After-hours trading for most U.S. stocks starts at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), when regular trading ends. The standard session runs until 8:00 p.m. ET on business days.
| U.S. time zone | After-hours trading starts | Typical end |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 4:00 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
| Central | 3:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mountain | 2:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Pacific | 1:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
Regular Stock Market Hours
The regular trading session for Nasdaq and NYSE-listed stocks runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. After-hours trading starts at the 4:00 p.m. close.
Does Every Broker Offer Trading From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.?
No. Brokers set their own extended-hours schedules and may limit:
- Which stocks are available
- Whether investors can use only limit orders
- When orders can be submitted
- Whether unfilled orders are canceled
- Whether overnight trading is available
Nasdaq lists the standard post-market session as 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, but the schedule can vary by brokerage account. Check your broker's rules before placing an order.
What Is the Difference Between After-Hours and Pre-Market Trading?
Pre-market trading takes place before 9:30 a.m. ET, while after-hours trading takes place after the regular session ends.
- Pre-market trading: generally before 9:30 a.m. ET
- Regular trading: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- After-hours trading: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET
Some brokers also offer overnight trading for selected securities. Overnight access is separate from the standard after-hours session.
What Are the Risks of After-Hours Trading?
After-hours trading usually has less liquidity and more volatility than regular trading. As a result, investors may face wider bid-ask spreads, partial fills, unfilled orders and prices that differ from the next day's opening price.
The official closing price remains the price recorded at 4:00 p.m. ET. After-hours price movements do not change that official close.