are stocks closed on good friday? US market guide
Are Stocks Closed on Good Friday?
are stocks closed on good friday is a common question ahead of the spring holiday season. In short: major U.S. equity exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq routinely close on Good Friday; many fixed-income venues follow suit or observe limited hours. This article explains what that closure means for equities, bonds, options, clearing and settlement, and how traders and investors should prepare. It also covers exceptions, international differences, and reliable sources to check each year.
Short answer and key facts
Short answer: yes — in the United States, most major stock exchanges are closed on Good Friday. Bond markets and many derivative venues either close or adopt modified hours. Cryptocurrency markets remain active around the clock and are unaffected by traditional exchange holidays.
- Major U.S. equity exchanges (NYSE, Nasdaq and many regional exchanges): closed on Good Friday per published holiday calendars.
- Fixed-income markets: SIFMA guidance is followed widely; U.S. Treasury and many interdealer markets are closed or have shortened sessions.
- Options and ETFs: when underlying exchanges are closed, options trading on those listings is generally not available; some electronic derivative venues follow the same holiday schedule.
- Clearing and settlement: clearinghouses and bank operations often have limited hours, affecting settlement cycles and funds movement.
- Cryptocurrencies: trade 24/7 and are unaffected by Good Friday closures.
Background and legal status
Good Friday is a Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a religious holiday rather than a federal public holiday in the United States. Despite that, many financial markets historically observe Good Friday as a holiday. Exchanges publish annual holiday calendars listing observed days and any special hours; these calendars are the authoritative source for day-to-day trading schedules.
Exchanges and market participants choose to observe Good Friday for practical and historical reasons: lower expected trading volumes, logistical convenience for member firms and clearing banks, and continuity with international markets that also observe the day. Although the federal government does not universally close, the financial industry often coordinates around these market schedules to reduce operational risk.
Which U.S. markets and instruments are affected
Equity exchanges (NYSE, Nasdaq, regional exchanges)
Major U.S. equity exchanges typically list Good Friday on their holiday calendars as a full holiday. That means normal trading sessions do not open, regular orders do not execute on-exchange, and listed securities do not trade on those primary venues for that day. Exchange holiday calendars are published annually and confirmed in advance — market participants should consult each exchange’s official schedule for the exact observance date in a given year.
Fixed-income / bond markets
U.S. fixed-income markets, including many interdealer and Treasury trading desks, generally follow industry guidance (for example, SIFMA’s published holiday schedule). On Good Friday, U.S. Treasury trading and many broker-dealer desks are often closed or run shortened operations. That can reduce liquidity in cash bonds and related products and affect pricing and execution availability.
Options, ETFs, and other derivatives
Options exchanges and most derivative venues coordinate around the underlying equity exchange schedules. When the primary equity exchanges are closed, listed options and many ETF trading activities are typically unavailable on that day. Some derivatives platforms that support international or OTC-style trading may have different hours, so verify venue-specific calendars for instruments that trade off-exchange.
Clearing, settlement, and banking operations
Clearinghouses, custodians and banks may have limited staffing or be closed on Good Friday. That affects settlement cycles (T+1 / T+2), funds availability and the processing of corporate actions. While some automated back-office processes continue, manual interventions are less available, so end-of-day activities and instructions submitted on a holiday may be queued until the next open business day.
Exchange-specific policies and examples
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
The NYSE publishes an annual holiday calendar that typically lists Good Friday as a holiday. On observed Good Friday dates, the exchange does not open for regular trading hours and many exchange services are unavailable. Participants should rely on the NYSE calendar for year-specific observance and any special or unscheduled changes.
Nasdaq
Nasdaq also lists Good Friday on its official trading schedule in most years and notes any adjusted system or administrative hours. Nasdaq’s published calendar and NasdaqTrader announcements are the primary sources to confirm whether Nasdaq will be closed or operating under modified hours in a given year.
SIFMA and industry guidance
SIFMA publishes an industry holiday schedule that many broker-dealers and fixed-income desks use as a reference. SIFMA’s schedule often aligns with equity exchange holidays and gives guidance for bond desk operations and settlement windows. When SIFMA lists Good Friday as an industry holiday, many fixed-income and interdealer activities follow that guidance.
