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
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.
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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.
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 |
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 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.
Date | Bank holiday | On Exchange Trading Services | OTC/SI Off-book trade reporting only |
---|---|---|---|
Monday 26 August 2024 | Summer Bank Holiday | NON-trading day | Available as normal |
Tuesday 24 December 2024 | Christmas Holiday half-day | Markets closing process commences from 12:30 London time. Standard settlement day. | Available as normal |
Wednesday 25 December 2024 | Christmas Day | NON-trading day | Not available |
Thursday 26 December 2024 | Boxing Day | NON-trading day | Available as normal |
Tuesday 31 December 2024 | New Year Holiday half day | Markets closing process commences from 12:30 London time. Standard settlement day. | Available as normal |
Wednesday 1 January 2025 | New Year Day | NON-trading day | Not available |
Source: London Stock Exchange
Recent updates
Last updated: 06 September 2024
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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 Wales, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from cost of living to politics and LGBTQIA+ issues. Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.
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