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UK stock market opening times
We reveal the UK stock market opening times, what are the extended trading hours and whether it’s open on bank holidays
UK stock market opening times can vary based on whether it’s a public holiday or the festive season.
While most stock markets are open throughout the working week, that doesn’t always mean Monday to Friday. For example, the Saudi Stock Exchange is open from Sunday to Thursday. Trading hours can also vary from region to region.
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Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
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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 six hours and 30 minutes.
The London Stock Exchange is closed on weekends. However, some big City traders can place deals outside of the standard stock market opening times – also known as extended hours or after-hours trading.
We look at the opening times for the London Stock Exchange throughout the year.
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Regular trading schedule
Trading times Monday – Friday
Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading
5:05 am to 7:50 am
Pre-Trading
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Regular Trading
4:40 pm to 5:15 pm
Post-Close Trading
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Partial trading schedule
Trading times Monday – Friday
Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading
5:05 am to 7:50 am
Pre-Trading
8:00 am to 12:30 pm
Regular Trading
12:40 pm to 1:15 pm
Post-Close Trading
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 will be closed on 25 August as it’s a bank holiday Monday.
We’ve rounded up all the bank holidays coming up this year and their impact on the UK stock market.
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UK stock market bank holidays 2025
Date
Bank holiday
On Exchange Trading Services
OTC/SI Off-book trade reporting only
Monday 25 August 2025
Summer Bank Holiday
NON-trading day.
Also GBX/ GBP NON-settlement day in EUI
Available as normal
Wednesday 24 December 2025
Christmas Holiday half day
Markets closing process commences from 12:30 London time. Standard settlement day.
Available as normal
Thursday 25 December 2025
Christmas Day
NON-trading day.
Also GBX/ GBP NON-settlement day in EUI
Not available
Friday 26 December 2025
Boxing Day
NON-trading day.
Also GBX/ GBP NON-settlement day in EUI
Not available
Wednesday 31 December 2025
New Year's Holiday half day
Markets closing process commences from 12:30 London time. Standard settlement day.
Available as normal
Source: London Stock Exchange
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Oojal has a background in consumer journalism and is interested in helping people make the most of their money.
Oojal has an MA in international journalism from Cardiff University, and before joining MoneyWeek, she worked for Look After My Bills, a personal finance website, where she covered guides on household bills and money-saving deals.
Her bylines can be found on Newsquest, Voice.Cymru, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from politics and LGBTQIA+ issues to food and entertainment.
Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.
