Stock Market Timings in India – BSE & NSE Trading Hours

• Dec 26, 2025
• author

The confusion usually arises because Fridays often fall before long weekends, public holidays, or special trading schedules. Missing a trading day or placing trades at the wrong time can directly affect investment decisions, profits, and portfolio planning.

In this detailed guide, we will explain whether the stock market is open on Friday, how regular trading hours work, what happens on holiday Fridays, early market closures, global market differences, and how traders should plan their strategies around Fridays.

This article is designed to give you a complete understanding, whether you are a long-term investor, swing trader, or day trader.

Understanding Regular Stock Market Trading Days

Before answering whether the stock market is open on Friday, it is important to understand how stock markets normally operate.

Most major stock exchanges around the world follow a five-day trading week, which includes:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday

The markets are generally closed on Saturdays and Sundays, except in a few countries with different workweek structures.

So, under normal circumstances, Friday is a regular trading day.

Is the Stock Market Open on Friday?

Yes, the stock market is usually open on Friday.

In the United States, major exchanges such as:

• New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• NASDAQ

are open every Friday unless it is a market holiday or an early-close day.

The same applies to many other global stock markets including those in India, the UK, Canada, and Europe.

However, not all Fridays are treated equally, which is where confusion begins.

Standard Stock Market Hours on Friday

On a normal Friday with no special event or holiday, stock markets operate with regular trading hours.

For example:

• US stock market regular hours:
  Opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon (local exchange time)
• Indian stock market (NSE and BSE):
  Regular weekday trading hours apply on Friday

So if you are asking, “Is the stock market open Friday?” under normal conditions, the answer is yes, with standard hours.

Why People Think the Stock Market Might Be Closed on Friday

There are several reasons why investors get confused about Fridays:

1. Holiday Fridays

Some public holidays fall on a Friday, causing markets to close completely.

2. Early Market Closures

Certain Fridays have shortened trading hours, especially before major holidays.

3. Global Market Differences

Not all countries observe the same holidays or trading schedules.

4. Extended Weekends

When Friday connects to a long weekend, trading volume may drop, leading people to assume the market is closed.

Stock Market Holidays That Fall on Friday

While the market is generally open on Fridays, there are specific holidays when markets close.

Examples include:

• Good Friday (closed in some countries and exchanges)
• Christmas Day if it falls on a Friday
• National holidays specific to a country

In the United States, Good Friday is one of the most commonly misunderstood dates. The US stock market is usually closed on Good Friday, even though it is not a federal holiday.

So on such occasions, the answer to “is the stock market open Friday?” becomes no.

Some Fridays are half trading days, meaning the market opens normally but closes earlier than usual.

These early closures usually happen:

• The Friday after Thanksgiving (US)
• The day before Christmas (if it falls on a weekday)
• Before major national holidays

On these days, trading activity is lower, and volatility can be higher due to reduced participation.

Is the Indian Stock Market Open on Friday?

Yes, Indian stock markets are open on Fridays under normal conditions.

The two main exchanges:

• National Stock Exchange (NSE)
• Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)

operate on Fridays like any other weekday unless there is a declared market holiday.

Indian market holidays are announced in advance by the exchanges, so traders can plan accordingly.

Is the US Stock Market Open Every Friday?

Most Fridays, yes.

The US stock market is open on Fridays except when:

• The Friday is a designated holiday
• The market announces a special closure
• The Friday has an early closing schedule

If there is no official holiday or announcement, trading happens as usual.

What Happens If a Holiday Falls on Saturday or Sunday?

This is another reason people ask whether the stock market is open Friday.

When a holiday falls on:

• Saturday: Markets may close on the preceding Friday
• Sunday: Markets may close on the following Monday

So in some cases, the market might be closed on Friday even if the actual holiday is on Saturday.

Trading Volume and Volatility on Fridays

Even when the stock market is open on Friday, trading behavior often changes.

Lower Trading Volume

Many institutional traders reduce activity before the weekend.

Profit Booking

Short-term traders often close positions to avoid weekend risk.

