Is Stock Market Open on Presidents Day 2026? Full Holiday Schedule, NYSE & Nasdaq Hours Guide
If you woke up today checking your trading app and wondering is stock market open on presidents day, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of investors — from active traders to long-term retirement planners — search for clarity on market hours during federal holidays.
On Monday, February 16, 2026, U.S. financial markets paused trading to observe Presidents Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday. While many businesses and retailers stay open for holiday sales, Wall Street takes a scheduled break, giving traders and institutions a chance to reset before the next session.
Understanding whether the market is open or closed is crucial for planning trades, managing risk, and setting expectations — especially if you follow global markets from outside the United States.
This complete guide explains everything investors need to know, including which markets are closed, why the holiday exists, what you can still trade, and what happens when markets reopen.
📊 Quick Answer: Is Stock Market Open on Presidents Day 2026?
No — the U.S. stock market is closed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Major exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are not operating. Regular trading resumes Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.
The U.S. bond market and most over-the-counter trading are also closed for the holiday.
🏦 Market Status at a Glance
| Exchange / Market | Status on Feb 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| New York Stock Exchange | Closed |
| Nasdaq | Closed |
| U.S. Bond Market | Closed |
| OTC Markets | Closed |
| CME Group Futures | Early halt |
| International Markets | Open |
Why Is the Stock Market Closed Today?
The answer to is stock market open on presidents day is rooted in federal holiday policy and financial system logistics.
Federal Holiday Alignment –
Presidents Day is a federal holiday, meaning banks and government offices are closed. Since clearing systems operated by the Federal Reserve are offline, it becomes difficult to settle trades — making closure necessary.
Historical Background –
Washington’s Birthday became a federal holiday in 1879 and was moved to the third Monday in February in 1971 to create a long weekend.
Although commonly called Presidents Day, the official federal name has never changed.
Operational Maintenance –
Exchanges also use holiday closures for system checks, upgrades, and operational maintenance — ensuring smooth functioning for the rest of the year.
📈 What Happens to Major Indexes?
Since exchanges are closed, major indexes like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average do not trade.
Their values remain unchanged until markets reopen, although futures trading may provide hints about how they might move the next day.
💻 Can You Still Place Trades?
Yes — you can place orders through most brokerage platforms, but they will not execute until markets reopen.
If you’re still asking is stock market open on presidents day, remember:
- Orders remain pending
- No real-time execution occurs
- Prices may change when trading resumes
This is important because overnight news or global market movements can affect opening prices.
🔄 Futures Market Schedule
While stock trading stops, futures markets operate on a modified schedule.
Equity index futures and commodities may trade for limited hours before halting early. This allows investors to monitor global sentiment even when the main exchanges are closed.
🌍 What About International Markets?
Global markets do not observe U.S. federal holidays.
Exchanges in London, Tokyo, and Mumbai continue trading, which can influence U.S. markets when they reopen.
If you hold international stocks or ETFs, you may see price movements reflected overseas.
🗓️ Full 2026 U.S. Stock Market Holiday Calendar
Planning ahead helps investors avoid surprises. Here are the remaining market holidays for 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Market Status |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | April 3 | Closed |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Closed |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Closed |
| Independence Day (Observed) | July 3 | Closed |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Closed |
| Thanksgiving | November 26 | Closed |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Closed |
Markets also typically close early the day after Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve.
📉 Historical Trends Around Presidents Day
Many investors wonder if the holiday impacts market performance.
Research suggests there is no consistent “holiday rally.” Instead:
- Trading volume often declines before the holiday
- Markets may show volatility after reopening
- Performance tends to depend more on macroeconomic news
So while people often ask is stock market open on presidents day, the bigger question is how markets react afterward — which varies year to year.
💰 Are Banks Open on Presidents Day?
Most banks are closed because it’s a federal holiday. However:
- ATMs remain available
- Online banking works normally
- Mobile payments continue
Financial transactions that require bank processing may be delayed until the next business day.
🪙 Can You Trade Crypto?
Yes — cryptocurrency markets never close.
Bitcoin and other digital assets trade 24/7, including holidays. This is one area where investors still see continuous price action even when traditional markets pause.
📊 Why Your Stock Price Might Still Change
If you notice price updates despite the holiday, it could be due to:
- After-hours trading from the previous session
- International market movements
- Futures pricing
However, actual stock trading remains paused.
How to Use the Holiday as an Investor?
Having the market closed on a Monday can feel strange, but it is an opportunity. Smart investors use these pauses not to panic, but to prepare.
- Review Your Portfolio: Use the quiet time to look at your asset allocation without the distraction of price movements.
- Plan Entry/Exit Points: Since you know your orders will execute on Tuesday, you can set limit orders now for the price you want.
- Catch Up on News: Read the long-form reports and analyses you missed during the busy week.
- Check the Futures: While the stock market is closed, futures are often trading. Looking at S&P 500 futures on Monday evening can give you a hint of the sentiment when the opening bell rings on Tuesday morning.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is stock market open on presidents day every year?
No. U.S. markets close annually to observe the federal holiday.
When does trading resume?
Regular trading resumes Tuesday following the holiday at 9:30 AM ET.
Are futures markets open?
They operate on modified hours with early closures.
Is the bond market open?
No — bond markets follow the holiday schedule and remain closed.
Can I still invest internationally?
Yes, global markets continue trading normally.
📌 Key Takeaways
- The answer to is stock market open on presidents day is no — major U.S. exchanges are closed.
- Trading resumes the next business day.
- Futures markets operate on limited hours.
- Global markets remain open.
- Investors can still place orders but they won’t execute until reopening.
🧾 Conclusion: A Planned Pause in the Financial Calendar
To summarize, if you’re asking is stock market open on presidents day, the answer for 2026 is clear — U.S. markets are closed on February 16 in observance of Washington’s Birthday.
While the closure may feel inconvenient for active traders, it is a routine and necessary pause that keeps the financial system running smoothly.
Use this break as an opportunity to step back, review your investment strategy, and prepare for the next trading session. When markets reopen, being prepared can make all the difference in navigating volatility and capturing opportunities.
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