Is the Stock Market Open on Veterans Day?

Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11. It’s a federal holiday intended to commemorate those who have served in the military. In observance of Veterans Day, some U.S. markets will be closed and some will be open. If you plan to buy or sell certain stocks on the holiday, you might wonder if the stock market is open on Veterans Day.

Yes, the Nasdaq and the NYSE are open on Veterans Day. They will both be open during their normal operating hours. Neither market will be closed or use a shortened schedule. All trading can start as if it was any other day. As a result, you can buy or sell stocks listed on the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the Nasdaq Composite Index. The normal trading hours for the Nasdaq and the NYSE are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET on weekdays.

After Veterans Day, there are only two more federal holidays when the stock market is closed—Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. When a holiday occurs on a Saturday for a certain year, the stock market will be closed on the preceding Friday in observance. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the stock market will be closed on the following Monday.

The stock market is also closed on other holidays throughout the year:

• New Year's Day, Jan. 1

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday of January
• President's Day, the third Monday in February
• Good Friday, the Friday before Easter
• Memorial Day, the last Monday of May
• Independence Day, July 4
• Labor Day, the first Monday of September
• Thanksgiving Day, the last Thursday of November
• Christmas, Dec. 25

The Bond market isn’t open on Veterans Day. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association suggested that the bond market is closed on Veterans Day in-line with the U.S. Treasury Department’s holiday timetable.

Bond and stock markets used to be closed as far back as 1938. At the time, the national holiday was known as Armistice Day. The holiday commemorated World War I veterans. In 1954, in order to recognize the service of veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Congress swapped the term "Armistice" with "Veterans." The holiday commemorates the contribution of all retired U.S. military personnel.

To thank veterans and current military personnel for their contributions, many businesses offer free meals, grocery store discounts, free haircuts, free car washes, restaurant deals, and more on Veterans Day. Most of the restaurants and stores will need proof of service or a military ID. The offers are only valid at participating locations.

Along with free meals, there are some online and physical retailers that will offer discounts for veterans on Veterans Day, on items such as electronics, apparel, home items, and more. For in-person or online retail stores, proof of service or military ID may be required to be eligible.