Closing times for stock market exchanges vary, but they generally close in the evening – except on holidays. A stock market exchange is a marketplace where stocks are traded throughout the day; it functions as an entity that ensures orderly trading and efficient dissemination of price quotes for stocks on the exchange. Some of the main stock market exchanges are the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Swiss Exchange, London Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. Trading is generally conducted on Monday to Friday of each week. Getting access to any of the following markets and exchanges would require a stockbroker. Investopedia's list of the best online stock brokers can give you a great first look at some of the top brokers in the industry.

Trading Hours in the United States / Americas

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is based in New York City. The NYSE is one of the largest stock exchanges in the world, and it is a public entity. As of 2019, the NYSE has normal trading hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, unless there's an early close due to a holiday.

The Nasdaq is an American stock exchange that serves as a global electronic marketplace for securities trading. Pre-market trading hours are from 4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. local time, and after-hours trading extends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The normal trading hours begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Canada's Toronto Stock Exchange opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. local time, with no break in trading for a lunch period.

Trading Hours in Asia

The Shanghai Stock Exchange opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. local time, and it has a lunch period from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Japan's Tokyo Stock Exchange opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. local time, with a lunch period from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. local time, and it has a lunch period from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Trading Hours in Europe

The London Stock Exchange opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. local time with no lunch period.

Euronext Paris opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. local time with no lunch period.

The Swiss Exchange opens at 9:00 a.m., closes at 5:30 p.m. local time and has no lunch period.