Wall Street is closed for the Presidents’ Day holiday on February 16, officially recognized by U.S. exchanges as Washington’s Birthday, with markets shut for the full day in observance of the federal holiday.
NYSE & Nasdaq: Closed for the Full Day
Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq are closed for the entire session. That means:
- No regular trading hours
- No pre-market activity
- No after-hours trading
The closure applies to all U.S.-listed equities and exchange-traded products. Investors will not see price updates, volume changes, or new trade executions until markets reopen Tuesday morning.
Exchanges and regulatory calendars list the holiday as “Washington’s Birthday”, which helps clarify official trading schedules and avoids confusion in global financial communications.
Bond Market and Fixed Income: Also Closed
It’s not just stocks. The U.S. bond market is closed as well. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommends a full-day close for U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income markets on Washington’s Birthday.
Treasury securities, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds will not trade in standard sessions. Liquidity across fixed-income desks remains paused until markets resume.
Federal Reserve and Payment Systems
The holiday also affects key financial plumbing. The Federal Reserve is closed, and its payment systems, including FedWire, are offline.
This matters for institutional investors and businesses moving large sums of money. Bank transfers, interbank settlements, and certain fund disbursements are delayed until normal operations resume.
Settlement Cycle (T+1): Why Your Funds May Be Delayed
Under the current Settlement Cycle (T+1) framework, stock trades typically settle one business day after execution. However, because Washington’s Birthday is both a market and bank holiday, settlement timelines are affected.
For example, trades executed on Friday, February 13, which would normally settle on Monday, February 16, will instead settle on Tuesday, February 17, due to the holiday.
That delay can affect when sale proceeds become available for withdrawal or reinvestment. For active traders, this nuance is critical. Cash balances from Friday’s transactions will not officially post until Tuesday due to the holiday bank closure.
What About Futures and Derivatives?
While cash equity markets are fully closed, derivatives traders should watch the CME Globex platform. Futures markets often operate on modified schedules during U.S. holidays.
Equity index futures, Treasury futures, and commodity contracts may have shortened sessions or halt early, frequently around 1:00 p.m. ET. These limited sessions can offer early signals for how markets may open on Tuesday.
However, liquidity tends to be thinner during holiday trading, and price moves can be exaggerated due to lower participation.
International Markets: Open for Business
Global markets provide additional context. Major international exchanges remain open, including the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Movements in European and Asian equities can influence sentiment heading into Tuesday’s U.S. open. Traders often monitor international indices for directional clues when domestic markets are paused.
Looking Ahead: Next Full Market Closure
After Washington’s Birthday, the next scheduled full closure for U.S. equity markets in 2026 will be Good Friday on April 3. Good Friday is one of the few additional dates each year when both the NYSE and Nasdaq completely suspend trading.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding President’s Day
1. Is the bank open on President’s Day?
Answer: No. Most retail bank branches (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.) are closed today as they follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule. However, ATMs and online/mobile banking services remain fully functional.
2. Will the stock market be open on Presidents’ Day?
Answer: No. The NYSE and Nasdaq are closed for the entire day. Trading will resume at their normal time tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17.
4. Is President’s day a federal holiday?
Answer: Yes. It is one of the 11 official U.S. federal holidays. While commonly called Presidents’ Day, the federal government officially recognizes it as “Washington’s Birthday.
5. Is there mail on President’s Day?
Answer: No. The USPS does not deliver regular mail today, and all Post Office locations are closed.
