Extended Trading

Definition

Extended trading refers to the trading activity that occurs outside of the standard trading hours of major exchanges. These hours normally range from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, so extended trading occurs before the market opens (pre-market trading) and after it closes (after-hours trading).

Phonetic

The phonetics of the keyword “Extended Trading” would be: /ɪkˈstɛndɪd ˈtreɪdɪŋ/

Key Takeaways

1. Extended Hours: Extended trading refers to any trading done outside of traditional trading hours. The standard hours for New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are between 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, extended trading occurs pre-market beginning 4 a.m. and post-market until 8 p.m., though it can vary.
2. Volatile Markets: Extended trading hours can be associated with much higher risk as compared to normal trading hours. The market is a lot more volatile during these hours as not many share transactions occur, which can result in wider differences between bid and ask prices.
3. Access for all Investors: While extended trading used to be primarily within the realm of large institutional investors, the rise of electronic communication networks (ECNs) has made it accessible to individual investors as well. They can now partake in extended-hour sessions, though it’s advised they should fully understand the risks and limitations.

Importance

Extended Trading refers to the trading activity that occurs outside of the regular trading hours of major exchanges. This period is important for various reasons. Firstly, it provides investors with the opportunity to react quickly to news events and economic indicators that occur beyond normal trading hours, which may significantly impact the price of a stock or other financial instruments. Secondly, it offers increased flexibility and convenience, allowing investors across different time zones to trade at more suitable hours. However, extended trading also comes with risks such as lower liquidity, higher price volatility, and wider bid-ask spreads, so investors need to consider these factors carefully.

Explanation

Extended trading comes into play outside of the traditional trading hours, providing investors with the opportunity to react to news events that may occur during non-standard trading periods. This includes post-market and pre-market trading hours. The main purpose is to extend the period during which trades can be made to serve the diverse needs of traders around the globe and those who want to take immediate action based on new information. Investors utilize extended trading to act swiftly on news, events, earnings reports, or other financial indicators that might affect the price of an asset, without having to wait for traditional market hours to execute their trades. This can offer strategic advantages, potentially offering better buy or sell prices. On the other hand, it also serves as a risk management tool. Investors who anticipate a massive drop or increase in a stock’s price after hours can pre-emptively buy or sell assets in the extended trading session. In short, extended trading offers more flexibility and convenience to investors, allowing them to leverage information or events quickly to avoid potential losses or capitalize on possible gains. It represents a wealth of opportunities not previously available in the standard daytime stock trading window.

Examples

1. After-Hours Trading: E*TRADE Financial Corp., a US based brokerage firm, provides extended trading hours. It enables their customers to trade for an additional four hours after the standard trading session has ended, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST. Clients can take advantage of news or events that occur outside of standard market hours. 2. Pre-market Trading: TD Ameritrade, another US brokerage firm, provides pre-market trading starting from 7:00 a.m. EST, a few hours before the standard stock market opening at 9:30 a.m. This allows its clients to respond quickly to news events that may affect their portfolio. 3. Cryptocurrency Trading: The Binance Exchange, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, allows for extended trading as the platform operates 24/7. This is an example of a market that never closes, allowing traders from around the globe to buy or sell cryptocurrencies at any time of the day, without the limitations of traditional market hours.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Related Finance Terms

• After-Hours Trading
• Pre-Market Trading
• Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs)
• Limit Order
• Financial Markets

Sources for More Information

• Investopedia
• Wikipedia
• Corporate Finance Institute
• TheStreet