After-Hours Trading
Trade stocks before the market opens and after it closes. Here's how extended hours work, the risks involved, and which brokers offer it.
Trading Sessions (Eastern Time)
What Is Extended Hours Trading?
Extended hours trading lets you buy and sell stocks outside the regular NYSE/NASDAQ hours (9:30am-4pm ET). It includes pre-market (before open) and after-hours (after close) sessions.
This trading happens on Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs) that match buyers and sellers directly.
Why Trade After Hours?
React to Earnings
Most companies report earnings after market close or before open. After-hours trading lets you react immediately rather than waiting for the next day.
News Events
Major news can break any time. Extended hours let you act on breaking news without waiting.
Schedule Flexibility
Can't trade during work hours? Pre-market (4-9:30am) or after-hours (4-8pm) give you options.
Extended Hours Risks
Lower Liquidity
Fewer traders = wider bid-ask spreads. You might pay $50.10 to buy a stock that would cost $50.02 during regular hours.
Higher Volatility
With fewer participants, prices can swing more dramatically. A small order can move the price.
Limit Orders Only
Most brokers require limit orders for extended hours trading. Market orders aren't allowed because prices are too volatile.
Partial Fills
Your order might only partially fill due to low volume. You could end up with 50 shares when you wanted 100.
Which Brokers Offer Extended Hours?
| Broker | Pre-Market | After-Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | 7:00am - 9:30am | 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Webull | 4:00am - 9:30am | 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Fidelity | 7:00am - 9:28am | 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Schwab | 7:00am - 9:25am | 4:05pm - 8:00pm |
| Interactive Brokers | 4:00am - 9:30am | 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
| E*TRADE | 7:00am - 9:30am | 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
How to Place After-Hours Orders
- Select "Extended Hours" or "After Hours" order type
- Use a limit order (required)
- Set your price carefully (check the current after-hours quote)
- Note: Order only valid for that session unless you specify otherwise
Best Practices
Always Use Limit Orders
Never use market orders in extended hours. The wide spreads can mean terrible execution prices.
Check After-Hours Quotes
The "last price" you see might be from 4pm. Look specifically at extended hours quotes before placing orders.
Be Prepared for Gaps
Your order might not fill, and the stock could gap significantly by regular open. Don't count on your extended hours order executing.
Start Small
Test with small positions until you understand how extended hours pricing works.
The Bottom Line
Extended hours trading is useful for reacting to earnings and news, but comes with real risks: lower liquidity, wider spreads, and potential for bad fills.
For most long-term investors, there's no need to trade after hours. For active traders, use it carefully with limit orders and small position sizes until you're comfortable.
Compare Extended Hours Access
Webull and IBKR offer the longest trading hours.
Compare All Brokers →