International practices and differences
Observance of Good Friday varies globally. Many markets in Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and parts of the Asia-Pacific region also observe Good Friday as a public or market holiday. That said, practices differ: some exchanges close entirely, some run shortened hours, and others remain open. Always check the calendar for the specific exchange or country.
Example differences:
- Some European exchanges close on Good Friday, though the exact scope varies by country.
- Canada commonly observes Good Friday as a market holiday.
- In some Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, Good Friday is not observed as a market holiday.
Practical implications for traders and investors
Knowing whether markets are closed on Good Friday helps manage execution risk and avoids surprises. Key practical implications include:
- Order execution: Limit and market orders on closed exchanges will not execute until the venue reopens. Orders may be canceled or held per broker-dealer rules.
- Liquidity and price discovery: Reduced liquidity around holidays can widen spreads and increase transaction costs on adjacent trading days.
- Settlement timing: Settlement dates shift if a business day falls on a holiday. Corporate actions, dividend payments and records dates may be impacted.
- Margin and risk: Margin calls and risk calculations may be affected if positions cannot be closed due to market closure; check your broker’s policies.
Workarounds and exceptions
After-hours / pre-market trading
When primary exchanges are closed, standard pre-market and after-hours sessions tied to those exchanges typically do not operate. Some electronic or OTC venues might offer trading in certain securities, but liquidity, execution quality and regulatory protections can differ. Traders should confirm whether their broker offers any off-exchange trading during holidays and understand the execution risks.
Cryptocurrency markets
Cryptocurrency exchanges and on-chain markets operate 24/7, including Good Friday. If you need to trade or rebalance a portfolio on a holiday, crypto markets provide continuous access. When referencing crypto infrastructure, consider using Bitget for spot and derivatives trading and Bitget Wallet for custody and on-chain asset management. Bitget’s services remain available even when traditional markets are closed.
Broker policies and customer service
Individual broker-dealers set their own support hours and order-handling rules on exchange holidays. Some firms offer limited operational support, while others may close customer service desks. Check your broker’s holiday notice for details about order acceptance, margin calls and how they process instructions received on holiday dates.
How to check whether markets are closed in a given year
Because observance can change year to year, always confirm using the authoritative calendars and notices below. Steps to check:
- Consult exchange calendars: the NYSE holiday calendar and Nasdaq’s trading schedule list holidays and any special hours for the current year.
- Check industry guidance: SIFMA publishes an annual holiday schedule used by many fixed-income desks.
- Review official notices: exchanges and clearinghouses issue operational notices or circulars for ad-hoc closures or system changes.
- Contact your broker or custodian to confirm order-handling and settlement implications.
Authoritative sources include official exchange calendars and investor resource sites. Because calendars can be updated, verify the calendar for the specific year prior to making trade decisions.
History and evolution of Good Friday observance by markets
Good Friday has been observed by many U.S. exchanges for decades, driven largely by tradition and low anticipated trading volume on the holiday. Over time, industry coordination with clearinghouses and banks has reinforced the practice. While there have been occasional debates about modernizing holiday schedules, the convention remains widely followed. Exchanges publish calendars well ahead of each year so participants can plan operationally.
Practical checklist before Good Friday
- Verify the current-year holiday on the exchange calendar.
- Confirm broker-dealer order and margin policies for holidays.
- Plan settlements and corporate action timelines around the holiday.
- If you require market access on the holiday, consider crypto or OTC options, keeping in mind differences in liquidity and protections.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Good Friday a federal holiday?
No. Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the United States. However, many financial markets observe it as a holiday and close exchanges and desks for trading.
Are bond markets closed on Good Friday?
Many U.S. fixed-income markets are closed or have reduced hours on Good Friday. Industry schedules such as SIFMA’s are commonly used as a reference for bond market operating hours.
Will dividends or corporate actions be affected?
Corporate action processing and dividend payments can be impacted by holidays. Record dates, ex-dividend days and payment dates are determined by issuers and transfer agents; however, settlement and processing services may be limited on holidays. Check issuer notices and your broker’s guidance for specifics.
Are there exceptions for electronic trading?
Some electronic venues and OTC platforms can operate when primary exchanges are closed, but trading may be limited to specific instruments and liquidity is often lower. Verify with your trading venue or broker whether they support holiday sessions.
