Nasdaq Seeks Extending Trading Hours to 23 Hours

Nasdaq, the second-largest stock exchange operator in the United States, has submitted a request to regulators to significantly extend its trading hours, aiming to allow trading for up to 23 hours a day on regular business days.

In a statement released Tuesday, Nasdaq said it has formally asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval to introduce an additional overnight trading session running from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The proposed session would be added to the exchange’s existing pre-market, regular, and after-hours trading periods.

Chuck Mack, Nasdaq’s Senior Vice President for North American Markets, said the move reflects shifting investor expectations in an increasingly globalized financial landscape.

“This development reflects a simple reality: global investors expect access to markets on their terms, in their time zones, without compromising trust or market integrity,” Mack said.

Earlier this year, Nasdaq signaled its intention to expand equity trading hours in response to rising international demand for U.S. stocks, as overseas investors seek greater flexibility to trade during their local market hours.

If approved, the extended trading schedule would mark a major shift in how U.S. equity markets operate, bringing them closer to round-the-clock accessibility while maintaining traditional market safeguards.

Nasdaq said it expects to be technically prepared to launch the extended trading hours in early Q3 2026, subject to regulatory approval and coordination with other market participants, including brokerages and clearing institutions.

Nasdaq is not alone in pursuing longer trading hours. Other exchanges are moving in a similar direction, most notably the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which has proposed extending its trading day to 22 hours on weekdays. The NYSE proposal has already received preliminary regulatory approval, signaling growing acceptance of extended trading models.

Market observers say the trend reflects broader changes in global investing behavior, driven by digital platforms, cross-border capital flows, and demand from retail and institutional investors outside the United States.

If implemented, extended trading hours could reshape liquidity patterns, risk management practices, and market participation, marking one of the most significant structural changes to U.S. equity markets in decades.