what time does the stock market close mountain time

What time does the stock market close Mountain Time

Brief summary: The question what time does the stock market close mountain time asks for the U.S. equity market closing time expressed in Mountain Time (MT). The short headline answer is that the regular NYSE/Nasdaq core market session normally closes at 2:00 PM Mountain Time. Extended-hours trading and special early-close days are exceptions that can change local closing times; always confirm with your broker or the exchange before trading.

Quick answer

The regular NYSE/Nasdaq trading session closes at 2:00 PM Mountain Time. In typical conversions, the normal core session runs 9:30 AM–4:00 PM Eastern Time, which corresponds to 7:30 AM–2:00 PM Mountain Time. If you need a single-sentence response: what time does the stock market close mountain time — 2:00 PM MT during regular sessions.

Regular market hours (U.S. equities)

U.S. equity exchanges (NYSE and Nasdaq) define a core trading session often called "regular market hours." These are the hours when most retail and institutional trading activity occurs, and when official closing auctions and settlement references are set.

• Standard core session in Eastern Time (ET): 9:30 AM–4:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday, excluding market holidays and exchange-declared early-close days.
• Standard core session in Mountain Time (MT): 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT, Monday through Friday, excluding market holidays and early closures.

As of January 1, 2026, according to the NYSE official trading hours and calendar, the NYSE core session remains 9:30 AM–4:00 PM ET on regular trading days. That converts to 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT in the Mountain Time Zone.

Conversion rule and example

Conversion between Eastern Time and Mountain Time is straightforward most of the year: ET → MT is typically a 2-hour difference (ET is two hours ahead of MT). Examples:

• Market open: 9:30 AM ET = 7:30 AM MT.
• Market close: 4:00 PM ET = 2:00 PM MT.

Because many people ask "what time does the stock market close mountain time" for planning trades, the key conversion above answers the question directly. Keep in mind exceptions for daylight saving changes and special regional rules (see Time zones, daylight saving, and regional exceptions below).

Extended-hours trading (pre-market and after-hours)

Extended-hours trading refers to trading that happens outside the regular core session. Many brokers and electronic communication networks (ECNs) support pre-market and after-hours trading with different liquidity and execution characteristics.

• Pre-market: trading that occurs before 9:30 AM ET (before 7:30 AM MT).
• After-hours: trading that occurs after 4:00 PM ET (after 2:00 PM MT).

Extended hours are useful for reacting to overnight news, earnings announcements, or economic data that occur before or after the core session.

Typical windows (broker variations)

Brokerage platforms and trading venues publish slightly different extended-hours windows. Examples based on broker-published schedules and industry references:

• ETRADE / Power ETRADE (published tables): pre-market often begins at 5:00 AM MT (7:00 AM ET) or earlier depending on the platform; core session 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT; after-hours commonly run 2:00 PM–6:00 PM MT.
• thinkorswim educational resources: list Mountain Time conversions similar to the above and indicate broker-specific start/end windows for pre-/post-market sessions.
• Retail platforms such as Cash App and Stash report regular session 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT, with extended-hours availability varying by account type and platform.

Note: these exact start and end times for extended sessions differ by broker, account type, and routing rules. Some brokers allow earlier pre-market trades (for example, as early as 5:00 AM MT or earlier) and extend after-hours as late as 6:00 PM MT; others have narrower windows.

Risks and limitations of extended-hours trading

Trading outside the core session involves practical differences and risks to consider:

• Lower liquidity: fewer buyers and sellers can mean trades move prices more.
• Wider spreads: bid/ask spreads often widen in extended hours.
• Price impact and volatility: news-driven moves can be sharp with limited counterparty interest.
• Order-type restrictions: many brokers limit allowed order types in extended sessions (e.g., some disallow market orders or certain conditional orders).
• Execution venues: extended trades may route through ECNs with different fees and execution quality.

For Mountain Time traders asking "what time does the stock market close mountain time?" the strict answer (2:00 PM MT) applies to the regular session, but many platforms let you trade after 2:00 PM MT in after-hours windows that vary by broker.

Time zones, daylight saving, and regional exceptions

Understanding time zones and daylight saving time (DST) is essential when converting exchange hours. There are two relevant Mountain Time conventions:

• Mountain Standard Time (MST): UTC−7.
• Mountain Daylight Time (MDT): UTC−6 (observed during daylight saving months).

Most of the Mountain Time Zone observes DST and therefore switches between MST and MDT on dates that align with U.S. federal DST rules. During DST (spring through early November), Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) remains a 2-hour difference. During standard time (winter months) the offset also remains 2 hours between Eastern Standard Time (EST) and MST. In other words, the ET→MT conversion of 9:30 AM ET = 7:30 AM MT and 4:00 PM ET = 2:00 PM MT generally holds year-round for most locations in the Mountain Time Zone.