Market context and recent data (timing and relevance)
As part of broader market context, economic releases and market sentiment around a given holiday can affect positioning. For example, as of January 10, 2026, according to a market report summarizing Bureau of Labor Statistics data and market reactions, December nonfarm payrolls rose by a seasonally adjusted 50,000 — below consensus — while the unemployment rate improved to 4.4%. Such macro data can influence trading ahead of holiday periods when liquidity is thinner. Market participants should factor in both the holiday schedule and any relevant macro releases when planning trades.
Reporting date reference: As of January 10, 2026, according to Barchart and a January 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics release. Sources reported quantifiable indicators including the December nonfarm payroll change (+50,000) and the unemployment rate (4.4%), which market participants used in positioning ahead of holiday sessions.
How traders historically behave around Good Friday
Historically, trading volumes decline on holiday-adjacent sessions. Some professional traders reduce leverage and avoid initiating large-directional positions ahead of multiday market closures due to reduced liquidity and higher impact costs. Retail traders who rely on 24/7 access may choose crypto markets to maintain access during holidays. Institutional desks often publish holiday operating plans to ensure risk and settlement processes remain intact.
Workflows for institutional back offices
Institutions coordinate with counterparties, custodians, and clearinghouses before holiday periods. Typical steps include scheduling payment and settlement instructions early, confirming liquidity lines, and ensuring automated systems account for holiday-adjusted business days to compute accurate settlement dates and interest accruals.
Best practices for retail investors
- Confirm whether your brokerage will accept orders and how they will be handled on holidays.
- Avoid last-minute large trades immediately before a holiday if you cannot tolerate execution uncertainty.
- If you require uninterrupted market access, consider crypto tools such as Bitget and Bitget Wallet, which operate continuously; ensure you understand custody and risk trade-offs.
- Check company-specific dates for corporate actions and dividends to avoid surprises.
References and further reading
For the most accurate, year-specific holiday information, consult the following authoritative sources (official exchange and industry calendars):
- NYSE official holidays and trading hours calendar (exchange-published schedule).
- Nasdaq trading schedule and NasdaqTrader calendar.
- SIFMA holiday schedule for fixed-income market guidance.
- Investor.gov resources on market hours and investor protections.
- Reliable market summaries from outlets such as Investopedia and major news coverage noting market closures.
Remember: always verify the current year’s calendar before placing trades tied to holiday dates.
Final practical reminders and next steps
If you’re preparing for Good Friday: double-check exchange calendars, confirm broker and clearing schedules, and plan settlements and corporate-action related steps in advance. If you need continuous trading access during an exchange holiday, cryptocurrency markets provide 24/7 trading; Bitget offers spot and derivatives trading and Bitget Wallet offers custody and on-chain access to help you maintain trading continuity when traditional exchanges are closed.
Want to stay ready year-round? Keep a broker holiday calendar bookmarked, subscribe to exchange alerts, and consider diversifying access across venues that match your liquidity and settlement needs. For traders who want 24/7 access, explore Bitget’s platform and Bitget Wallet for uninterrupted market participation and secure asset management.
FAQ recap
- Q: Are stocks closed on Good Friday every year?
A: Major U.S. exchanges typically close on Good Friday, but always confirm the current-year calendars. - Q: Can I trade ETFs or options on Good Friday?
A: Generally no, if the underlying exchange is closed; check your broker and venue rules for off-exchange alternatives. - Q: Are cryptocurrencies affected by Good Friday?
A: No — crypto markets operate 24/7.
Sources
- NYSE holidays and trading hours (official exchange calendar).
- Nasdaq trading schedule and NasdaqTrader calendar (official exchange resources).
- SIFMA holiday schedule (industry guidance for fixed-income markets).
- Investor.gov (SEC resources on market hours and investor guidance).
- Investopedia summary articles on market holidays and Good Friday observance.
- News coverage summarizing market activity and macro context, including a January 2026 market report citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data (as of January 10, 2026, per Barchart reporting).
Note: Exchange holiday observance can change. This article describes the typical practice that major U.S. exchanges close on Good Friday, but you should always verify the official calendar for the year you intend to trade.
