U.S. stock premarket trading is typically available from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET), before the regular market opens. Nasdaq defines its premarket session as 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET.
Premarket Trading Hours at a Glance
| Time zone | Premarket hours |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time | 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. |
| Central Time | 3:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | 2:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | 1:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. |
The regular U.S. stock-market session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
When Can Retail Investors Trade Premarket?
Retail investors can trade premarket only during the hours their brokerage provides. FINRA commonly defines premarket trading as 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET, but brokers set their own access hours, eligible securities and order-type restrictions.
Depending on the broker, customers may be able to trade from:
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET
- 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET
- 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET
Check your broker's extended-hours schedule before placing an order.
What Are the Risks of Premarket Trading?
Premarket trading has several risks:
- Lower liquidity, which can make orders harder to fill.
- Wider bid-ask spreads, which can increase the difference between the buying and selling price.
- Higher volatility, especially after earnings reports or major company announcements.
- Fewer order types, with some brokers accepting only limit orders.
- Different prices across trading venues, because the regular-session National Best Bid and Offer does not apply in the same way during extended hours.
A practical precaution is to check the broker's rules and use a limit order instead of assuming a market order will execute at a predictable price.
What Should You Check Before Trading?
Check your broker's extended-hours schedule, the security's eligibility and the order types available before placing a premarket trade. The exchange may support trading from 4:00 a.m. ET, but your broker may not provide access until 7:00 a.m. ET.