2026 U.S. Stock Market Opening Complete Guide: Taiwan Time, Trading Rules Explained

The opening hours of the U.S. stock market are an important reference for investors in Taiwan. As of now, the U.S. has entered daylight saving time at 2:00 a.m. on November 2, 2025, which means the regular trading hours are adjusted to 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Taiwan local time. Due to the significant time difference between the U.S. and Taiwan, and the annual switch between daylight saving and standard time in the U.S., investors must understand the precise time correspondence to seize trading opportunities.

The Three Major Trading Sessions of the U.S. Stock Market

The U.S. stock market is not a single unified market but consists of multiple independent exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Generally, these exchanges operate on similar schedules, but due to their different characteristics, the traded securities and features vary slightly.

The full trading day in the U.S. stock market includes three sessions, all based on Eastern Time (ET):

Pre-market trading: Monday to Friday, 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Regular trading: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (the most liquid and active period)
After-hours trading: Monday to Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Among these, the regular trading hours are officially recognized as the main trading session, with the largest trading volume and most efficient price discovery. Pre-market and after-hours trading are permitted but involve lower volume and wider spreads; investors should participate cautiously.

Essential for Taiwanese Investors: Converting U.S. Market Opening Hours

Because the U.S. observes daylight saving time and standard time shifts, while Asia maintains a fixed time zone year-round, Taiwanese investors need to understand the time correspondence during both periods.

U.S. Time Conversion Rules:

• Daylight Saving Time (DST): Starts on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 a.m., clocks move forward 1 hour
• Standard Time: Starts on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 a.m., clocks move back 1 hour

This adjustment causes the time difference between Taiwan and the U.S. to fluctuate between 12 and 13 hours. The following are the 2026 U.S. stock market opening times in Taiwan local time:

Practical Tip: To trade during regular hours, Taiwanese investors should trade from 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. during standard time, and from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. during daylight saving time. Setting alarms on your phone is recommended to avoid missing key trading periods.

Complete List of U.S. Market Holidays in 2026

The U.S. securities exchanges close or have early closing on certain statutory holidays. Investors should pay close attention to these dates to avoid misestimating trading windows. The 2026 holiday schedule is as follows:

Investors are advised to record these holidays in their trading logs, especially noting early closing days to prevent order execution issues.

Comparison of the Three Major U.S. Stock Exchanges

The main trading venues in the U.S. stock market are three major exchanges, each with distinct features:

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

The NYSE is the world’s largest stock exchange by total market capitalization of listed securities, with over 3,500 listed companies. Its trading method combines electronic and floor trading—most transactions are executed electronically, but floor traders still play a key role in price setting and handling large institutional orders. Investors often regard NYSE as the hub for blue-chip and large-cap stocks.

NASDAQ

NASDAQ is the world’s first fully electronic stock exchange, with no physical trading floor. Investors trade via phone or internet directly. Many high-tech and growth companies are listed here, such as Microsoft and Apple, making NASDAQ synonymous with tech stocks and emerging companies.

NYSE American (formerly AMEX)

NYSE American is the third-largest U.S. exchange, with trading modes similar to NYSE. It specializes in small- and mid-cap stocks and is the only U.S. exchange that can trade stocks, futures, and derivatives simultaneously. Acquired by NYSE Group in 2008, it retains its trading characteristics under the new name.

Global Major Stock Markets Trading Hours Quick Reference

Beyond the U.S., investors can track other major global stock markets. The table below shows opening and closing times in local and Taiwan time:

By comparing these times, investors can develop around-the-clock trading strategies, allocate resources across different markets, and manage a global investment portfolio efficiently.