When it comes to day trading in various financial markets, one important thing to consider is the number of trading days in a year.
The stock market, futures market, and forex market are closed on weekends and certain holidays.
The crypto market is open every single day.
So understanding how many days you have to trade can help you plan your trading strategy according to your trading style and make the most of your opportunities.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how many trading days there are in a year in each of these markets.
Stock Market Trading Days
The stock market is open for trading on weekdays, with the exception of holidays.
In the United States, the stock market is closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
In addition, the markets close early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
When you take these holidays into account, there are approximately 251 trading days in a year for the stock market.
However, it’s important to note that this number can vary slightly from year to year depending on the calendar.
For example, if a holiday falls on a weekend, the market will be closed on the nearest weekday.
Futures Market Trading Days
The futures market, which includes trading indices, commodities, or currencies, also follows a similar schedule to the stock market.
The major exchanges such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) are closed on weekends and holidays.
They also close early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
So, the number of trading days in a year for the futures market is also around 251.
Forex Market Trading Days
The forex market, which stands for Foreign Exchange, operates 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.
The market is closed on weekends, but it remains open on holidays. This means that the number of trading days in a year for the forex market is around 252.
Crypto Market Trading Days
The crypto market operates 24/7, 365 days a year, it does not close for weekends or holidays.
So, there are 365 trading days in a year for the crypto market.
It’s important to keep in mind that different markets have different trading schedules.
For example, some international markets may be closed for different holidays than the U.S. markets.
Additionally, the trading hours for different markets may also vary.
The NYSE, for example, is open from 9:30 AM to 4 PM EST, while the NASDAQ is open from 9:30 AM to 4 PM EST.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of trading days in a year is an important consideration for traders in different financial markets.
Knowing that there are approximately 251 trading days in a year for the stock market, 251 trading days in the futures market, 252 trading days in the forex market, and 365 trading days in the crypto market can help you to plan your trading year in advance.
And heck, plan your vacations too!
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that the different markets have different trading schedules and the number of trading days can vary depending on the calendar.