One of the world’s largest stock exchanges, Nasdaq, is preparing for a revolutionary change in Wall Street’s working schedule. The exchange plans to submit an official application to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce 24/7 stock trading. This is reported by Reuters.
According to the plan, Nasdaq will expand trading hours from the current 16 to 23 hours a day, five days a week. The launch of the new system is expected in the second half of 2026.
Instead of the usual scheme, the exchange will introduce two main trading sessions:
- Day session: starts at 04:00 in the morning and lasts until 20:00 in the evening (Eastern US time). It will include the usual pre-market, the main session (from 09:30 to 16:00), and the post-market.
- Night session: starts at 21:00 and lasts until 04:00 the next morning.
Between sessions (from 20:00 to 21:00), there is an hour-long technical break for system maintenance and trade clearing. The trading week will start on Sunday at 21:00 and end on Friday at 20:00.
The decision to switch to the “non-stop” mode is dictated by the rapid growth of foreign investors’ interest in American assets. According to Nasdaq, foreign investments in US stocks last year reached $17 trillion, and the American market accounts for almost two-thirds of the world’s public company capitalization.
The success of the initiative depends on the readiness of the infrastructure. The key role is played by the US Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which plans to launch 24-hour clearing (trade settlements) by the end of 2026.
Nasdaq is not the only exchange moving in this direction. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Cboe Global Markets have also announced plans to introduce 24-hour trading. However, central Wall Street banks are still cautious, fearing reduced liquidity and increased volatility overnight.