2020’s Stock Market Holidays Give Traders Much-Needed Days Off
Here's the lineup of 2020 stock market holidays for the NYSE, the Nasdaq, and bond markets.
Sept. 30 2020, Updated 1:40 p.m. ET
The uncertainty of this 2020 holiday season will probably keep traders hopping in December, so having three days off—Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day—will be good for them. But those working for the NYSE and the Nasdaq have already had seven other stock market holidays in 2020, and bond market traders will have even more days off in the weeks to come. Here’s what to know about the 2020 stock market holidays.
What are the stock market holidays in 2020?
The NYSE and Nasdaq have the same holiday schedule in 2020, according to Kiplinger. They both were or will be closed on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day)
- Monday, Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday
- Friday, April 10: Good Friday
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day
- Friday, July 3: Independence Day (observed)
- Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day
- Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
- Friday, Jan. 1, 2021: New Year’s Day
The NYSE and Nasdaq will both be open on Monday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day), Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), and Thursday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve); Both will close at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving) and Thursday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve).
Does the market close early the day before holidays?
The only two days the NYSE and Nasdaq will close early in 2020 are Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving), and Thursday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve). In both cases, both markets will close at 1 p.m. ET.
How do stock market holidays impact trading?
According to Investopedia, some holidays coincide with decreased trading volumes since many investors and traders are on vacation or with their families. The S&P 500 often trades at a loss on the last trading day of the year only to experience gains on the first trading day of the new year, the site reports, while there tend to be gains before Good Friday and losses afterward. President’s Day, on the other hand, often coincides with losses on both days, while Christmas and Thanksgiving see gains on both days.
Tradimo, meanwhile, reports that stock prices often surge ahead of long weekends and three-day holidays, including Thanksgiving and Independence Day. “This has been attributed to simple optimism and high spirits among traders,” the site says.
What is the bond market holiday schedule?
In 2020, bond markets are or were closed on the NYSE & Nasdaq holidays listed above. They’ll also be closed on the dates below:
- Monday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day).
- Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).
In addition, bond markets closed or will close at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 9 (Maundy Thursday), Friday, May 22 (the Friday before Memorial Day), Thursday, July 2 (the day before the observed Independence Day), Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving), Thursday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), and Thursday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).