Veterans Day and the Stock Market: Is It Closed?

The straightforward answer: U.S. equities exchanges stay open on Veterans Day, but much of the financial system does not. Stock market closure on Veterans Day isn’t a simple yes-or-no situation—it depends entirely on which market segment you’re trading. Most investors asking “is the stock market closed on veterans day” don’t realize the market operates in layers, with equity exchanges humming along while bond desks, banks, and clearing infrastructure largely shut down. This fragmentation creates real operational risks for anyone placing time-sensitive orders.

What Actually Opens and What Actually Closes

The critical insight: equities trade, bonds don’t, banks close. Here’s the exact breakdown.

Equity Exchanges Operate Normally

NYSE and Nasdaq, the primary U.S. equity exchanges, maintain regular trading hours on Veterans Day—9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. According to official exchange calendars (as of early 2026), neither exchange schedules a closure or early close for this federal holiday. If you want to trade listed stocks, the market is open. That’s the simple answer to “is the stock market closed on veterans day” when “stock market” refers to equities.

No early close. No shortened session. Standard hours apply unless the exchange announces an exception for that specific year.

Bond Markets and Fixed-Income: Actually Closed

The contrast is sharp. Most bond traders follow SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) holiday recommendations, which classify Veterans Day as an observed holiday. That means:

• Treasury markets have minimal or no activity
• Corporate bond trading largely halts
• Municipal bond desks close
• Interdealer brokers shut down

If your hedging strategy relies on bond liquidity or repo funding on Veterans Day, you’ll find neither. The bond market is not open when the stock market is—a critical distinction that trips up many investors.

Banks and Clearing: Limited or Closed

Commercial banks typically close on Veterans Day, affecting:

• Branch operations (ATMs still work, but teller services are unavailable)
• Institutional bank desks and treasury operations
• ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers and wire processing may be delayed
• Margin operations and collateral movements can stall

Even if your equity trade executes flawlessly, settlement—the actual movement of cash and securities—depends on banks and clearing infrastructure being operational. If they’re closed, your settlement is delayed.

Settlement and Clearing: The Hidden Complication

Here’s where “is the stock market closed on veterans day” becomes operationally critical.

Your executed trade and your settled trade are not the same thing. Execution happens instantly on the exchange; settlement is the behind-the-scenes transfer of cash and securities. Under current U.S. rules, most equity trades must settle in T+1 (one business day).

If you trade on Veterans Day and settlement is supposed to occur that same day or the next calendar day, but banks and clearing houses are closed, your settlement rolls forward to the next business day. Your margin requirements, available cash, and collateral pledging all depend on that settlement actually completing.

Concrete example: You buy 100 shares of XYZ stock at 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. The trade executes. Your broker shows it on your account. But the cash movement and share delivery are scheduled for Veterans Day itself or early the next morning. If banks are closed, that payment and delivery are delayed until the next business day—tying up your margin and preventing you from using the settled funds for new purchases or withdrawals.

Settlement Date Adjustments

Most clearing houses and brokers automatically push settlement forward if it lands on a non-business day. Always confirm with your broker whether Veterans Day causes a one-day settlement delay for that year. If you need settled funds on a specific date, initiate transfers well before Veterans Day to avoid being caught short.

Practical Implications for Traders and Investors

Your Trade Execution Timeline

• Before Veterans Day: Place orders as normal.
• On Veterans Day itself: Equities markets accept orders and execute trades during standard hours.
• After execution: Your trade shows as filled, but settlement may not complete until the following business day if banks are closed.
• Margin and buying power: Your broker may freeze available buying power until settlement completes, even though the trade is “done.”

Liquidity and Volatility

With many institutional banks and dealers closed, equity market depth can thin out. Bid-ask spreads may widen in some securities. If you’re trading large blocks or illiquid names, expect different conditions than a full-staffing day.

Corporate Actions and Dividends

Dividend payments, stock splits, and other corporate actions often depend on bank processing. Payment may be delayed if the distribution date lands on Veterans Day or the settlement chain is disrupted. Plan around this if you hold stock going into the holiday.

Cash Transfers and Withdrawals

Want to withdraw cash to your bank account? Don’t assume it will clear on Veterans Day. ACH transfers and some wire operations are often unavailable. Initiate any transfers at least two business days before if you need the funds on a specific date.

Quick Reference: Market Status

Special Cases and Year-to-Year Variations

Weekend Rule

If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the observed holiday may shift to Friday or Monday, depending on federal and industry practice. This can affect bank closures and settlement infrastructure availability differently than the actual calendar date. Always check the current year’s exchange calendar and your broker’s notice. The observed holiday that impacts settlement may not align with November 11 itself.

Exchange Discretion

Exchanges retain the right to change schedules for extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, infrastructure outages, national emergencies). Rare unscheduled closures have occurred, but for emergency reasons—not routine federal holidays. Verify each year.

How to Confirm Before You Trade

Do this 2-3 days before Veterans Day:

1. Check NYSE and Nasdaq official holiday calendars for current-year status.
2. Confirm SIFMA guidance if you trade fixed income.
3. Review your broker’s holiday notice (most send emails or platform alerts).
4. Check DTCC and clearinghouse advisories for settlement implications.
5. Verify product-specific calendars if trading options, futures, or ETFs.

Pro tip: Enable holiday alerts on your trading platform. Most major brokers and exchanges provide calendar notifications and detailed operational notices well in advance.

The Bottom Line on “Is the Stock Market Closed on Veterans Day?”

Equities? Open. NYSE and Nasdaq conduct normal business.

Bonds? Closed. SIFMA observance halts most fixed-income trading.

Banks? Closed. Federal holiday means retail and institutional operations stop.

Settlement? Delayed. Even though your trade executes, cash and securities may not move until the next business day.

If you trade equities and ignore the bond market and settlement complications, Veterans Day feels like a normal day. But if your strategy involves fixed-income hedges, cash transfers, or precise margin management, the holiday creates real operational friction. Plan accordingly, confirm with your broker, and don’t assume uniform market closure just because it’s a federal holiday—because the stock market closed on veterans day is a half-truth. Equity markets stay open; the rest of financial infrastructure does not.

Always double-check the current year’s calendar and official notices before placing time-sensitive orders around any holiday.