Trading Hours for Futures Contracts: Opening and Closing Times

Understanding the specific trading hours of the futures market is crucial for traders and investors. While the futures market operates nearly 24/7, the exact times when trading begins and ends can vary based on the specific asset and exchange. Below is a comprehensive guide to the general trading hours for some major futures exchanges.

CME Group - Chicago Mercantile Exchange

General Trading Hours: Sundays through Fridays, except for trading halts.

Equity Index Futures (e.g., SP 500): Opens: Sunday at 5:00 PM Central Time (CT) Closes: Friday at 4:00 PM CT with a trading halt from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CT daily

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)

General Trading Hours: Sundays through Fridays, except for specific contracts which may have different times.

Brent Crude Oil: Opens: Sunday at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) Closes: Friday at 2:30 PM ET

CBOE - Chicago Board Options Exchange

VIX Futures (volatility index): Generally follow the same schedule as equity index futures.

Opens: Sunday at 5:00 PM CT Closes: Friday at 4:00 PM CT with daily trading halts from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CT

Eurex - European Futures Exchanges

European Futures: Typically open late Sunday evening (European Time) and close Friday evening, with specific hours varying by contract.

Opening: Generally anytime from 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM CET (Central European Time) depending on the specific futures contract Closing: Typically at 3:00 PM CET on Fridays, but may vary

It is essential to check the specific exchanges' website or trading platform for the most accurate and up-to-date trading hours. These hours can change due to holidays, maintenance, or other factors. If you are not sure about the exact trading hours, a quick check on the exchange's official website will provide you with the most current information.

For additional details and comprehensive schedules, the CME Group website and the ICE website provide detailed trading hours for their respective exchanges. These resources are invaluable for traders looking to stay informed about market activities.