When you’re active in the stock market, one of the key factors that influence your trading strategy is understanding how many trading days are in a year. Understanding how many opportunities you have to trade can help you plan and execute your trades more effectively. In this guide, we’ll explore what constitutes a trading day, how they are calculated, and why they are so important for traders and investors.
What Is a Trading Day?
A trading day refers to any day when stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are open for regular business.
Standard U.S. Stock Market Hours
- Regular Trading Hours: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
- Pre-Market Trading: 4:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
- After-Hours Trading: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Stock market hours vary across different financial exchanges globally, such as London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).
How to Calculate the Number of Trading Days in a Year
Calculating the number of trading days in a given year involves simple arithmetic. The calendar year has 365 days (or 366 in a leap year), but you need to account for weekends and holidays when stock markets are closed.
Typically, there are 52 weekends in a year, which amounts to 104 non-trading days. Additionally, there are approximately 10 stock market holidays observed annually, which further reduces the number of available trading days. By subtracting weekends and holidays from the total number of days in the year, you can determine how many trading days there are.
- 2023 Trading Days: 252
- 2024 Trading Days: 251
- 2025 Trading Days: 250
Though it may seem like a minor fluctuation, these differences in the number of trading days can slightly affect the strategies of traders and investors who aim to maximize their opportunities.
The total number of trading days in a year depends on weekends and holidays when markets are closed.
| Year | Total Days | Weekend Days | Stock Market Holidays | Trading Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 365 | 104 | 9 | 252 |
| 2024 | 366 (Leap Year) | 104 | 11 | 251 |
| 2025 | 365 | 104 | 11 | 250 |
U.S. Stock Market Holidays (NYSE & Nasdaq) – 2025
In the United States, stock exchanges observe official holidays, meaning no trading takes place on these days.
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20
- Presidents’ Day – February 17
- Good Friday – April 18
- Memorial Day – May 26
- Independence Day – July 4 (Markets may close early on July 3)
- Labor Day – September 1
- Thanksgiving Day – November 27 (Early closure on Nov. 28)
- Christmas Day – December 25
🟢 Note: Black Friday and Christmas Eve often have early market closures at 1:00 PM ET.
Knowing these holidays is essential for planning your trading strategy. If you’re unaware of them, you might miss significant opportunities or miscalculate your trading windows.
Stock Market Holiday Calendar
Select a year to see the stock market holidays:
Why the Number of Trading Days Matters
The total trading days in a year directly affect trading strategies, market volatility, and profit opportunities.
In fact, some of the most profitable trading days tend to occur when the market behaves inefficiently — due to emotional reactions, delayed information, or liquidity gaps. Understanding how these market inefficiencies work can help traders capitalize on mispriced assets and improve timing strategies throughout the year.
🔹 Key Impacts on Trading Strategies:
- Day Traders & Swing Traders – Plan short-term trades based on market liquidity.
- Long-Term Investors – Factor in market cycles, earnings seasons, and Federal Reserve meetings.
- Options Traders – Expiration dates align with market holidays.
The 80/20 Rule in Trading
Studies show 80% of trading profits come from 20% of trading days—highlighting the importance of trading on high-impact days such as:
- Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decisions
- Earnings Reports of Major Companies
- Inflation & Jobs Data Releases
💡 Tip: Missing a few key trading days can significantly impact annual returns.
This is especially relevant during earnings season or around major news events that can cause significant market movement. Being aware of the number of trading days—and planning for them—can help you make the most of these critical opportunities.
Trading Days Calculator
Enter a year to calculate the number of trading days:
Trading Days Around the World
Not all stock exchanges follow the same schedule. Here’s how global markets differ:
| Stock Exchange | Country | Trading Days (2025) | Notable Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYSE / Nasdaq | USA | 250 | Independence Day, Thanksgiving |
| London Stock Exchange (LSE) | UK | 252 | Easter Monday, Boxing Day |
| Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) | Japan | 245 | Golden Week, Emperor’s Birthday |
| Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) | China | 240 | Lunar New Year, National Day |
| Euronext | EU | 251 | Various country-specific holidays |
📊 For International Traders: If you trade forex or global ETFs, knowing when foreign markets are open can create more opportunities.
Being aware of the global trading calendar is particularly useful for international investors or those who engage in forex trading or global ETFs, where market activity can continue even when U.S. markets are closed.
Use this interactive tool to view the opening and closing times of major global stock exchanges, adjusted to your local time zone for seamless trading across markets.
Global Stock Market Hours
Select your country/time zone to see the stock market hours in your local time:
Maximizing Your Trading Opportunities
Understanding how many trading days are in a year is a vital piece of knowledge for any trader or investor. It not only helps in calculating potential trading windows but also emphasizes the importance of staying informed about market schedules and holidays.
Here are a few tips to maximize your trading opportunities:
- Stay updated on the stock market calendar: Use tools like market calendars to stay on top of holidays and shortened trading days.
- Plan around holidays: Knowing when markets will be closed can help you avoid unnecessary risks or missed opportunities.
- Focus on high-probability days: Recognize that not all trading days are equal. Pay attention to key events like earnings reports or economic data releases, which are more likely to move the markets.
Final Thoughts
Trading days play a pivotal role in shaping the strategies of anyone participating in the stock market. Whether you're trading every day or strategically planning around certain events, understanding the number of trading days in a year is essential. Make sure you’re prepared to take advantage of those days that can make the biggest impact on your portfolio.
With the right preparation, you can ensure that you're trading on the most important days while avoiding potential missteps that come with market closures or low-liquidity sessions. Stay informed, plan ahead, and make the most of every trading opportunity.
FAQ
How do you calculate the number of trading days in a year?
To calculate the number of trading days in a year, subtract weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and stock market holidays from the total days in the year (365 or 366 in a leap year). For most U.S. exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq, this results in around 250 to 252 trading days annually.
Why are there only 252 trading days in a year?
There are only 252 trading days in a typical year because the stock markets are closed on weekends (52 Saturdays and Sundays) and during holidays like New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas. This reduces the total available trading days from 365 to around 250.
What days are the stock markets closed?
Stock markets are closed on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and U.S. holidays such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Occasionally, there are early closures before some holidays.
How many hours does the stock market stay open?
In the U.S., the stock market is open for 6.5 hours each day, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Some exchanges also offer pre-market and after-hours trading sessions for added flexibility.
Does the stock market open on public holidays?
No, the stock market does not open on major public holidays in the U.S. These include New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving, among others. It’s important to check the stock market calendar for specific holiday closures and early close times.
