Investors may be planning to take a step back this Friday to observe the holiday weekend. With Good Friday upon us and Easter Sunday just a whisper away, trading activities take a momentary pause. Here’s the essential information for those in the trading world.
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Stock Market Operations: Holiday Schedule
Is the Stock Market Open Today?
In observance of Good Friday, both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will suspend their operations, planning to resume on Monday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
The bond market also takes an early weekend, having concluded its activities Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern and remaining closed through Friday. Over-the-counter markets will follow suit, observing the holiday closure.
Despite Good Friday not being recognized as a federal holiday, the usual hustle and bustle in U.S. Postal Service offices and banks will persist, keeping their doors open for business.
Global Market Dynamics
Are International Markets Open Today?
The wave of holiday closures extends beyond U.S. borders, affecting major foreign stock exchanges including the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Paris, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the Singapore Stock Exchange, all of which will remain closed on Monday.
As trading activities in the U.S. are set to resume on Monday, several international markets will extend their observance of Easter, affecting operations in notable financial hubs such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong.
Market Performance Overview
How Have Markets Been Performing?
This year has witnessed a commendable upward trajectory in major market indexes: the Dow Jones Industrial Average boasts a 6% increase, the S&P 500 a 10% uplift, and the Nasdaq Composite a 9.1% rise.
2023 spotlighted the “Magnificent 7” stocks—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Tesla—capturing investor attention with significant advancements in artificial intelligence.
Despite a slight dip in Apple and Tesla shares, the market remains buoyant, fueled by robust earnings across various sectors. Furthermore, anticipations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut have investors eyeing potential equity boosts.
Upcoming Market Indicators
What Should Investors Anticipate Next Week?
Key economic indicators await investors next week, with a keen eye on the labor market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to unveil its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey data for February come Tuesday.
Additionally, insights into jobless claims and the March jobs report will be pivotal, with economists projecting the addition of 180,000 nonfarm jobs in March, a decrease from February’s 275,000 jobs, potentially lowering the unemployment rate to 3.8% from 3.9%.
Understanding Good Friday and Easter
The Significance of the Holidays
Good Friday and Easter Sunday, pivotal Christian holidays, commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and celebrate his resurrection, respectively. This year, Easter is observed on March 31, marking a period of reflection and renewal for many.
