Nasdaq has received SEC approval to extend its equity trading hours from 16 to 23 hours per day. The exchange filed a proposal in December 2025 and was granted accelerated approval on April 10, 2026. The new trading hours, branded as 'global trading hours', will be divided into two sessions: 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET and 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. ET, with a one-hour technical pause in between.
Trading Hour Expansion
The expansion is designed to serve investors across time zones while maintaining liquidity, transparency, and protections. However, overnight sessions typically have thinner liquidity and wider bid-ask spreads. The SEC has scheduled a public roundtable for September 17, 2026, to discuss operational and regulatory preparations.
The December 6, 2026, launch date is contingent on infrastructure readiness, including the reliability of Securities Information Processors and clearing mechanisms. Industry stakeholders have identified data feed reliability and clearing process continuity as major hurdles that must be resolved before the launch.