Yes, the stock market is closed on Juneteenth
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the bond markets all close on Juneteenth (June 19th) each year. This is a federal holiday, and the markets treat it the same way they treat Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day — they do not trade. If June 19th falls on a weekend, the markets close on the nearest weekday that the federal government observes the holiday.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and the stock markets began observing it in 2022. Before that, the markets were open on June 19th. If you have held stock or bonds for many years, you may remember trading on this date in the past.
When the markets are closed, you cannot buy or sell stocks, bonds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through normal trading hours. However, some brokers offer after-hours or pre-market trading on days when the main markets are closed, though the volume is much lower and the spreads between bid and ask prices are wider.
Key Takeaways
- The NYSE, NASDAQ, and bond markets close completely on Juneteenth each year, with no regular trading during market hours.
- Juneteenth has been a federal holiday since 2021, and the stock markets began observing it in 2022.
- If June 19th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the markets close on the nearest weekday that the federal government designates.
- Some brokers offer limited after-hours trading on market closure days, but with lower volume and wider price spreads than normal trading hours.
What happens to your existing positions when the market closes
Your stocks, bonds, and other holdings remain in your account while the market is closed. They do not disappear, and you do not lose ownership. The price you see on your brokerage app is the last price from the previous trading day, and it will not update until the market reopens.
If you have set up automatic dividend reinvestment or other scheduled transactions, those may still process on the closure day depending on your broker's system. Check with your specific brokerage to understand how they handle scheduled actions on market closure days.
How to plan ahead if you need to trade around Juneteenth
If you know you want to buy or sell before or after Juneteenth, place your order before the market closes on the last trading day before the holiday. Orders placed after the market closes will sit in your broker's system and execute when the market reopens.
Some brokers allow you to place orders for the next trading day after the market closes, which can be useful if you want to trade as soon as the market reopens. Read your broker's rules about after-hours order placement to see what options are available to you.
If you are waiting for news or earnings reports that might come out while the market is closed, remember that the price will not adjust until trading resumes. This means the opening price on the day the market reopens may be very different from the closing price on the day before.
After-hours and pre-market trading on closure days
Not all brokers offer after-hours or pre-market trading, and the ones that do have strict limits. If your broker does allow trading when the main markets are closed, you will see much lower trading volume, wider spreads between the bid price (what buyers offer) and the ask price (what sellers want), and potentially higher risk of not finding a buyer or seller for your order.
After-hours trading typically runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on regular trading days, but availability on federal holidays varies by broker. Pre-market trading usually runs from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Eastern time. Call your broker or check their website to confirm whether they offer these services on Juneteenth.
Other federal holidays when the stock market closes
The stock market closes on the same days the federal government observes as holidays. In addition to Juneteenth, this includes New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The market also closes early (at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time instead of 4:00 p.m.) on the day after Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve, unless those days fall on a weekend. These early closures are announced by the NYSE and NASDAQ each year, and your broker should notify you of the schedule.
How the bond market differs from the stock market on closure days
The bond markets (Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds) close on the same federal holidays as the stock market, including Juneteenth. The bond market does not open for regular trading when stocks are closed.
However, some bond dealers may still trade bonds over-the-counter (directly between dealers) even when the official bond market is closed. This is much less common than after-hours stock trading, and spreads are even wider. Most individual investors do not have access to this level of trading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my stocks on Juneteenth if I need the money?
No, you cannot sell through the regular stock market on Juneteenth because the NYSE and NASDAQ are closed. If your broker offers after-hours trading, you may be able to place an order, but it will execute at whatever price the market offers in that thin after-hours environment, which could be significantly different from the previous day's closing price.
What if I placed an order before the market closed and forgot to cancel it?
Your order will remain in the system and execute when the market reopens the next trading day, unless you cancel it before the market closes. Log into your brokerage account and look for pending or open orders to cancel anything you do not want to execute.
Do mutual funds and ETFs trade on Juneteenth?
Mutual funds do not trade during the day — they price once per day after the market closes. On Juneteenth, mutual funds will price based on the previous trading day's closing prices. ETFs trade like stocks, so they cannot be bought or sold on Juneteenth during regular market hours, though some brokers may offer after-hours trading.
Will my dividend payment be delayed if it is supposed to arrive on Juneteenth?
Dividend payments scheduled for Juneteenth are typically paid on the next business day instead. Contact your broker or the company's investor relations department if you are unsure when a specific dividend will arrive.
How do I know the exact market closure dates for the year?
The NYSE publishes its annual holiday schedule on its website. Your broker should also display the market closure calendar in your account settings or on their website. Check these sources at the start of each year to plan your trading around closure dates.