The stock market is going 24 hours, 7 days a week

The Stock Market Is Moving to 24/7 Trading

The traditional stock market hours, running from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., marked by opening and closing bells since the 1870s, are becoming outdated. This old format is as antiquated as the headsets still seen on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) floor.

Market Structure Transformation

The move toward continuous, round-the-clock trading is the most significant change to market structure since the transition from physical trading floors to electronic trading. This development reflects a shift in financial markets to align more closely with the always-on nature of cryptocurrency and prediction markets.

Adapting to New Trader Demands

Wall Street is racing to adopt the 24-hour trading model to meet the needs of a new generation of retail investors who demand constant market access. Retail traders now account for at least 20% of daily U.S. trading volume, fueling this shift. Additionally, the global demand for U.S. equities continues to grow.

Exchange Initiatives

A version of this article originally appeared in Quartz’s members-only Weekend Brief newsletter.

This expansion represents a fundamental evolution in how markets operate, offering more accessibility and aligning with modern trading preferences.

Author's summary: The stock market is undergoing a historic change as major exchanges push to offer nearly 24/7 trading, driven by rising retail participation and the influence of always-on digital markets.

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qz.com qz.com — 2025-11-04

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