If you’re staring at your portfolio today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, wondering why the numbers aren't moving, the answer is pretty simple: the stock market is closed today.
It’s Sunday. Weekends are the one time Wall Street actually takes a breath. But honestly, even if you’re a weekend warrior who loves tracking pre-market data, today is the start of a very weird, slightly confusing three-day stretch for investors.
Since today is Sunday, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are both shut down tight. No regular sessions, no after-hours, nothing. But tomorrow isn't a normal Monday either. Because we're heading into the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on January 19, the markets are staying closed for an extra 24 hours.
Did the Stock Market Close Today for a Special Reason?
Regular weekend rules apply today. The stock market is closed every Saturday and Sunday, but the timing this week is what catches people off guard.
Most people searching for "did the stock market close today" are usually trying to figure out if they missed an early closing or if a holiday shifted the schedule. Since January 18, 2026, is a Sunday, the market is closed for its standard weekend break. However, the federal holiday for MLK Day falls on Monday, January 19.
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This means the "closing" actually extends. You won't see the opening bell ring at 9:30 a.m. ET tomorrow. You’re looking at a full long weekend where the equity markets are completely dark.
The 2026 Holiday Ripple Effect
Every year, the NYSE and Nasdaq publish a list of specific holidays where they pull the plug. Usually, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the market closes on the following Monday. Since MLK Day is always a Monday, it’s a guaranteed three-day hiatus.
If you’re trading options or trying to settle a trade from last Friday, keep in mind that these "closed" days don't count toward settlement cycles (T+1). A trade you made on Friday, Jan 16, won't technically settle until Tuesday, Jan 20, because both today and tomorrow are "dead days" for the banking system.
When Does the Market Actually Open Again?
You’ll have to wait until Tuesday, January 20, 2026, for things to get back to normal.
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On Tuesday, the standard schedule resumes:
- Pre-Market Trading: Starts as early as 4:00 a.m. ET (though liquidity is thin).
- Core Trading Session: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
- After-Hours Trading: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
It's kinda funny how quiet the financial world gets during these breaks. While crypto never sleeps—Bitcoin and Ethereum are likely bouncing around as you read this—the "traditional" world of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds is basically on a beach somewhere until Tuesday morning.
Is Anything Else Open Today?
While the big guys like the NYSE are off, the financial world isn't 100% paralyzed.
- Cryptocurrency: As mentioned, this is the 24/7 exception. If you have the itch to trade at 3:00 p.m. on a Sunday, this is pretty much your only sandbox.
- Futures: Most futures markets (oil, gold, S&P 500 futures) actually "re-open" on Sunday evenings. Usually around 6:00 p.m. ET, the globex sessions start humming. It’s a great way to see how the world is reacting to news before the actual stock market opens.
- International Markets: Depending on the time zone, some overseas markets might be gearing up for their Monday morning while it's still Sunday in New York. However, with the U.S. closed on Monday, global volume is usually much lower than normal.
Why the Sunday Closure Still Matters for Your Strategy
A lot of people think a closed market means "nothing is happening." That’s a mistake.
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Historically, long weekends like this one are when "gap risk" happens. If some massive geopolitical event occurs tonight or tomorrow while the market is closed, the price of a stock might "gap" up or down significantly when it finally opens on Tuesday.
Basically, the price you saw at 4:00 p.m. last Friday might be nowhere near the price at 9:30 a.m. this Tuesday. Professional traders often hedge their positions before a long weekend just to avoid getting caught in a gap they can't trade out of.
Actionable Steps for Your Sunday
- Check your orders: If you put in a "limit order" over the weekend, remember it won't even be looked at until Tuesday morning.
- Watch the Futures: Keep an eye on CME Globex tonight around 6:00 p.m. ET. If the futures are red, expect a rocky start to the week on Tuesday.
- Review your Settlement: If you're waiting for cash to clear from a sale last week, add an extra day to your mental calendar because of the Monday holiday.
The market is taking a breather, and honestly, you probably should too. Use the Sunday silence to look at the macro trends rather than the minute-by-minute candles. The charts will be there on Tuesday.