Is the Stock Market Closed for Memorial Day? What Investors Need to KnowAs Memorial Day arrives, investors take a brief step back from market activity to honor U.S. military personnel who lost their lives in service. While the financial world remains focused on evolving global trade tensions and recent earnings data, the federal holiday brings a temporary halt to domestic trading.U.S. Stock Market Hours on Memorial Day
Both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular trading will resume on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.Additionally, U.S. bond markets and over-the-counter (OTC) markets will be shut down for the day, pausing all activity until Tuesday morning.Global Exchanges Stay Open
Since Memorial Day is a national U.S. holiday, international financial markets will continue operating on their regular schedules. Investors can expect activity on exchanges such as the:
Following the Federal Reserve’s holiday calendar, most U.S. banks will close for Memorial Day. Major institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase will not open their branches.Post offices will also observe the holiday. Memorial Day is one of 11 annual holidays recognized by the U.S. Postal Service. No mail will be delivered, and USPS locations will be closed.FedEx, UPS, and Shipping Schedule
Shipping and delivery services also slow down for the holiday:
Looking at historical data, the S&P 500 has posted a 0.5% average gain in the week following Memorial Day since 1971. However, trends have shifted in recent years. Since 2010, the index has recorded an average decline of 0.4% in the same post-holiday week.Investors often cite the old Wall Street saying, “sell in May and go away,” which implies that summer months tend to deliver weaker market returns. While this has some historical basis, the data is mixed:
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Initially called “Decoration Day,” the tradition began in 1868 when General John A. Logan, head of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an order encouraging Americans to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.Congress officially declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971, fixing its observance to the final Monday in May.It is one of three holidays in the U.S. dedicated to honoring service members:
Both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular trading will resume on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.Additionally, U.S. bond markets and over-the-counter (OTC) markets will be shut down for the day, pausing all activity until Tuesday morning.Global Exchanges Stay Open
Since Memorial Day is a national U.S. holiday, international financial markets will continue operating on their regular schedules. Investors can expect activity on exchanges such as the:
- Shanghai Stock Exchange
- Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
- Tokyo Stock Exchange
- Euronext Paris
Following the Federal Reserve’s holiday calendar, most U.S. banks will close for Memorial Day. Major institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase will not open their branches.Post offices will also observe the holiday. Memorial Day is one of 11 annual holidays recognized by the U.S. Postal Service. No mail will be delivered, and USPS locations will be closed.FedEx, UPS, and Shipping Schedule
Shipping and delivery services also slow down for the holiday:
- FedEx will suspend most of its services, including Freight and Logistics. However, FedEx Custom Critical, the company’s specialized expedited shipping option, will remain available. FedEx Office stores will operate under modified hours, which may vary by location.
- UPS will not provide pickup or delivery on Memorial Day, with the exception of UPS Express Critical services, which operate around the clock. Local UPS Store hours may vary, and customers are advised to check directly with their nearest location.
Looking at historical data, the S&P 500 has posted a 0.5% average gain in the week following Memorial Day since 1971. However, trends have shifted in recent years. Since 2010, the index has recorded an average decline of 0.4% in the same post-holiday week.Investors often cite the old Wall Street saying, “sell in May and go away,” which implies that summer months tend to deliver weaker market returns. While this has some historical basis, the data is mixed:
- May has yielded an average 1% return over the past 10 years, but only 0.4% over the past 20.
- June returns are inconsistent, with a 1.2% gain average over 10 years, but a 1% average decline over 20 years.
- July tends to outperform, with the S&P 500 averaging a 3.4% gain in the past decade and 2.5% over the last 20 years.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Initially called “Decoration Day,” the tradition began in 1868 when General John A. Logan, head of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an order encouraging Americans to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.Congress officially declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971, fixing its observance to the final Monday in May.It is one of three holidays in the U.S. dedicated to honoring service members:
- Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May) celebrates current service members.
- Veterans Day (November 11) honors those who served in the past.
- Memorial Day is dedicated specifically to those who gave their lives in service.
- Australia’s Anzac Day
- The U.K.’s Remembrance Sunday
- France’s Armistice Day
- South Korea’s Memorial Day on June 6, especially honoring Korean War veterans
