In a move that clarifies the schedule for global investors, major US stock exchanges have confirmed they will remain open for regular trading on Friday, December 26, 2025. This decision comes despite an executive order from President Donald Trump declaring the day a federal holiday for government employees.
Market Schedule Defies Federal Holiday Declaration
The trading floors of Wall Street will be active on Friday, December 26, following the Christmas Day closure on Thursday, December 25. This means both the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will operate during standard business hours. The clarification is crucial for traders and investors in India and worldwide who track US market movements.
The decision highlights a key distinction between federal holidays and market trading calendars. While President Trump's order mandated that "All executive departments and agencies of the federal government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and Friday, Dec. 26, 2025," privately operated financial exchanges are not obligated to follow the same schedule.
Official US Stock Market Holidays for 2026
Looking ahead, the official NYSE holiday calendar for the following year, 2026, has been published. Investors should mark these dates when US markets will be closed:
- New Year’s Day — Thursday, January 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — Monday, January 18
- Washington’s Birthday — Monday, February 15
- Good Friday — Friday, March 26
- Memorial Day — Monday, May 31
- Juneteenth National Independence Day (observed) — Friday, June 18
- Independence Day (observed) — Monday, July 5
- Labor Day — Monday, September 6
- Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 25
- Christmas Day — Friday, December 25
Implications for Global Investors
The confirmation that US markets are open ensures continuity for global financial operations. For Indian investors and institutions with exposure to US equities or funds, it will be a regular trading day. The news, first reported by Mint and updated on December 26, 2025, at 06:40 AM IST, provides certainty in a post-Christmas trading environment.
This situation underscores the importance of consulting the official exchange calendars rather than general public holiday lists when planning investment activities. Market participants are advised to stay tuned for any further updates, as this remains a developing story.
