After-hours trading for most U.S. stocks and ETFs ends at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), Monday through Friday. The standard after-hours session runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, after regular U.S. stock-market trading ends at 4:00 p.m. ET.
U.S. Stock-Market Trading Hours at a Glance
| Trading session | Hours in Eastern Time |
|---|---|
| Regular market hours | 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| After-hours trading | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Premarket trading | Often 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., depending on the broker |
Nasdaq defines post-market trading as the period from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Fidelity also accepts eligible after-hours orders during those hours.
What Time Does After-Hours Trading End in Other U.S. Time Zones?
After-hours trading ends at:
- 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
- 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time
- 7:00 p.m. Central Time
- 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Can You Trade After 8:00 p.m. ET?
Yes, some brokers offer a separate overnight trading session for selected stocks and ETFs. Overnight trading is separate from standard after-hours trading, and the rules depend on the broker, security and trading platform.
Charles Schwab states that its thinkorswim platform can provide extended-hours and overnight access for eligible securities. Its standard after-hours session ends at 8:00 p.m. ET.
NYSE Arca has also published plans for nearly continuous weekday trading. Those plans include a late session ending at 8:00 p.m. ET and a proposed overnight session from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. ET. Access depends on implementation, the trading venue and the security.
What Happens to an Unfilled After-Hours Order at 8:00 p.m.?
An unfilled order may expire or be canceled when the session ends. The result depends on the broker and the order's time-in-force instructions.
Fidelity says after-hours orders that remain unfilled at 8:00 p.m. ET are automatically canceled. Schwab uses different order settings for after-hours, extended-hours and overnight trading, so check the order instructions before submitting it.
What Are the Limitations of After-Hours Trading?
After-hours trading can have lower liquidity, wider bid-ask spreads and more volatile prices than regular market trading. Orders may also receive only a partial fill or no fill.
Other limitations include:
- Fewer available order types
- Less trading activity
- Wider differences between buy and sell prices
- A higher chance of partial or missed fills
Fidelity and Nasdaq warn that extended-hours trading can involve lower liquidity and greater price volatility. Schwab generally accepts limit orders during extended-hours sessions instead of standard market orders.
Check your broker's trading schedule, eligible securities and time-in-force rules before placing an after-hours or overnight order.