The Stock Market Moves to 24/7 Trading
The traditional stock market schedule, running from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and marked by opening and closing bells dating back to the 1870s, is becoming outdated. This shift mirrors the change from physical trading floors to electronic platforms.
Now, Wall Street is rapidly adopting the continuous, always-on trading model seen in cryptocurrency and prediction markets to serve a new generation of retail investors eager for nonstop market activity.
Extended Trading Hours
- Major exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq are moving toward longer trading hours, aiming for 22 and 24-hour sessions respectively.
- Some platforms plan to launch these extended hours before the end of the year.
Market Structural Change
The push for round-the-clock trading is fueled by a surge in retail investor participation, which now accounts for at least 20% of daily U.S. trading volume. There is also a global demand for access to trillions of American equities.
The shift "represents the most fundamental change to market structure since electronic trading replaced the trading floor."
Context
This transformation was first highlighted in Quartz’s members-only Weekend Brief newsletter, offering exclusive insights about the evolving financial markets.
Author's Summary
The stock market is evolving from its traditional hours to a 24/7 model, driven by retail investors and global demand, marking a historic shift in market dynamics.