So you're checking your portfolio and wondering if you can actually trade this coming Monday. It’s a classic question. Honestly, the answer depends entirely on which Monday we’re talking about and what the federal calendar looks like. If you're looking at Monday, January 19, 2026, the short answer is no. The doors are locked.
The U.S. stock market—including the heavy hitters like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq—will be closed this Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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It’s one of those rare weekdays where the tickers stop blinking. You might see some movement in international markets or very specific futures contracts, but for the average person buying Apple shares or Vanguard ETFs, the market is essentially a ghost town.
Is the Stock Market Open Monday? The Short Answer
If you try to place a market order on Monday, January 19, it’s just going to sit there. Most brokerage apps like Robinhood or Fidelity will let you "queue" the order, but it won't actually execute until the opening bell on Tuesday morning.
The markets don't just take a day off for any reason. They follow a strict federal schedule. Since MLK Day is a federal holiday, the major exchanges shut down completely. This includes:
- The NYSE (New York Stock Exchange)
- The Nasdaq
- Bond markets (which usually follow SIFMA recommendations)
- OTC markets (Over-the-Counter)
If you're a crypto trader, though, you've probably realized by now that Bitcoin doesn't care about federal holidays. Crypto stays open 24/7, 365 days a year. But for stocks? You're out of luck until Tuesday.
Why the Stock Market Stays Closed
It’s kinda interesting how this works. The stock market isn't required to close just because it's a federal holiday, but they almost always do to stay in sync with the banking system. Since banks are closed, clearing trades becomes a logistical nightmare.
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The NYSE only officially started observing MLK Day in 1998. Before that, it was a normal trading day. Now, it’s a standard part of the annual 9-holiday schedule the market follows.
What About Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading?
This is where people get tripped up. You might think, "Well, maybe I can trade in the early morning session?"
Nope.
When the market is closed for a holiday like MLK Day, the extended hours sessions are also canceled. There is no 4:00 AM ET early bird trading. There is no late-night session on Monday evening. Everything basically freezes from the Friday afternoon close until the Tuesday morning pre-market.
The Weird World of Monday Holidays
Not every Monday is a holiday, but several of them are. If you're planning your trading year, you should keep an eye on these specific 2026 dates where "is the stock market open Monday" will definitely be a "no":
- January 19 (MLK Day)
- February 16 (Presidents' Day / Washington's Birthday)
- May 25 (Memorial Day)
- September 7 (Labor Day)
If a holiday like Independence Day or Christmas falls on a Sunday, the market usually observes it on the following Monday. For example, in 2027, July 4th is a Sunday, so the market will close on Monday, July 5th. But for 2026, July 4th falls on a Saturday, so the market actually closes on Friday, July 3rd. It's a bit of a moving target.
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Trading Futures on a Holiday
If you’re a futures trader, things are a little different. CME Group and Cboe often have abbreviated hours. For instance, on MLK Day, many futures products (like S&P 500 E-minis) might trade until 1:00 PM ET and then halt. It's not a total blackout like the equity market, but it’s definitely not "business as usual."
Always check the specific CME holiday calendar if you're playing with contracts, because getting caught in a low-liquidity holiday session is a great way to lose money on weird price spikes.
What History Says About the MLK Trading Week
There’s some fascinating data from analysts like those at Schaeffer’s Investment Research. Historically, the week of MLK Day hasn't been great for stocks. Since 1998, the S&P 500 has actually tended to struggle during this shortened week.
Maybe it’s because people are coming back from a long weekend and re-evaluating their positions, or maybe it’s just a statistical fluke. Either way, the "Tuesday after" is often a bit volatile.
Actionable Steps for Your Monday Off
Since you can't trade, you might as well use the time productively. Here is what savvy investors actually do when the market is closed:
Review your stop-losses. Since the market is closed, you have a "static" environment to look at your positions without the stress of moving prices. Make sure your exits are still where you want them.
Analyze the previous week. Use the quiet time to look at the charts from the week before. Did you miss a signal? Was there a volume spike you didn't notice because you were busy?
Check the earnings calendar. Usually, the Tuesday and Wednesday following a Monday holiday are packed with earnings reports. Companies love to drop news right after a long weekend.
Don't panic-order. If some big news breaks on Sunday night or Monday morning, don't rush to place a market order for Tuesday's open. The "gap" at the opening bell can be massive, and you might end up buying at a much higher price than you intended. Use limit orders instead to protect yourself.
The market will be back at 9:30 AM ET on Tuesday. Until then, enjoy the break.