Nasdaq Extends Trading In U.S. Equities To 23 Hours A Day, Five Days A Week
On January 8, 2026, Nasdaq filed a proposed rule change with the SEC that would fundamentally alter the U.S. equities trading landscape by extending Nasdaq’s trading hours to 23 hours per day, five days per week. If approved, the proposal would allow trading of Nasdaq-listed equity securities and exchange-traded products almost around the clock, marking one of the most significant market-structure changes in decades
While the proposal is framed as a response to growing global demand for overnight trading—particularly from investors outside the United States—it raises important considerations for public companies, market participants, and regulators.
Overview of the Proposal
Nasdaq currently operates three weekday trading sessions: pre-market (4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET), regular market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET), and post-market (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET). Under the proposal, Nasdaq would restructure trading into two sessions:
- A Day Session running from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, effectively combining the existing pre-market, regular, and post-market sessions;
