Published on: 2026-01-15
If you're considering trading U.S. markets in January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of those holidays that can unexpectedly cause issues. The short answer is simple.
No, the U.S. stock market is not open on MLK Day in 2026. The holiday falls on Monday, January 19, 2026, and the U.S. equity and options markets are closed.
That means:
NYSE-listed stocks are not trading.
Nasdaq-listed stocks are not trading.
U.S equity options markets that follow the U.S holiday schedule are closed.
Regular stock market trading resumes on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
| Market | MLK Day (Mon, 19 Jan 2026) | What you should expect |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks (NYSE) | Closed | No regular session, no opening/closing auctions. |
| US stocks (Nasdaq) | Closed | No regular session; orders will not execute on-exchange. |
| US equity & options holiday schedule | Closed | US-listed options tied to the equity holiday calendar do not trade. |
| US bond market (USD fixed income) | Full market close recommended | Many desks treat it as closed; liquidity is effectively off. |
| Selected US futures (Cboe futures) | Limited sessions | No "regular" hours; only extended sessions around the holiday. |
If you are trading U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, or listed options, you should plan for no regular session that day.
| Session | New York (ET) | London (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| US Stock Market open | 9:30 a.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
| US Stock Market close | 4:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
Although MLK Day is a holiday, it's useful to be aware of the regular hours for Tuesday.
During a standard business day, the main trading hours of the NYSE are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, with additional sessions scheduled around it based on the location and instrument.
| Market | Open or closed on Monday, Jan 19, 2026? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. listed stocks and ETFs (NYSE, Nasdaq listings) | Closed | No regular U.S. equity session. |
| U.S. listed options | Closed | Options markets follow the equity holiday schedule. |
| U.S. bond market (U.S. dollar fixed income) | Closed | Industry recommendation for a full close on MLK Day. |
| U.S. equity index futures | Limited hours | Often trades in shortened windows around the holiday. |
| Spot FX | Open | FX is decentralised and typically runs through the global week. Liquidity can be thinner. |
| Crypto | Open | Crypto trades 24/7. Liquidity often concentrates while equities are closed. |
Two practical points to note:
Most retail investors cannot trade U.S.-listed shares on MLK Day because the listing exchanges are closed.
Not everything stops moving. Futures, FX, and cryptocurrencies can continue to trade, and news can still emerge. That is why Tuesday can open with a gap.
Even with cash equities shut, information continues circulating.
When traders know Monday is closed, they often reduce risk earlier. That can make Friday's close feel more important than usual, especially for options positioning and for funds that rebalance on a weekly schedule.
Two calendar days of headlines can accumulate without a listed equity session to digest them. If futures trade in reduced windows and liquidity is thin, the first full equity reaction can land at Tuesday's open.
If you are planning ahead, here are the next major U.S. equity market holidays after MLK Day on the 2026 schedule:
| Holiday | 2026 date | Market status |
|---|---|---|
| Presidents’ Day | Monday, February 16, 2026 | Closed |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3, 2026 | Closed |
No. NYSE and Nasdaq are closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Normal U.S. stock trading resumes on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the regular 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET session.
Many brokers allow order entry, but orders do not execute on U.S. exchanges while the market is closed. Check your order type and expiration rules with your broker.
In summary, U.S. stock markets will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Both the NYSE and Nasdaq follow the holiday closure for U.S. equity and options markets. The bond market is also expected to be closed.
If you trade around this holiday, the goal is not to predict a big move. The goal is to avoid preventable mistakes. You should clean up orders before the weekend, respect thinner liquidity in any holiday-session futures trading, and be ready for a more active Tuesday open as the market catches up.
Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
