[ I N D E P T H | 2 4 H O U R E Q U I T I E S T R A D I N G ]
An un-unified approach to expanding equities trading hours
As the US and Europe continue to take opposing approaches to extending trading hours, WESLEY BRAY explores what’ s encouraging division of thought, arguable benefits and the potential long-term market impact.
Discussions around the want or need to expand trading hours for equities have been ongoing for several years, with varying levels of acceptance and subsequent action being taken across the globe. The more recent interest in this topic appears to have been garnered through existing use cases in asset classes such as the rapidly growing cryptocurrency landscape, which offers trading 24 / 7, including holidays. Whether equities will eventually adopt the 24 / 7 model is another story all together, however. Zoom in further, and approaches to the subject differ greatly depending on where you are on the globe. Sentiment surrounding the feasibility of the extension of trading hours remains starkly different in the US in comparison with the UK and Europe for example, where institutions in recent years have petitioned to shorten the trading day.
While US venues have been more aggressive in recent months with their desire to expand trading hours in equities, those in Europe and the UK appear
24 // TheTRADE // Q1 2025