The stock market is closed on Veterans Day

Yes, the U.S. stock market closes on Veterans Day, which falls on November 11 each year. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and all other major U.S. exchanges shut down for the day. No stocks trade, no options trade, and no bonds trade on the public markets.

When Veterans Day falls on a weekend, the market observes the holiday on the nearest weekday. If November 11 is a Saturday, the market closes on Friday, November 10. If November 11 is a Sunday, the market closes on Monday, November 12. This rule applies to all federal holidays the market observes.

Veterans Day is one of nine days per year when U.S. stock exchanges close completely. The others are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day.

Key Takeaways

  • The stock market closes entirely on Veterans Day (November 11) and does not reopen until the next trading day.
  • When Veterans Day falls on a weekend, the market observes the holiday on the nearest weekday instead.
  • No stocks, options, bonds, or futures trade on any major U.S. exchange during a market closure.
  • Market closures are set by the NYSE and explore to all major U.S. exchanges, including NASDAQ and the Chicago exchanges.

What happens to your trades and orders on Veterans Day

Any order you place to buy or sell stock before the market closes on the trading day before Veterans Day will not execute until the market reopens. If you submit a market order (an order to buy or sell when ready at the current price) after the market closes, your broker will hold it and send it to the exchange when trading resumes.

Limit orders—orders to buy at a specific price or below, or sell at a specific price or above—also wait until the market reopens. The price you set may no longer be available when trading resumes, especially if the stock has moved significantly overnight or over the weekend.

Some brokers allow after-hours trading on regular trading days, but after-hours markets do not operate on federal holidays. You cannot trade stocks on Veterans Day through any U.S. exchange or most after-hours platforms.

How to plan ahead for a market closure

If you know you want to make a trade around Veterans Day, place your order during regular trading hours on the last day the market is open before the holiday. This ensures your order reaches the exchange while it is operating.

Check your broker's holiday schedule at the start of each year or before major holidays. Most brokers publish a calendar showing all market closures. If you use a financial advisor or work with a brokerage firm, they can also tell you when the market will be closed.

If you are waiting for news or earnings reports that might affect a stock, remember that companies often release earnings after the market closes on the last trading day before a long weekend. The stock price may move significantly when the market reopens, so your limit orders may execute at a different price than you expected.

International markets and Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday and only affects U.S. stock exchanges. International stock exchanges—such as the London Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, or Frankfurt Stock Exchange—operate on their normal schedules and do not close for Veterans Day.

If you hold stocks listed on a foreign exchange or trade through an international broker, you can still trade on Veterans Day. However, U.S.-listed stocks and U.S. exchanges will be closed, so you cannot buy or sell American companies on that day through a U.S. broker.

Market closures versus early closures

The stock market closes completely on Veterans Day—it does not open at all. This is different from days when the market opens but closes early. The day before Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving (if it falls on a Friday) are days when the market closes at 1 p.m. Eastern Time instead of the normal 4 p.m.

On early-close days, you can still place trades during the shortened trading window. On full-closure days like Veterans Day, you cannot trade at any time during market hours.

What to do if you need to trade on or around Veterans Day

If you must make a trade and the market is closed, you have a few options. You can wait until the market reopens the next trading day and place your order then. You can also contact your broker to ask whether they offer any alternative trading venues, though most retail brokers do not have access to private trading networks on federal holidays.

Some investors use limit orders set well in advance to execute trades automatically when the market reopens, though this carries the risk that the stock price may have moved and your order may not fill at the price you expected. Others straightforward plan their trading around known market closures and avoid making time-sensitive trades near holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade stocks on Veterans Day through my broker?

No. All major U.S. stock exchanges close on Veterans Day, and no stocks trade through any U.S. exchange that day. After-hours trading platforms also do not operate on federal holidays. You must wait until the next trading day to place an order.

What if Veterans Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday?

The market observes the holiday on the nearest weekday. If Veterans Day is on a Saturday, the market closes on Friday. If it is on a Sunday, the market closes on Monday. The market does not close twice to make up for a weekend holiday.

Do bonds and options trade when the stock market is closed?

No. When the NYSE closes for a federal holiday, all major U.S. exchanges close, including options exchanges and bond markets. Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and all other securities do not trade on Veterans Day.

Will my pending order execute when the market reopens after Veterans Day?

Market orders and limit orders placed before the closure will be sent to the exchange when it reopens, but they may not fill at the price you expected if the stock has moved overnight or over the weekend. Check your broker's policies on how pending orders are handled after market closures.

Can I trade international stocks on Veterans Day?

Yes, if they are listed on a foreign exchange. International stock exchanges do not close for U.S. federal holidays. However, you cannot trade U.S.-listed stocks through a U.S. broker on Veterans Day, even if the company operates internationally.