In a world with 195 recognised countries, you don’t want to limit your investment portfolio to just the Indian market. Especially when investments in countries like the US have the potential to deliver higher returns. But with international markets come different time zones, and the need to understand how their stock market trading hours align with Indian Standard Time (IST).
So, let’s explore the US stock market open and close time in India and everything else you need to know about investing in the US while living in India.
Table of contents
1. An overview of the US market timings
2. An overview of the US market timings in India
3. After-hours trading hours in the US
4. Daylight saving time
5. An overview of stock market timings in North and South America
6. How can you invest in US stocks from India?
7. Frequently asked questions
1. An overview of the US market timings
Most stock exchanges in the world operate during regular business hours in their local time zone. All the major stock exchanges in the US, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (Nasdaq), are based in New York City, New York. Hence, the US stock market follows the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
1.1 What is the US share market opening and closing time or trading hours?
Trading hours in the US are Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm ET. The market remains closed on the weekend.
| Stock exchange | Opening time | Closing time |
| NYSE | 9:30 am | 4:00 pm |
| Nasdaq | 9:30 am | 4:00 pm |
1.2 List of US stock market holidays
In the US, there are certain annual holidays during which the stock market is closed or is open only for half of the trading day. The list of these holidays is published by stock exchanges on their website. For 2023, here’s the list of US stock market holidays:
| Holiday | 2023 | Status |
| New Year’s Day | Monday, January 2 | Closed |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Monday, January 16 | Closed |
| Presidents’ Day | Monday, February 20 | Closed |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 7 | Closed |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 29 | Closed |
| Juneteenth Holiday | Monday, June 19 | Closed |
| Early Close | Monday, July 3 | 1 pm |
| Independence Day | Tuesday, July 4 | Closed |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 4 | Closed |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 23 | Closed |
| Early Close | Friday, November 24 | 1 pm |
| Christmas Day | Monday, December 25 | Closed |
2. An overview of the US market timings in India
India is about nine and a half hours ahead of US’s east coast. Hence, if you want to invest in the US stock market from India, you need to make a note of the American market open time in India.
2.1 NYSE trading hours in Indian Standard Time (IST)
If you want to trade stocks of companies listed on the NYSE, then the trading hours in IST are 7:00 pm to 1:30 am.
2.2 NYSE holidays
The NYSE’s holidays are the same as the ones listed above. The stock exchange releases its holiday calendar for three years. You can find the list of NYSE holidays 2023, 2024, and 2025 on its website here.
2.3 Nasdaq trading hours in Indian Standard Time (IST)
The Nasdaq’s trading hours are the same as those of the NYSE. For the Nasdaq, the opening time is 7:00 pm, and the closing time is 1:30 am IST.
2.4 Nasdaq holidays
The Nasdaq, too, has the same 10 holidays and two market half-day holidays as above. You can find its annual holiday list on its website here.
3. After-hours trading hours in the US
Like the Indian stock market, the US stock market also has pre-market trading and after-hours trading. Outside of the standard or core market hours of 9:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, you can still place orders, which will be queued and executed once the market opens.
These timings differ slightly for NYSE and Nasdaq.
3.1 NYSE market hours schedule
| Session | Eastern time | Indian standard time |
| Pre-opening | 6:30 am | 4:00 pm |
| Early trading | 7:00 am to 9:30 am | 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm |
| Standard trading | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:30 am |
| Late trading | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | 1:30 am to 5:30 am |
3.2 Nasdaq market hours schedule
While the standard trading and late trading hours of Nasdaq are the same as NYSE, the early trading hours differ.
| Session | Eastern time | Indian standard time |
| Early trading | 4:00 am to 9:30 am | 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm |
| Standard trading | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:30 am |
| Late trading | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | 1:30 am to 5:30 am |
4. Daylight saving time
An interesting and important thing to note is that states like New York in the US follow Daylight Saving Time (DST). This is the practice of setting clocks one hour ahead during the summer months to make better use of the natural daylight. Hence, the Eastern Time Zone has two variations:
4.1 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
This variant of ET is followed during the autumn and winter months. It is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is the primary time standard regulating world clocks and time zones. IST is 10 hours and 30 minutes ahead of EST.
4.2 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
During the spring and summer months, the Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) variant of ET is followed. It is four hours behind UTC. IST is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of EDT.
5. An overview of stock market timings in North and South America
Let’s also look at the market timings of the major stock exchanges in countries located in North America and South America.
5.1 North America
| Stock exchange | Country | Local trading hours | Trading hours in IST |
| NYSE | US | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:30 am |
| Nasdaq | US | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:30 am |
| Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) | US | 8:30 am to 3:15 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:45 am |
| BATS Exchange | US | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 8:00 pm to 2:30 am |
| Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) | Canada | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:30 am |
| Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) | Mexico | 8:30 am to 3:00 pm | 8:00 pm to 2:30 am |
5.2 South America
| Stock exchange | Country | Local trading hours | Trading hours in IST |
| Brasil Bolsa Balcão S.A. (B3) | Brazil | 10:00 am to 5:55 pm | 6:30 pm to 2:25 am |
| Buenos Aires Stock Exchange (BCBA) | Argentina | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | 7:30 pm to 1:30 am |
| Santiago Stock Exchange (BCS) | Chile | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | 7:00 pm to 1:30 am |
6. How can you invest in US stocks from India?
You probably know of the benefits of higher returns and portfolio diversification that the US stock market offers. Now, you also know the US stock market trading hours. But what is the best way to trade in the US stock market from India?
You want to pick an investment platform like Appreciate, that not only offers an easy and cost-effective route to invest in the US but also guides you through your US investing journey.
Through the Appreciate app, you can invest in global stocks 24×7 and do not have to stay up at odd hours to make the most of investing opportunities. You can place your orders at any time, even when the US market is closed. Your orders will be queued and executed when the market opens. Download the app today!
7. Frequently asked questions
7.1 At what time can I buy US stocks from India?
The US stock market hours are 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time (ET), which for investors in India are 7:00 pm to 1:30 am Indian Standard Time (IST). However, with Appreciate, you can place orders for US stocks 24×7. If the US market is closed, your orders will be queued until the market opens.
7.2 Do I have to pay tax for investing in US stocks?
Yes, just like you pay taxes on stock market gains in India, you have to pay taxes on capital gains and dividends earned from US stocks. India and the US have a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to protect investors from paying taxes twice on the same investment in the US.
For dividends earned on US stocks, the US company deducts a flat 25% tax, which can be offset against your tax liability in India. Tax on capital gains depends on the duration for which you have held the US stocks for. To know more about taxation on US investments, read this guide.
7.3 Can I place a limit order to buy US stocks from India?
Yes, through Appreciate, you can place a limit order to buy US stocks from India at any time.
7.4 Is the US stock market open on the weekends?
No, the US stock market is not open on the weekends. The US stock market is open from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time.
7.5 What are the pre-market trading hours of US stock exchanges?
Pre-marketing trading for US stock exchanges like the NYSE and the Nasdaq typically begins at 6:30 am and 4:00 am, respectively, and goes on until 9:30 am.
7.6 What does after-hours trading on US stock exchanges mean?
After-hours trading in the US means that you can place limit orders on your investment app or with your broker after the stock market is closed. In the US, after-hours trading is usually carried out between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. It’s essential to note that pre-market trading and after-hours trading can be more volatile than trading during standard trading hours, and is also usually less liquid.
