Why the Markets Go Silent on Good Friday

No, the U.S. stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, are closed on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. ​

On Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025, the bond markets will close early at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, while the stock markets will operate during regular hours. ​

Regular trading hours for the NYSE are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. ​

Markets will resume normal operations on Monday, April 21, 2025, following the Easter weekend. ​

Why the Markets Go Silent on Good Friday

1. It’s Not Just Business — It’s Culture

Wall Street, for all its sharp suits and sharper minds, was built on traditions. One of those is observing Good Friday as a non-trading day. Even though the U.S. isn't governed by religious law, Christian holidays like Good Friday still hold cultural weight in the Western financial world.

Think about it:

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been around since 1792.

Back then, religion shaped public life even more than now.

Traders, brokers, and bankers would have been in church on Good Friday, not on the trading floor.

Today? It’s more of a legacy decision than a religious one. But the tradition stuck. And in finance, old habits die hard — especially when they're tied to the calendar.

2. Liquidity Dries Up — Like a Tap Turned Off

You can’t run a market without volume.

Good Friday is part of the Easter weekend, and that means:

Families travel.

Traders vanish.

Hedge fund managers sip cocktails by the coast.

And retail investors are usually too busy hunting Easter eggs to hunt for profits.

The result? Low liquidity. And in trading, that’s deadly. Low volume = high volatility. Nobody wants to make million-dollar decisions in a ghost town of a market. So instead of forcing it, exchanges just shut the lights off.

3. Follow the Leader: Global Markets Echo the Closure

The U.S. markets are not alone.

On Good Friday, major global markets like:

London Stock Exchange

Toronto Stock Exchange

Euronext

Frankfurt Stock Exchange

…also close.

When everyone else is closed, there's no global rhythm. Why open the NYSE or Nasdaq if your counterparts across the Atlantic are asleep?

Wall Street might be the drummer of the global financial band, but even the drummer needs the rest of the band in sync.

4. The SIFMA Blessing — It's Official

You’ve probably never heard of SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association), but they’re like the shadow hand of the markets. Every year, SIFMA releases a recommended holiday calendar for bond markets and stock exchanges.

Guess what’s always on that list? Yep, Good Friday.

It’s a “soft power” nod, and most of the time, markets follow their lead. It’s a bit like when your mom doesn’t order you to come home for Christmas, but you know you’d better show up.

5. The Stats Don’t Lie — Closing Is Just Smarter

Let’s put it in plain numbers.

Historically, trading volumes on the Thursday before Good Friday are lower than usual. Why? Because most institutional investors start logging out early for the long weekend.

Even more telling? Market performance leading up to Good Friday is oddly strong.

According to a study by LPL Financial:

“The S&P 500 has been positive on the Thursday before Good Friday nearly 70% of the time over the past 30 years.”

It’s almost as if the markets know a holiday is coming and want to squeeze in some cheer before they nap.

6. There’s No Federal Mandate — Just Market Wisdom

Good Friday isn't a federal holiday in the U.S. like Christmas or Independence Day.

You won’t find government buildings shuttered. The post office will still deliver your Amazon packages. But Wall Street?

They choose silence.

And that’s what makes it interesting. The decision isn’t forced — it’s voluntary. That’s Wall Street’s version of a spiritual pause.

A Hilarious Take: The Trader Who Forgot

Let me hit you with a real story.

Back in 2014, a junior trader named Marcus at a boutique firm in Chicago didn’t realize Good Friday was a market holiday.

He woke up early, sipped his espresso like a wannabe Wolf of Wall Street, dressed in his best Zara suit, and Ubered to his office with fire in his belly.

He logged in, ready to crush the market — and saw a screen that looked like Windows 95 before a reboot.

Nothing was moving.

Panicked, he called his senior analyst:

"Bro, I think Bloomberg is down."

Silence.

Then came the reply:

"Nah, bro. Jesus rose. We rest."

Good Friday and the Markets — A Pause with Purpose

Good Friday is more than just a day of market closure.

It’s a quiet handshake between tradition, wisdom, and practicality. A day where the tempo slows down, and the financial world — just for a breath — chooses rest over rush.

Wall Street isn’t immune to cultural rhythm. For one day, the screens go black, the tickers pause, and even the greediest day traders might pick up a hot cross bun and sit still.

So the next time someone asks,

"Why is the stock market closed on Good Friday?"

Tell them this:

"Because sometimes, even capitalism knows when to be quiet."

SEO Bonus Summary

Is the stock market open on Good Friday?

Nope. The NYSE, Nasdaq, and bond markets are all closed on Good Friday (April 18, 2025).

What about Maundy Thursday?

Markets are open regular hours. However, bond markets close early at 2 PM ET.

Why is the stock market closed on Good Friday?

• Tradition rooted in Christian observance.
• Low liquidity due to holiday travel.
• Global market closure.
• SIFMA recommendations.
• Voluntary wisdom, not government mandate.

Will markets reopen after Easter?

Yes, normal trading resumes on Monday, April 21, 2025.

If you found this helpful, share it with the curious cousin who thinks “Maundy Thursday” is a typo.

And remember: even the market needs a sabbath.