Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re staring at your brokerage app hoping to catch some pre-market movement or place a sneaky limit order before the week starts, I’ve got some news for you. Basically, no. The U.S. stock market is not open today.
It’s Sunday. That’s the simple part.
But there is a massive "but" coming. This isn't just a normal weekend. Tomorrow is Monday, January 19, 2026, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Because it’s a federal holiday, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq are going to stay dark through tomorrow as well. You're looking at a long weekend where the ticker tapes won't start rolling again until Tuesday morning.
Is the Stock Market Open Today? The Sunday Reality Check
Honestly, it’s a common point of confusion. We live in a world where you can buy Bitcoin at 3:00 a.m. on a Tuesday or trade Forex almost around the clock. But the traditional equity markets—the places where you buy Apple, Nvidia, or Ford—still play by old-school rules. They like their weekends.
Since it’s currently Sunday, the NYSE and Nasdaq are closed. They don’t do weekend trading. If you’re seeing prices move on your screen right now, you’re likely looking at 24-hour "overnight" markets or crypto, not the actual stock exchange.
The MLK Day Factor for January 19, 2026
Tomorrow is where it gets tricky for people who forget to check the calendar. Usually, the market opens at 9:30 a.m. ET on Mondays. Not this time.
👉 See also: Bank of America Orland Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About Local Banking
Because of the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the markets are observing a full closure. This includes:
- The Big Two: NYSE and Nasdaq are both fully closed.
- The Bond Market: If you’re looking to trade Treasuries, you’re out of luck. SIFMA (the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) has recommended a full close.
- Pre-market and After-hours: There are zero extended sessions on Monday.
If you try to execute a trade tomorrow, it’ll just sit there in "pending" status until Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when the opening bell finally rings.
Why Some Numbers Still Move on Holidays
You might see "Futures" moving. That’s where the pros play. While the "cash" market (the actual stocks) is closed, CME Group futures—think S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100 futures—often trade on a truncated schedule during holidays.
For MLK Day 2026, futures will likely trade until about 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, then pause, and reopen later that evening for the Tuesday session. It’s kinda like a half-day for the big-money contracts. But for the average investor? You’re mostly a spectator until Tuesday.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Open" Hours
I’ve talked to plenty of folks who think that "closed" means everything stops. It doesn't.
✨ Don't miss: Are There Tariffs on China: What Most People Get Wrong Right Now
There's this thing called the "24/5" or even "24/7" trading cycle that some retail brokers like Robinhood or Charles Schwab offer. They use something called an ATS (Alternative Trading System). It lets you trade a limited selection of popular stocks even when the NYSE is technically closed. However, even these systems often shut down during major federal holidays like MLK Day because the underlying liquidity just isn't there.
If no one is at the big bank desks to move the billions of dollars, your $500 trade might get a "bad fill," meaning you pay a way higher price than you should because the "spread" (the gap between buyers and sellers) is huge.
The 2026 Market Holiday Calendar (The Big Ones)
Since we're early in the year, it’s worth marking your calendar. You don't want to be the person asking is the stock market open today every few weeks. Here is the 2026 lineup of when Wall Street takes a nap:
- New Year’s Day: January 1 (Closed)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19 (Closed)
- Presidents' Day: February 16 (Closed)
- Good Friday: April 3 (Closed)
- Memorial Day: May 25 (Closed)
- Juneteenth: June 19 (Closed)
- Independence Day: July 3 (Observed, since the 4th is a Saturday)
- Labor Day: September 7 (Closed)
- Thanksgiving: November 26 (Closed) - Note: November 27 is an early close at 1:00 p.m. ET.
- Christmas: December 25 (Closed)
Actionable Insights for the Long Weekend
Since you can't trade today or tomorrow, what should you actually do? Don't just sit there refreshing a dead chart.
1. Check Your Limit Orders
If you have "Good 'Til Canceled" (GTC) orders sitting out there, Tuesday morning might be volatile. Big news can happen over a long weekend. If something crazy happens in global politics or tech on Monday, the market might "gap" up or down on Tuesday morning. Make sure your buy or sell prices still make sense.
🔗 Read more: Adani Ports SEZ Share Price: Why the Market is kida Obsessed Right Now
2. Watch the Global Markets
Just because the U.S. is closed doesn't mean London, Tokyo, or Hong Kong are. The LSE (London Stock Exchange) will be open on Monday. Sometimes, how U.S. tech stocks trade in foreign markets gives you a "cheat sheet" for what will happen when the Nasdaq reopens on Tuesday.
3. Use the "Quiet Time" for Research
Honestly, the best trading is often done when the market is closed. Use today and tomorrow to read through those 10-K filings or analyst reports you’ve been ignoring. Without the stress of flashing red and green numbers, you can actually think clearly about your strategy.
4. Don't Forget the Banks
Since tomorrow is a federal holiday, banks are closed too. If you were planning on a wire transfer to fund your account for a big Tuesday trade, it probably won't process until Tuesday or Wednesday. Plan your cash flow accordingly.
The market is a marathon, not a sprint. A two-day break for MLK Day isn't going to ruin your portfolio. It’s actually a good reminder that even the most aggressive financial systems in the world need to pause once in a while.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Keep your eyes on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET—that’s when the real action starts back up. Tuesday's volume is often higher than usual because of the pent-up demand from the long weekend, so expect a bit of a roller coaster when the opening bell finally rings.