On March 7, 2025 (local time), the Nasdaq Exchange unveiled its ambitious plan. It intends to lengthen the trading hours for stocks and exchange - traded products from the present 16 - hour span across five weekdays to a whopping 23 hours. Moreover, it plans to file an application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.

At present, Nasdaq conducts three trading sessions on weekdays. The pre - market trading session runs from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM Eastern Time. Following that, the regular trading session takes place from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. And finally, the after - hours trading session stretches from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Tal Cohen, the President of Nasdaq, mentioned that the exchange has already initiated conversations with regulators, market participants, and other crucial stakeholders. The long - term goal is to achieve 24/7 trading for U.S. stocks in the latter half of 2026.

In the past, the New York Stock Exchange had also announced its intention to extend trading hours to 22 hours per day. Meanwhile, the Chicago Board Options Exchange is planning to extend trading to a full 24 hours a day, five days a week, subject to regulatory approval.

A survey conducted by Nasdaq showed that roughly half of the listed companies have reservations regarding extended trading hours. Their primary concerns revolve around market liquidity and the impact of corporate announcements.

Cohen admitted that 24/7 trading could potentially bring about risks, such as heightened volatility and increased trading costs. However, Nasdaq is committed to collaborating with its partners to tackle challenges related to trading information, risk control, and liquidity.