To continue enjoying all the features of Navy Federal Online, please use a compatible browser. Confirm your browser capability.

Bottom Line Up Front

  • Trading in foreign markets is a way to diversify your portfolio and getting familiar with the different markets is important if you want to start investing there.
  • The Hong Kong, Europe and UK exchange hours are different.

Time to Read

2 minutes

May 1, 2022

Investors can trade shares on different exchanges, but that doesn’t mean they work the same way or that they’re open at the same time. 

Buying foreign stocks may help you diversify your portfolio, but it can have more risk than U.S. markets. Many of these markets don’t have the same level of oversight as U.S. markets. They may be more likely to be affected by things like sudden political change—which can devastate their economy. You’ll also need to account for differences between the value of the foreign money and the U.S. dollar. Other risks may include differences in legal or accounting rules.

Before you start trading, get familiar with the different markets and make sure you know their hours—and time zones. Here are the hours for some of the most popular.

For the U.S. and foreign markets, before you start investing, time zones, lunch breaks and daily available trading hours all matter more than you might think.

U.S. Market Hours

US exchanges (NYSE and NASDAQ) operate Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm EST. Most also allow electronic trading in the hours before opening and after closing, known as “after-hours” trading. However, the market is often more volatile (unstable) and less liquid (selling prices might not be what you hope) after hours.

International Market Hours 

A handy tool to help you convert the following markets’ hours to your local time is available at timeanddate.com.

Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4 pm Hong Kong time, with a break for lunch between noon and 1 pm. 

Europe: The Euronext Stock Exchange operates stock exchanges in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London, Milan, Oslo and Paris. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm CET and doesn’t close for lunch.

UK: The London Stock Exchange is open Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm UK time, with a 2-minute break at noon.

Take Your Investing Knowledge to the Next Level

Navy Federal Investment Services wants to help you become a more confident investor. If you’d like more information about diversification or investing in foreign stocks, our financial advisors can help. 

Key Takeaways Key Takeaways

Start

Investing Resources

View More Investing Resources

Disclosures

Navy Federal Financial Group, LLC (NFFG) is a licensed insurance agency. Non-deposit investments, brokerage, and advisory products are only sold through Navy Federal Investment Services, LLC (NFIS), a member of FINRA/SIPC and an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. NFIS is a wholly owned subsidiary of NFFG. Insurance products are offered through NFFG and NFIS. These products are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guaranteed or obligations of Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), are not offered, recommended, sanctioned, or encouraged by the federal government, and may involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Deposit products and related services are provided by NFCU. Financial Advisors are employees of NFFG, and they are employees and registered representatives of NFIS. NFIS and NFFG are affiliated companies under the common control of NFCU. Call 1-877-221-8108 for further information.

This content is intended to provide general information and shouldn't be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.