separate After-Hours Trading Fee?
ETRADE lists online commissions of $0 for U.S. exchange-listed stocks and ETFs, although other fees may apply. Directed trades through ETRADE Pro may have a separate per-share fee. Options, OTC securities and other transactions can have different charges.
How to Trade After Hours on E*TRADE
- Open the stock or ETF's trade ticket on E*TRADE.
- Confirm that the security is eligible for extended-hours trading.
- Select an extended-hours or "EXT" trading duration, if available.
- Enter a limit price and quantity.
- Review and submit the order.
E*TRADE supports extended-hours order entry through its trading platforms and mobile platform.
Bottom Line
E*TRADE's After-Market Session runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET on weekdays. You generally need a limit order, and the order may not fill because after-hours trading has lower liquidity and wider spreads.
Regular market hours are usually the better choice when execution matters. After-hours trading can be useful when you need to respond to company news released after the close, but the trade may take longer to fill or may not fill at all.