If you’re staring at your ticker and wondering if you have time for that extra cup of coffee before the closing bell, I’ve got the answer for you. Honestly, checking the market schedule is one of those things every trader forgets to do until they’re right in the middle of a session.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The short answer is no. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will not close early today. It’s a regular Wednesday in the middle of January, which means the floor will stay busy until the standard 4:00 p.m. ET closing bell.
Why Does the NYSE Close Early Today? (Hint: It Doesn't)
There’s a lot of noise online about market hours, but let’s look at the actual calendar. For a day to have an early 1:00 p.m. ET close, it usually has to sit right next to a major federal holiday. Think Christmas Eve or the Friday after Thanksgiving. Today is just January 14. No major holidays are falling on this specific Wednesday, and the NYSE Group—which includes the NYSE Arca and NYSE American—is running on its standard schedule.
The next time the market takes a breather is actually coming up quite soon, but it’s not an early close. It's a full closure. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 19, 2026. On that day, the exchange is shut down completely. No trades, no floor activity, nothing.
Understanding the Standard NYSE Schedule
The market rhythm is pretty predictable once you get the hang of it. Unless there’s a scheduled holiday or a rare "circuit breaker" event (which usually only happens when the market is panicking), you can rely on these hours:
The core trading session starts at 9:30 a.m. ET. This is when the "Opening Bell" rings. The session runs straight through lunch—the NYSE doesn't close for a mid-day break like some international exchanges in Tokyo or Hong Kong—and ends at 4:00 p.m. ET.
What About After-Hours Trading?
Just because the floor closes doesn't mean the numbers stop moving. Most retail platforms allow for extended-hours trading. This usually kicks off right at 4:00 p.m. and can run until 8:00 p.m. ET. It’s worth noting that volume is way lower during these times. Spreads get wider. It’s a bit of a "Wild West" scenario where prices can jump around on tiny amounts of news.
The 2026 Early Closing Calendar
If you're planning your trading year, you should mark these specific dates. These are the only days in 2026 where the NYSE actually closes its doors early at 1:00 p.m. ET:
Friday, July 3, 2026. This is the day before Independence Day is observed. Since July 4th falls on a Saturday, the market observes it on Friday but closes early to let everyone get a head start on their holiday weekend.
The next one is Friday, November 27, 2026. That’s the day after Thanksgiving. It’s a tradition. The market opens at 9:30 a.m. but everyone is usually too full of turkey to stay past 1:00 p.m.
Finally, Thursday, December 24, 2026. Christmas Eve is almost always a half-day. If you have open positions, you'll want to manage them before lunch because the liquidity disappears fast once the clock hits noon.
Unplanned Closures: When the Schedule Breaks
Sometimes the question "does the NYSE close early today" has a more dramatic answer. We’ve seen the market close for technical glitches, extreme weather like Superstorm Sandy, or national days of mourning.
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In those cases, the NYSE usually issues a "Trader Update" through their official portal. If you ever see prices stop moving on a day that should be open, check the NYSE Status page immediately. It’s rare, but it happens.
Actionable Steps for Traders
- Check the Clock: If you’re trading from the West Coast, remember that a 4:00 p.m. ET close means your day ends at 1:00 p.m. PT.
- Monitor MLK Day: Since today is the 14th, you only have a few more sessions before the long weekend starting January 19. Markets tend to get "choppy" on the Friday before a long weekend as people de-risk their portfolios.
- Watch the Bonds: Sometimes the bond market (SIFMA) has different early close rules than the stock market. If you trade ETFs like TLT or AGG, those can be affected by bond market hours even if the NYSE is still technically open.
- Automate Your Alerts: Set a calendar reminder for July 3, November 27, and December 24 right now. It prevents that heart-stopping moment when you realize you can't exit a position because the market just went dark.
The markets are open for business as usual today. Use the full session to your advantage.