Important regional exception — Arizona:

• Arizona does not observe DST (except for the Navajo Nation). As a result, when other Mountain Time locations are on MDT (UTC−6), most of Arizona remains on MST (UTC−7) and the offset from ET changes. During spring/summer DST months, the time difference between ET and Arizona can be 3 hours instead of 2. That affects local Mountain Time conversions if you are physically in Arizona.

How to convert reliably

To avoid mistakes when you rely on the precise closing time, follow these steps:

1. Confirm whether your local area observes DST and whether it is currently in effect.
2. Check your broker's displayed timestamps (many brokers show exchange times and local times).
3. Use the exchange or broker's official trading hours page for the current date.
4. When in doubt, convert from Eastern Time (the exchange local reference) to your local time zone using a trusted clock or calendar app that accounts for DST.

As a practical rule for most Mountain Time locations (outside Arizona during DST months), you can treat the market close as 2:00 PM MT for ordinary trading days.

Early closes and market holidays

The exchanges publish a calendar with scheduled market holidays and occasional early-close days (usually the day before a major market holiday). Early closes are commonly at 1:00 PM ET (which converts to 11:00 AM MT) or at other times depending on the exchange announcement.

• Example early-close conversion: If the exchange announces a 1:00 PM ET early close, that corresponds to 11:00 AM MT (or 12:00 PM in Arizona during DST depending on local rules).
• Holiday closures: standard U.S. market holidays (New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) result in full-day closures; always consult the NYSE/Nasdaq holiday calendar and your broker’s notices.

As of January 1, 2026, according to NYSE’s trading hours and holiday calendar, scheduled early closes and full holiday closures remain in effect on their posted dates. Traders asking what time does the stock market close mountain time should check the calendar ahead of holidays to see if the usual 2:00 PM MT close is changed to an earlier time.

Annual holiday schedule

The primary holidays observed by U.S. stock exchanges include (typical examples; verify each year): New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Early-close days commonly include the day before Independence Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve if it falls on a weekday.

Always confirm the exact schedule with the exchange and your broker each year; calendars and early-close decisions can vary.

Differences by instrument (stocks, options, futures, ETFs)

Not all instruments follow the same trading windows. Mountain Time traders should be aware of the differences.

• Stocks and ETFs: Equities and most ETFs primarily follow the exchange core session (7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT) and may be available in extended hours depending on broker support.
• Options: Options trading hours can differ. Many options trading venues restrict activity to the core session; some do not permit extended-hour trading for options at all. Closing auctions and settlement processes affect options pricing and exercise considerations.
• Futures: Futures products (e.g., equity index futures) often trade nearly 24 hours on electronic exchanges with short daily maintenance windows. Futures times must be converted separately to Mountain Time — they do not necessarily align with equity core hours. For example, some equity index futures have electronic trading that spans evening and overnight sessions with daily settlement at a fixed hour.

Options and closing auctions

Closing auctions and official settlement events occur at or shortly after the regular market close (4:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM MT). These auctions determine official closing prices used for index calculations, option settlement, and portfolio valuations. For traders, the closing auction is a period with high trading interest and potential price impact, so knowing the local time for the auction matters. When you ask what time does the stock market close mountain time, remember that closing auctions and settlement references align to the core close time in ET and therefore to 2:00 PM MT for most Mountain Time areas.

Broker/platform variations and examples

Brokers publish their own trading hours and may route orders differently during extended sessions. Below are illustrative examples drawn from broker resources and learning centers. Always check your broker for the most current hours.

• ETRADE / Power ETRADE (example published table):
  • Pre-market (example): begins as early as 5:00 AM MT (some products/platforms may allow earlier).
  • Regular session: 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT.
  • After-hours: 2:00 PM–6:00 PM MT.
• thinkorswim: broker learning materials list Mountain Time conversions consistent with the 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT regular session and provide guidance on their pre-/post-market windows.
• Cash App / Stash / Stockanalysis: retail-focused resources indicate the standard regular session for U.S. equities is 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT, with extended hours varying by platform and subject to account and instrument limitations.

In every case above, the core market close in MT remains 2:00 PM on regular trading days; after-hours availability and exact window boundaries are platform-dependent.

How to confirm your broker’s times

1. Check the broker’s official help pages or trading hours FAQ in your account portal.
2. Look at order entry screens — some brokers display the session (regular vs extended) and accepted order types.
3. Contact broker support for clarification on extended-hours order types and execution guarantees.
4. Use server timestamps on trade confirmations to verify the session in which your order executed.

If you are using Bitget for trading or custody, consult Bitget’s help pages or in-app documentation for Bitget’s market hours and wallet features. For Web3 or crypto-native assets, Bitget Wallet may provide time-aware tools and notifications to help plan trades relative to fiat market hours.

