Black Friday 2025: Is the U.S. Stock Market Open Today, November 28? A Complete Premium Guide for Global Investors

 Every year, the Friday after Thanksgiving attracts tremendous attention—not only from shoppers storming retail stores, but also from investors around the world who pause and ask the same recurring question: is the stock market open the day after Thanksgiving? As Black Friday carries a mix of holiday sentiment, reduced trading desks and shifting liquidity, understanding the market schedule becomes essential, especially for traders outside the United States.

If you are among those searching “is stock market open today?”, here is a detailed breakdown of exactly how U.S. equities operate on November 28, 2025, why Black Friday follows a shortened schedule, and what this means for both short-term traders and long-term investors.

Is the U.S. Stock Market Open Today? (November 28, 2025)

Yes—the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are open today. However, the session follows an early-closing format that happens every year on Black Friday. If you’re accustomed to full-length trading hours, this day works differently.

For international investors, especially those in Asia and India wondering is the market open on Black Friday, the answer is: Yes, but with significantly reduced hours.

Black Friday Trading Window (in IST)

• Market Open: 8:00 PM IST
• Market Close: 11:30 PM IST

That gives global traders a 3.5-hour session, far shorter than the usual six-and-a-half-hour window.

Why Does the Market Close Early on Black Friday?

The early closure on Black Friday is not random—it is rooted in decades of market tradition and practical considerations.

1. Reduced Institutional Activity

Thanksgiving week historically sees thinner staffing across major U.S. banks, hedge funds, and trading firms. Many analysts and portfolio managers extend their holiday break, leaving markets quieter than usual.

2. Seasonal Drop in Liquidity

Trading volumes fall sharply during this period. Exchanges prefer a shortened session to maintain orderly trading conditions, avoid unnecessary volatility, and align with longstanding holiday customs.

3. Consumer Focus Dominates

Black Friday is heavily consumption-driven. Investors shift attention from intraday speculation to retail performance indicators, early sales numbers, and holiday spending forecasts.

Put simply, the ecosystem of Wall Street slows down, so the exchanges scale down their hours accordingly.

Thanksgiving Week Trading Schedule (IST)

To help global investors plan effectively, here is the complete U.S. stock market schedule for Thanksgiving week, converted entirely into IST:

Date	Market Status	Trading Hours (IST)
Nov 26—Wednesday	Open	8:00 PM – 2:30 AM
Nov 27—Thursday (Thanksgiving)	Closed	No Trading
Nov 28—Friday (Black Friday)	Early Close	8:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Dec 1—Monday	Open	8:00 PM – 2:30 AM

Pre-market and after-hours trading continue on all open days, though liquidity is even lower during holiday periods.

How Black Friday Hours Affect International and Indian Investors

For traders outside the U.S., especially those working in different time zones, the shortened session brings specific challenges:

1. Fewer Intraday Opportunities

Momentum trades, news-driven setups, and volatility-based strategies typically weaken. With fewer institutional players active, price action can appear slow or disjointed.

2. Limited Reaction to Breaking News

Because many companies and government agencies avoid major announcements during the holiday, market-moving events are rare.

3. Retail Sector Becomes the Star

Consumer behavior dominates the narrative. The performance of:

• e-commerce platforms
• retail giants
• digital payments firms
• logistics and delivery companies

often sets the tone for how markets behave.

4. Long-Term Investors Benefit from the Calm

If you're a long-term investor, Black Friday serves as a sentiment indicator rather than a trading day—giving hints about:

• consumer confidence
• early holiday spending strength
• broader market mood heading into December

Expected Market Behavior on Black Friday

Although each year differs, Black Friday shares some consistent patterns:

1. Low Volatility

Thin volumes generally lead to stable but muted price movement. Spikes typically occur only if unexpected retail data reveals strong or weak consumer behavior.

2. Sector-Specific Activity

Certain industries draw more attention:

• Retail & E-commerce: Movements link to early sales figures.
• Payments & Fintech: Card transaction volumes may influence sentiment.
• Travel & Airlines: Thanksgiving travel data provides indirect market cues.

These shifts tend to be moderate, not explosive, due to the limited liquidity.

3. Institutional Quietness

Big funds and algo-driven desks operate with skeleton teams, creating an environment where markets drift rather than move decisively.

Bond Market Hours on Black Friday

It's not just equities following a shortened schedule—U.S. fixed-income markets also close early.

Bond Market Schedule (IST)

• 8:00 PM IST – 12:30 AM IST

This early closure spans:

• U.S. Treasuries
• Corporate bonds
• Municipal bonds

Expect:

• wider bid–ask spreads
• lower market depth
• slower trade execution

This is typical for holiday weeks.

Key Considerations for Investors Asking “Is Stock Market Open Today?”

Here is a concise checklist summarizing everything traders need to know:

• Yes, the U.S. stock market is open on Black Friday.
• Trading runs for 3.5 hours (8:00 PM – 11:30 PM IST).
• Liquidity is lower than average.
• Retail and consumer-related stocks may show relative movement.
• Fixed-income markets also follow early-closing rules.
• Regular operating hours resume the following Monday.

If you’re trying to time entries or exits, it is recommended to avoid heavily relying on intraday patterns during this session.

Why Black Friday Still Matters to Investors

Even though it’s a short day, Black Friday provides important insights:

1. Early Gauge of Holiday Sales

Retail holiday performance often influences December markets and fourth-quarter earnings projections.

2. Temperature Check on Consumer Confidence

A strong Black Friday often hints at healthier household spending trends.

3. Market Mood Heading Into December

This day can help forecast how investor sentiment will evolve as markets approach year-end rebalancing and tax-harvesting periods.

Final Takeaway: What November 28 Means for Global Traders

Black Friday is not a typical trading day. It is intentionally designed to be lighter, shorter, and more relaxed as markets transition through the Thanksgiving holiday. For investors wondering is the market open on Black Friday, the answer remains consistent every year: Yes, but only for a reduced session.

Today’s 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM IST trading window provides just enough time for a brief analysis of sector sentiment, particularly across retail-driven and consumer-linked industries. But the real action returns when full-length trading resumes on Monday.

If you're a global trader or long-term investor, use this quiet session as a chance to prepare for the more active weeks ahead—rather than expecting dramatic moves today.