If you're looking at your calendar and wondering what time does the stock market close on July 3rd, you're probably planning a long weekend or trying to squeeze in one last trade before the holiday. It’s a common question, but here is the thing: the answer actually changes depending on which year we are talking about.
In 2026, the situation is a bit different than the "early close" routine you might be used to. Because Independence Day (July 4th) falls on a Saturday this year, the stock market won't just close early on July 3rd—it will be closed all day long.
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What time does the stock market close on July 3rd in 2026?
Honestly, if you show up to trade on Friday, July 3rd, 2026, you're going to find a very quiet screen. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq observe Independence Day on the preceding Friday when the 4th falls on a Saturday.
Basically, this means:
- NYSE: Closed all day.
- Nasdaq: Closed all day.
- Bond Markets: Closed all day.
If you were actually looking for the "early close" day—the day where everyone ducks out at 1:00 p.m. ET—that’s going to happen on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Wall Street loves a head start on the fireworks, so the exchanges cut the session short the day before the observed holiday.
Breaking down the 2026 Independence Day Schedule
It's kinda confusing because most years July 3rd is just a "half-day." But since 2026 has the actual holiday on a weekend, the "observed" holiday shifts. Here is how the schedule looks for the week:
- Wednesday, July 1: Normal trading hours (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET).
- Thursday, July 2: Early Close at 1:00 p.m. ET. (Bond markets usually wrap up by 2:00 p.m. ET).
- Friday, July 3: Closed (Independence Day observed).
- Monday, July 6: Normal trading resumes.
Why the early close happens at all
You've probably noticed that the market doesn't just do this for July 4th. It happens around Thanksgiving and Christmas too. The 1:00 p.m. ET closing time is a tradition sanctioned by the SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association).
They aren't just being nice to the traders. Liquidity—which is just a fancy way of saying "the amount of buying and selling happening"—usually tanks before a major holiday. When there aren't many people trading, prices can get wonky and volatile. To avoid weird "flash crashes" or massive swings on low volume, the exchanges just call it a day early.
It's also worth noting that "after-hours" trading is affected too. On an early-close day like July 2nd, the late trading sessions usually wrap up by 5:00 p.m. ET instead of the usual 8:00 p.m. ET. If you are a retail trader using an app like Robinhood or Charles Schwab, your ability to execute trades will likely follow these exchange rules to the minute.
What about the Bond Market?
The bond market is a whole different animal, but it generally follows the same vibe as the stocks. SIFMA usually recommends a 2:00 p.m. ET close for bonds on the day before a holiday.
For 2026, the bond market will also be fully closed on Friday, July 3rd. If you are dealing with Treasury bonds or municipal debt, you'll need to get your business done before the 2:00 p.m. bell on Thursday, July 2nd.
Don't get caught in the "Low Liquidity" trap
Trading right before a holiday close can be risky. You might think you're getting a great price, but because the "big banks" and institutional players have already headed to the Hamptons or the lake, the "bid-ask spread" (the gap between what sellers want and what buyers offer) can widen significantly.
Basically, you might pay more than you intended or sell for less than you hoped. Most pros suggest finishing your "must-do" trades by mid-morning on an early-close day.
Practical Next Steps for Your Portfolio
Since the market is closed on July 3rd, 2026, you should handle your rebalancing or positioning by the morning of July 2nd. Make sure any "Good 'til Cancelled" (GTC) orders you have sitting out there won't be triggered by a weird, low-volume price swing during the shortened Thursday session.
Double-check your brokerage app's specific rules for "extended hours" on July 2nd, as some platforms cut off access even earlier than the 5:00 p.m. ET exchange limit. Once you've squared away your positions, you can safely ignore the tickers until Monday morning.