The standard after-hours session for most U.S. stocks is 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The regular U.S. stock market closes at 4:00 p.m. ET, which is when after-hours trading begins.
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U.S. Stock Trading Hours at a Glance
| Trading Session | Typical Hours, Eastern Time |
|---|---|
| Pre-market | 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. |
| Regular market | 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| After-hours | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Overnight trading | Varies by broker and security |
Nasdaq defines its post-market session as 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. The NYSE standard late session also runs until 8:00 p.m. ET.
Does Extended-Hours Trading Always End at 8 p.m.?
No. Some brokers offer overnight or 24-hour weekday trading for selected stocks and ETFs. Robinhood's 24 Hour Market operates from Sunday evening through Friday evening for eligible securities. Charles Schwab also offers extended-plus-overnight trading for eligible securities through thinkorswim.
Overnight trading is separate from the standard U.S. after-hours session. It may use alternative trading systems, cover only certain securities, and accept different order types.
What Time Does Extended-Hours Trading End at Major Brokers?
- Fidelity: After-hours orders can be executed from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Unfilled orders are generally canceled at 8:00 p.m.
- Charles Schwab: The standard after-hours session runs until 8:00 p.m. ET. Schwab also offers overnight trading for eligible securities on certain platforms.
- Robinhood: Its regular extended-hours window ends at 8:00 p.m. ET, but eligible securities can continue trading through its 24 Hour Market.
Important Limitations
Extended-hours trading usually has lower liquidity, wider bid-ask spreads, and greater price volatility than regular-session trading. Many brokers also restrict extended-hours orders to limit orders, so a trade may not execute even when the market price reaches your target.
Use 8:00 p.m. ET as the cutoff for standard after-hours trading. If your broker offers overnight or 24/5 access, check its schedule, eligible securities, and order rules.