Definition
Regular trading hours are the main session of the stock market. Stock index futures also trade almost around the clock, and the part outside regular hours is often called the overnight session.
The story
US stocks trade regularly from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM CT (Central Time). ES (E-mini S&P 500 futures) and NQ (E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures) trade on CME Globex, the electronic platform of CME Group (owner of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange), from Sunday at 5:00 PM to Friday at 4:00 PM CT, with a daily pause from 4:00 to 5:00 PM CT. That's why futures react to a 7:30 AM CT jobs report an hour before stocks can.
Why markets watch it
Some traders mark the overnight high and low separately from the regular-session levels.
Connects to
Premarket and after-hoursFuturesE-mini S&P 500E-mini Nasdaq-100Opening range
We explain why it moves markets. What you do with it is your call. Commentary and education only. Not financial advice. All terms