UK stock market opening times

Stock market opening times vary depending on which country you’re in, so you may be wondering what the UK trading hours are. 

Most stock markets are open throughout the working week, but that doesn’t always mean Monday to Friday. For example, the Saudi Stock Exchange is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm. And timings can also vary, like the Bombay Stock Exchange, which is open from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm.

Trading hours in the global stock market also vary from region to region based on public holidays. Every country has its traditional days off, whether it’s a UK Bank Holiday, Labor Day in the US, the Emperor’s Birthday in Japan, or the Ferragosto in Italy. 

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

You can check out our Share Tips weekly roundup of the top stocks to consider for your portfolio. And, if you’re looking to diversify your portfolio, check out the best-performing US stocks, European stocks and these hidden Asian gems. As UK stocks become a global favourite, whether you’re new to investing or a long-time investor, it’s worth knowing when you can trade in the UK. We look at the UK stock market opening times throughout the year.

UK stock market opening times in 2024

The UK’s stock market is the London Stock Exchange. It is typically open on weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm with a tiny break between 12:00 pm and 12:02 pm. This is unlike Asian and Middle Eastern markets which close for an hour. 

With a total trading window of 8 hours and 28 minutes, the UK exchange has some of the longest opening hours in the world. The trading session in New York is just 6 hours 30 minutes.

Note: The London Stock Exchange is shut on weekends. Some big City traders can place deals outside of the standard stock market opening times. The exchange conducts what is known as extended hours or after-hours trading, which takes place when the market is closed. 

Is the London Stock Exchange open on bank holidays?

While the London Stock Exchange is usually open on weekdays, bank holidays in England and Wales disrupt trading services. For instance, the stock market was closed on bank holiday Monday on 26 August. 

We’ve rounded up all the bank holidays coming up this year and their impact on the UK stock market. 

Source: London Stock Exchange