Extended trading hours for US share CFDs

Markets move on news that rarely waits for the opening bell. Trade nine major US share CFDs from 08:00 to 24:00 GMT, Monday to Friday.

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THE BASICS

What is extended hours trading?

Extended hours trading is the trading that takes place outside a stock exchange's regular session, in the pre-market period before the open and the after-hours period after the close. For US shares, the regular session runs from 09:30 to 16:00 US Eastern Time, so extended hours let you trade either side of that window.

BEFORE THE OPEN

Pre-market session

The pre-market is the period before the regular US session opens. It lets you react to overnight news and to earnings released ahead of the opening bell.

When: Before 09:30 US Eastern Time

AFTER THE CLOSE

After-hours session

The after-hours period runs after the regular session closes. Many US companies report results in this window, so prices can move well before the next open.

When: After 16:00 US Eastern Time

THE OPPORTUNITY

Why trade US shares in extended hours?

News and earnings do not wait for the opening bell. Extended hours give traders practical ways to respond.

React to earnings and news

Many US companies release results outside the regular session, before the open or after the close. Extended hours let you respond as the news lands.

Trade around your time zone

The US regular session falls in the evening or overnight for many traders. Extended hours give you more flexibility to trade US names at times that suit you.

Manage positions for longer

Extended hours give you more time to adjust or manage existing positions around scheduled events, instead of being limited to the regular session alone.

Go long or short

Because you are trading CFDs, you can take a position on a share price rising or falling. This applies in extended hours as it does in the regular session.

SESSIONS

Shares you can trade out of hours

Extended hours are available on nine major US share CFDs, from 08:00 to 24:00 GMT, Monday to Friday. The regular US session sits inside this window. Always check the live contract specifications on the platform before placing a trade.

GOOGL

Alphabet (Google)

AMZN

Amazon

AMD

Advanced Micro Devices

AAPL

Apple

Why trade extended hours with ThinkMarkets

Trade on ThinkTrader

Access extended hours on our award-winning ThinkTrader platform, built for speed, clarity and ease of use.

Go long or short

Take a position on US share prices rising or falling with CFDs, in extended hours as well as the regular session.

Competitive, transparent pricing

Trade with competitive spreads and clear conditions. Review the live contract specifications on the platform before you trade.

A regulated global broker

Trade US share CFDs in a regulated environment, all from a single trusted account.

START TRADING

Trade US shares beyond the opening bell

Open an account with ThinkMarkets and be ready to trade nine major US share CFDs in extended hours, from 08:00 to 24:00 GMT.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is extended hours trading?

Extended hours trading is trading that happens outside a stock exchange's regular session, in the pre-market period before the open and the after-hours period after the close. With ThinkMarkets, you can trade extended hours on a selected list of US share CFDs.

What are the extended trading hours for US shares?

With ThinkMarkets, extended hours on the nine US shares run from 08:00 to 24:00 GMT, Monday to Friday. The regular US session runs from 09:30 to 16:00 US Eastern Time and sits inside that window.

Which US shares can I trade in extended hours?

Nine major US share CFDs are available for extended hours trading: Alphabet, Amazon, AMD, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir and Tesla.

What is the difference between pre-market and after-hours trading?

Pre-market trading takes place before the regular session opens. After-hours trading takes place after it closes. Both let you respond to news and earnings outside the regular session.

Why are earnings important for extended hours trading?

Many US companies release earnings results outside the regular session, either before the open or after the close. Extended hours let you take a position in response to those results without waiting for the next session.

Is extended hours trading riskier than regular trading?

It can be. Extended hours usually have fewer participants, which can mean lower liquidity, wider spreads and sharper price moves. Prices can also gap between sessions. You can use stops and limits to help manage your risk, although in fast-moving or gapping markets a standard stop may not always execute at the exact level. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

Which platforms can I use for extended hours trading?

Extended hours on the nine US shares are available on ThinkTrader, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

Is there a separate symbol for extended hours?

No. You trade the same nine US share CFDs. The only difference is the extended trading times, from 08:00 to 24:00 GMT.

Do extended hours cost more to trade?

Commission and fees are the same as on our other share CFDs. Spreads can be wider in extended hours because of lower liquidity, which can increase your trading costs. Check the live contract specifications on the platform before you trade.