You can put this Stock Market Clock Widget in your Windows Vista Sidebar!

The clock keeps you up-to-date with the status of the US Stock Market. It will tell you exactly how much time is remaining till the markets Open or Close. The clock will start blinking a few seconds before the market is about to open or close.

Here are some general rules that apply to the US Stock Market holidays closure schedule:

• The Day after Thanksgiving is not an official holiday; however, the market has a tradition of closing at 1:00 p.m. on this day.
• When any holiday that is observed by the stock market or stock exchange falls on a Saturday, then the market will not be open for business on the proceeding Friday.
• When any holiday that is observed by the stock market or stock exchange falls on a Sunday, then the market will not be open for business on the following Monday.

Some of these holidays move around, depending on the calendar year.  Here are a couple of rules for those holidays:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January
• President's Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February 
• Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May

There are essentially 3 types of before hours & after hours markets.

US exchange after hour
The NYSE and ASE markets provide crossing sessions in which matching buy and sell orders can be executed at 5:00 p.m. based on the exchanges 4p.m.(EST TIME) closing prices. The BSE and PSE have post primary sessions that operate from 4 to 4:15. CHX & PCX operate their postprimary sess$ until 4:30 p.m. Additionally CHX has an E Session to handle limit orders from 4:30 to 6:30p.m.

Foreign exchange after hour markets
Several foreign exchanges also trade certain NYSE listed stocks. Hours are governed by those individual markets.

ECN after hour markets.
Electronic communication networks (ECNs) have allowed institutions to participate in after-market trades since 1975; individuals joined the party 1999. Typically, extended-hour trades must be done with limit orders.

What brokers offer ECN access and extended hours?

Ameritrade (via Island ECN)
Hours: 8am-8pm Eastern; limit orders only during extended hours.

E*Trade (via Archipelago ECN)
Hours: 8am-8pm Eastern; limit orders only during extended hours. Note that eextended-hours orders can be placed even during regular market hours$ these orders may be filled during normal or extended-trading hours.

Fidelity (via Redibook)
Hours: 7:30-915am and 4:15-8:00pm EST; restrictions on order types.

Harris Direct (via Redibook ECN)
Hours: 8-9:15am and 4:15-7pm Eastern; limit orders only; round lots.

Schwab (via Redibook ECN)
Hours: 7:30-9:15am and 4:15-8pm Eastern, Monday - Friday; limit orders only.

TD Waterhouse
Hours: 7:30-9:30am and 4:15-7:00pm EST Most of the after-hours markets function as crossing markets. That is, your order and my opposing order are filled only if they can be matched (ex:crossed). In an extreme example, the new Market XT requires ONLY limit orders.

Isthemarketopen[HagensMedia, LLC], is not liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance on any content. Of course we try and be as accurate as possible, however, time data is provided for information purposes on a 'best efforts' basis and is not intended for trading purposes. Furthermore, All data and information is provided "as is" for personal informational purposes only, and is not intended for commercial or trading purposes. Please consult your broker or financial representative to verify if the market is open before executing any trade.