Orders and trading · updated October 21, 2026
What are pre-market and after-hours trading on the US stock market
Pre-market and after-hours are the windows when you can trade before the regular session opens and after it closes. They matter most on US exchanges, where companies often release results before the open or after the close.
How it works
Regular hours in New York run from 9:30 to 16:00 local time (14:30 to 21:00 in London and 15:30 to 22:00 in Frankfurt for most of the year). The pre-market starts at 4:00 and after-hours trading runs until 20:00 New York time. There are fewer participants in these hours, so spreads are wider and price jumps sharper. Many brokers only accept limit orders then.
Worked example
A US company releases its results at 16:05, after the close. The stock had closed at $100.
The next day, at the open, the price may start from $92 or bounce back, depending on how all investors react.
Worth knowing
Prices outside regular hours show what the first investors to react to the news think, not necessarily where the stock will open.
When pre-market and after-hours can fool you
Low volume: a few orders can move the price a lot. A wide spread: you lose more going in and out. Stop orders usually do not trigger outside regular hours.
Related terms
Learn it in the Academy
Questions about pre-market and after-hours
Can I trade in the pre-market from Europe?
Yes, if your broker offers it for US exchanges. Check the hours and the order types accepted in the app.
What time does the US stock market open in Europe?
At 14:30 in London and 15:30 in Central Europe for most of the year. For a few weeks in spring and autumn the gap shifts by an hour, because the US and Europe change their clocks on different dates.
These explanations are for information only. They are not a recommendation to buy or sell.
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