Higher End-of-Day Volatility

The last trading hour on Friday can see sharp price movements.

Because of these factors, Fridays feel different from other trading days.

Is It Safe to Trade on Fridays?

Yes, trading on Fridays is safe, but it requires awareness and strategy.

Investors should consider:

• Weekend news risk
• Reduced liquidity
• Wider bid-ask spreads

Long-term investors usually don’t worry about Friday trading, while short-term traders often adjust position sizes.

How Long-Term Investors Should Treat Fridays

For long-term investors, Fridays are simply another trading day.

If you invest for years rather than days:

• Friday price movements matter less
• Market closures are not a major concern
• Systematic investing continues as planned

So if you are wondering “is the stock market open Friday” from a long-term perspective, the answer is generally yes and it doesn’t change your strategy much.

How Day Traders View Fridays

Day traders often treat Fridays cautiously.

Reasons include:

• Positions usually closed before the weekend
• Unexpected news during weekends
• Lower participation in afternoon sessions

Some traders avoid Fridays entirely, while others focus on short, quick trades.

Global Stock Markets and Fridays

Different countries follow different rules.

Europe

Most European markets are open on Fridays except on regional holidays.

Middle East

Some countries observe Friday as a weekend day, so markets may be closed.

Asia

Markets like Japan, China, and India operate normally on Fridays unless there is a holiday.

So always check the local exchange calendar.

How to Check If the Stock Market Is Open This Friday

To avoid confusion, always verify market status.

You can check:

• Official stock exchange websites
• Broker trading calendars
• Financial news platforms
• Market holiday lists

This ensures you never miss a trading opportunity or place an order on a closed market.

Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading on Friday

In some markets like the US, trading is available outside normal hours.

Pre-Market

Happens before the regular session starts on Friday.

After-Hours

Continues after the regular Friday session closes.

However, these sessions have lower liquidity and higher risk.

Impact of Fridays on Options and Derivatives

Fridays are especially important for:

• Weekly options expiry
• Futures settlement
• Short-term derivatives strategies

Many contracts expire on Fridays, leading to higher activity earlier in the day.

Why “Is the Stock Market Open Friday” Is a Popular Search

This keyword is popular because:

• Investors fear missing trades
• Holiday schedules change every year
• Beginners find market calendars confusing
• Weekend risk creates uncertainty

Clear information helps investors trade with confidence.

Common Mistakes Investors Make About Fridays

Some common errors include:

• Assuming all Fridays are half days
• Forgetting holiday-adjusted closures
• Holding risky positions over weekends unknowingly
• Placing orders when the market is closed

Avoiding these mistakes starts with understanding market schedules.

Final Answer: Is the Stock Market Open Friday?

In most cases, yes, the stock market is open on Friday.

However, it may be closed or close early if:

• Friday is a market holiday
• A holiday falls on the weekend
• The exchange announces a special schedule

Always check the official calendar to be sure.

FAQs: Is the Stock Market Open Friday?

Is the stock market open every Friday?

No, the stock market is open on most Fridays, but it can be closed on certain holidays or special occasions.

Is the US stock market open on Friday?

Yes, the US stock market is usually open on Friday unless it is a designated market holiday or early closure day.

Is the Indian stock market open on Friday?

Yes, Indian stock markets are open on Fridays except on officially declared trading holidays.

Is the stock market open on Good Friday?

In many countries, including the US and India, stock markets are usually closed on Good Friday.

Does the stock market close early on Fridays?

Some Fridays have early closing hours, especially before major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Can I trade stocks on Friday like other days?

Yes, Friday is a regular trading day, but volume and volatility may differ from other weekdays.

Why is Friday trading different?

Many traders close positions before the weekend, which can affect liquidity and price movements.

Are global stock markets open on Friday?

Most global markets are open on Friday, but some regions treat Friday as a weekend day.

How can I confirm if the market is open this Friday?

Check the official website of the stock exchange or your broker’s trading calendar.

Should beginners trade on Fridays?

Beginners can trade on Fridays, but they should be cautious of weekend risks and lower liquidity.