In talking with a client this week about the market’s closure for Labor Day, the question was said in passing – “is the market always closed on National Holidays?” This is a question I’ve never answered here, so let’s take care of that today!

As is often the case, the question doesn’t have a straightforward answer as it depends what markets you’re asking about. Bond and equity markets follow slightly different schedules.

Equity Markets

Equity markets observe all national holidays and are closed on: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Equity markets may also close early on July 3rd, Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

Bond Markets

Bond markets observe all the national holidays noted above but also close on two additional days (which are also bank holidays) – Columbus Day and Veterans Day.

Bond markets close early on the same days as equity markets noted above, as well as on the day before Good Friday, Friday before Memorial Day, and New Year’s Eve.

As observation dates of certain holidays vary each year, it’s always a good idea to obtain actual market closing dates at the start of each year, which are published by the stock exchanges as well as all major broker/dealers and custodians.