Practical considerations for Mountain Time traders

When planning trades around the question what time does the stock market close mountain time, keep these pragmatic items in mind.

• Order type selection: Many brokers restrict market orders during extended hours. Use limit orders to control price and reduce unexpected fills in low-liquidity sessions.
• Settlement times: U.S. equities settled under T+2 rules (trade date plus two business days). Settlement timing is independent of your local clock but impacts when cash and securities are available for withdrawal or settlement.
• After-hours fills and price discovery: Trades executed after 2:00 PM MT may not represent the same liquidity as the core session; they can affect portfolio valuations if your broker timestamps trades differently.
• Time-zone-aware alarms: Set alarms or calendar reminders in your local time zone (MT) to catch pre-market opens or the 2:00 PM MT close. Many traders set alerts 15–30 minutes before the close to prepare for end-of-day decisions.

Order types and execution during different sessions

• Market orders: often not accepted in pre- and after-market sessions due to price risk; some brokers will decline or convert them to limit orders.
• Limit orders: commonly accepted across sessions; they provide price control but may not execute.
• Conditional orders and routing: advanced order types (e.g., fill-or-kill) may not be honored outside core hours.

Always confirm the allowed order types for pre- and after-market sessions with your broker to avoid unintended executions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Does the market ever close earlier or later in Mountain Time?

A: Yes. Scheduled early closes (for certain holidays) and exchange-specific decisions can move the regular close earlier (for example, an early close announced at 1:00 PM ET converts to 11:00 AM MT). Extended-hours trading means you may still trade after the 2:00 PM MT core close on some platforms.

Q: What about daylight saving — does the close time change in Mountain Time?

A: For most Mountain Time locations, the regular core close remains 2:00 PM MT before and after DST changes because both Eastern and Mountain switches maintain a two-hour offset. Arizona (most of the state) is an exception during DST months and may observe a different offset.

Q: Do cryptocurrencies follow the same hours?

A: No. Cryptocurrencies trade 24/7 on crypto exchanges and through wallets. If you are comparing crypto activity to U.S. equity hours, remember that equity markets have defined session hours while crypto markets are continuous.

Q: If I live in Arizona, when does the stock market close local time?

A: During months when the rest of Mountain Time observes DST, Arizona remains on MST, which can create a three-hour difference to ET. For example, when exchanges are on EDT (UTC−4), a 4:00 PM ET close would be 1:00 PM in much of Arizona (UTC−7), not 2:00 PM. Confirm by checking local time conversion or your broker’s timezone settings.

References and further reading

As of January 1, 2026, the following sources provide published trading hours and exchange calendars: NYSE official trading hours and holiday calendar, ETRADE / Power ETRADE published trading-hours tables, thinkorswim learning center time-conversion resources, Cash App and Stash help pages outlining market hours, and Stockanalysis pages summarizing extended hours and Mountain Time conversions. Check your broker and the exchange for the most up-to-date hours and holiday notices.

Sources used in this article (reporting date noted):

• As of January 1, 2026, according to NYSE trading hours and holiday calendar reporting, regular core session remains 9:30 AM–4:00 PM ET (7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT for most Mountain Time locations).
• As of January 1, 2026, according to Power E*TRADE published tables, typical Mountain Time conversions show pre-market, regular, and after-hours windows such as pre-market 5:00 AM MT (varies), regular 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT, and after-hours 2:00 PM–6:00 PM MT (platform-dependent).
• As of January 1, 2026, according to thinkorswim learning resources, conversion examples match the 2-hour ET→MT rule and illustrate broker-specific extended-hour windows.
• As of January 1, 2026, Cash App and Stash help pages list standard regular U.S. equity session as 7:30 AM–2:00 PM MT and caution that extended-hours availability varies.

Verify with your broker’s current documentation before trading.

Notes on accuracy and variability

The regular U.S. equity market close is 2:00 PM Mountain Time under normal conditions for most Mountain Time locations. However, extended trading windows, broker-defined hours, early-close days, and regional DST differences (especially Arizona) can change the local closing time or the time at which you can still trade. Always verify the applicable hours with your broker and with the official exchange calendar before placing trades.

Further exploration and tools

• If you want a quick reference card: remember the core conversion — 9:30 AM ET = 7:30 AM MT and 4:00 PM ET = 2:00 PM MT — that answers what time does the stock market close mountain time for most traders.
• For Web3 and crypto asset users, consider Bitget Wallet for time-aware notifications and Bitget exchange documentation for how spot and derivative markets align with fiat market hours.

If you’d like, I can produce a printable ET→MT conversion table, a broker comparison table for extended-hours windows, or a short checklist for placing orders near the 2:00 PM MT close.

Ready to manage your time-sensitive trades? Explore Bitget’s platform features and Bitget Wallet tools to help you trade with clarity around market hours and local time.