You're looking for a specific number. A bell ring. A definitive 4:00 p.m. finish. But here is the thing: today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you're checking your portfolio and wondering why the numbers aren't moving, it’s because the major U.S. exchanges—the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq—don't trade on the weekends.
Basically, the stock market didn't close "today" because it never opened.
It’s easy to get turned around, especially with the 24/7 nature of crypto and the global economy. Honestly, even seasoned traders sometimes have to double-check the calendar when a long weekend looms. And we have a big one coming up right now.
What Time Did the Stock Market Close Today?
Since today is Saturday, the most relevant closing time is actually from yesterday, Friday, January 16, 2026.
The standard "closing bell" for the core trading session on both the NYSE and Nasdaq happened at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
However, "closing" is a bit of a loose term in 2026. While the floor traders head home, electronic systems keep humming. Most retail investors using apps like Robinhood or Schwab can participate in after-hours trading, which typically runs until 8:00 p.m. ET. If you're looking at a chart right now and see a price slightly different from the 4:00 p.m. print, that’s why.
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The Long Weekend Ahead
You should probably know that the market won't be opening Monday morning, either.
Monday, January 19, 2026, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It's a federal holiday, and according to the official NYSE Holiday Schedule, the markets will remain shuttered. This creates a three-day gap where liquidity dries up and the only thing moving is the news cycle.
If you're waiting to execute a trade, you've got a bit of a wait. The opening bell won't ring again until Tuesday, January 20, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Why the Weekend Pause Still Matters
In an era where you can buy a taco or a Tesla at 3:00 a.m. on a Sunday, why does the stock market still take weekends off? It feels kinda archaic, right?
The logic is mostly about stability and human sanity. Markets need a "cooling off" period. Without it, volatility would likely skyrocket as news breaks in the middle of the night without enough people awake to provide a rational counter-response. Plus, the institutional side—the big banks and hedge funds—needs time for back-office settlements and system maintenance.
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That doesn't mean nothing is happening.
- Futures Markets: While the "cash" market (stocks) is closed, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow will start trading again Sunday night around 6:00 p.m. ET.
- International Markets: Depending on the time zone, markets in Tokyo or Hong Kong might be active while you're sleeping on Sunday night.
- Crypto: Bitcoin doesn't care about MLK Day. It trades 24/7/365, often acting as a "canary in the coal mine" for sentiment before the stock market reopens on Tuesday.
What Happened Right Before the Friday Close?
To understand where we stand today, you have to look at how we finished the week.
On Friday, January 16, the market was navigating some interesting waters. We've been seeing a lot of chatter about high valuations—some analysts are even whispering about "dot-com" level bubbles—but the AI tailwinds continue to push the S&P 500 into record territory.
According to recent data from Barron's and MarketWatch, the tech sector remains the primary engine. But keep an eye on the "shutdown" hangover. Remember that 43-day government shutdown that ended back in November? Federal agencies are still catching up on delayed economic reports like retail sales and housing starts.
The lack of fresh, official data has made investors a little twitchy. When the "closing bell" hit at 4:00 p.m. yesterday, many traders were simply happy to lock in gains before the long weekend.
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Trading Hours Cheat Sheet (All Times ET)
If you’re trying to plan your Tuesday, here’s the breakdown of how the clock actually works on Wall Street:
- Pre-Market Session: 4:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Very thin volume, high risk).
- Core Trading Session: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (The main event).
- After-Hours Session: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Where earnings reports usually drop).
- Weekend/Holiday: Closed (That’s right now).
Actionable Steps for Your Portfolio This Weekend
Don't just stare at a static screen. Use the downtime.
First, check your open orders. Since the market is closed until Tuesday, any "Day" orders you placed on Friday that didn't fill have already expired. If you want those trades to happen on Tuesday, you'll need to re-enter them or use a "Good 'Til Canceled" (GTC) instruction.
Second, watch the futures on Sunday night. If the S&P 500 futures are down 1% on Sunday at 8:00 p.m., it gives you a head start on deciding whether you want to trim positions on Tuesday morning.
Lastly, enjoy the break. The market is a marathon, not a sprint. History shows that the most successful investors aren't the ones glued to the ticker on a Saturday; they're the ones who understand the schedule and wait for the right entry points.
Wall Street is quiet for now. Use the silence to get your strategy ready for the Tuesday open.