What days is the ASX open and traded at Christmas?

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As the holiday season approaches (or maybe already started for some lucky ones), many investors may be wondering how they can trade the markets during the holiday season. As the saying goes, "money never sleeps," but the stock market certainly does. That's why most of us can only buy or sell our ASX shares between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

But trading during the Christmas season is certainly not a dead rubber. Those of you readers who have been investing for quite a long time may remember the "typing tantrum" market correction we saw in 2018. Well, that saw the ASX 200 drop about 14%. between October and the end of December. And the markets found their low point just around Christmas time, offering a plethora of festive bargains for those of us who might stray from the Christmas ham itself. So sometimes it pays to keep an eye on the markets during the holiday season!

So when exactly can we buy and sell stocks over the next two weeks?

ASX stock market closing for Christmas and New Years

Well, ASX tells us that the first adjustment to expect is a shortening of trading hours on Christmas Eve (this Friday). Instead of the normal 4pm closing time, ASX markets will close at 2pm instead. So be sure to complete any planned buying or selling before this time if you don't want to miss it.

After that, the ASX will be completely closed on Monday December 27th to take into account that Christmas Day is a Saturday. It will also be closed on December 28 for Boxing Day.

Trading will then resume on December 29 and will continue normally until December 31. But New Years Eve will also have a shorter trading day, with markets closing early again at 2 p.m.

Thereafter, the equity market will close again completely for New Years Day on Monday January 3, with trading resuming normally on Tuesday January 4.

Remember, the right people at ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX) also needs a vacation. So keep these dates in mind if you are planning any last minute transactions for the 2021 calendar year.