NQ Futures Holiday Schedule: What to Know
If you’re trading NQ futures, it’s important to know when the market is closed or closes early due to U.S. holidays. Since NQ futures trade on the CME Globex platform, their schedule follows U.S. federal holidays — not Indian holidays.
In this guide, we list the key dates and explain how these holidays affect trading sessions.
Who Sets the Holiday Schedule?
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) sets the official trading calendar for NQ futures. You can view the latest schedule on the CME Holiday Calendar.
Key U.S. Holidays That Affect NQ Futures
| Holiday | Typical Impact |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Market closed |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Early close the previous evening |
| Presidents’ Day | Early close the previous evening |
| Good Friday | Market closed |
| Memorial Day | Early close |
| Independence Day | Early close or full-day closure |
| Labor Day | Early close |
| Thanksgiving Day | Market closed or early close |
| Christmas Day | Market closed or limited hours |
Note: When a holiday falls on a weekend, the market may close the Friday before or the Monday after.
Early Close Sessions
On days with early closure, NQ futures usually stop trading at:
- 1:00 PM EST (U.S.)
- Which is 11:30 PM IST
Always double-check with your broker or trading platform for exact cut-off times.
How Holiday Hours Affect Trading
- Lower Liquidity: Fewer participants, wider spreads
- Unexpected Volatility: Sudden spikes due to thin markets
- Platform Downtime: Some platforms conduct maintenance during holidays
Avoid opening large positions before holidays unless you are fully aware of the risks.
How Indian Traders Can Prepare
- Bookmark the CME holiday calendar
- Close short-term positions before low-volume sessions
- Use alerts to monitor early closing times
- Avoid trading breakouts or volatile moves during holiday periods
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FAQs
1. Does the NQ futures market close for Indian holidays?
No. It follows the U.S. trading calendar, not Indian holidays.
2. Where can I check the latest holiday hours?
Visit the official CME Group website’s holiday calendar.
3. What happens if I place a trade during a holiday closure?
Your order may be delayed or rejected. The market may also show stale prices.
4. Is it safe to trade NQ on U.S. holidays?
Liquidity is often low, so it’s best to reduce exposure or avoid trading altogether.
5. Do brokers notify about early closes?
Most reputable brokers send alerts via email or platform notifications.
