Is the stock market open today? These are the trading hours on Good Friday.

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Investors may want to recover from a busy week for the market on Good Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 0.6% this week, while the

S&P 500
has risen 0.1%. The technically heavy Nasdaq compositehowever fell by 1.1%. So far this year, the three major indices are up 1%, 6.9% and 15.5% respectively.

April can be tougher for markets than the start of the year. At the same time, looking ahead, a strong first quarter is historically a positive sign for the year as a whole, wrote Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network. We can reasonably expect more volatility in the short term, but the longer term picture remains more positive.

Keep reading to learn what market participants need to know if they want to trade on Good Friday.

Is the stock market open today?

The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed, even though Good Friday is not a US federal holiday. (Good Friday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is celebrated two days before Easter Sunday.)

However, futures on the stock index will trade until 9:15 a.m. Eastern on Friday before resuming on Sunday at 6 p.m.

The Securities Industries and Financial Markets Association, or SIFMA, recommends the bond market closes early at noon Eastern on Friday. Over-counter markets, meanwhile, will be closed.

The US Postal Service is open Friday, as are many banks.

Are international stock markets open today?

Many international stock exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, are also closed today. The London Stock Exchange will also be closed on Monday, April 10.

How did the market perform around Good Friday?

Since 1960, the S&P 500 has averaged 0.8% higher in the week of Good Friday, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Over the past 5 years, the index posted an average 2.6% increase for the holiday week.

What about economic news?

Analysts and market watchers should take note: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its monthly jobs report on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

Economists polled by FactSet expect the unemployment rate to remain at 3.6% in March. Economists also think employers added 240,000 jobs in March, which would be a decrease from February’s 311,000.

While Friday’s report may seem unusual, the Labor Department also released monthly jobs data on Good Friday 2021.

What else should I know?

This week released February’s job openings and labor turnover survey, March’s ADP report, and jobless claims data for the week ending April 1. Those reports showed what many investors were looking for: proof that the tight labor market could loosen up. However, they also pointed to signs of a weakening US economy.

After the monthly jobs report is released, traders will likely be pondering the next steps from the Federal Reserve as it continues to try to contain inflation. So far, the central bank has raised interest rates nine times to fight high prices.

Write to Angela Palumbo at [email protected]