Hong Kong Stock Market Trading Hours Guide: 2025 Holidays and Half-Day Details

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Planning to invest in Hong Kong stocks in 2025? Mastering the Hong Kong stock trading hours is your first step. With the market’s average daily turnover rebounding to approximately $308 billion in 2024, precisely grasping trading sessions has become especially important.

Full-Day Core Trading Sessions

• Morning Session: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong stock trading days are divided into full-day and half-day sessions; full-day has morning and afternoon sessions, while half-day only has the morning session.
• In 2025, Hong Kong stocks have multiple closure days and half-day sessions; investors need to check the calendar in advance.
• Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect trading requires both Hong Kong and mainland markets to be open simultaneously; investors should pay attention to holidays in both locations.
• Hong Kong stocks continue trading during severe weather; investors should use online methods for operations.
• New stock listings on the first day have a special pre-opening session, different from ordinary stocks.

One Chart to Understand Hong Kong Stock Trading Hours

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To precisely seize buying and selling opportunities, you first need to familiarize yourself with the complete Hong Kong stock trading schedule. The Hong Kong securities market’s trading days are divided into “full-day” and “half-day” sessions, each with specific rules and functions. Below is a detailed breakdown for you.

Full-Day Trading Sessions

Full-day trading is the most common form of Hong Kong stock trading days. The entire trading process runs from around 9:00 AM to 4:10 PM, with a 1-hour lunch break in between.

For a more intuitive understanding, we have compiled the following table:

Closing Auction Session (CAS) Explained Hong Kong stocks do not close immediately at 4:00 PM. Most stocks enter a special “closing auction” session lasting about 8-10 minutes.

• Applicable Scope: This mechanism applies to constituents of the Hang Seng Composite Index, H-shares, and all ETFs. Warrants and CBBCs do not participate.
• Random Closing: To prevent last-minute manipulation, the final closing time is randomly determined between 16:08 and 16:10.

Half-Day Trading Sessions

On certain special days (usually the eve of major holidays, such as Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or Lunar New Year’s Eve), Hong Kong stocks implement half-day trading with no afternoon session.

The half-day trading schedule is as follows:

Derivatives Trading Hours

If you plan to trade index futures, options, or other derivatives, note that their Hong Kong stock trading hours differ from the stock market, generally longer.

• Day Session (T Session): Normal trading days for derivatives close at 4:30 PM, later than stocks. Half-day closes at 12:30 PM.
• After-Hours Session (T+1 Session): Set for global investors’ convenience in the evening.
  • Index Futures and Options: After-hours trading starts at 5:15 PM and continues until 3:00 AM the next day.
  • Other Commodity Futures: Depending on the product, trading can extend to 1:00 AM or 3:00 AM the next day.

Note: The opening time for after-hours futures trading has been adjusted from 5:00 PM to 5:15 PM, providing more preparation time after the day session closes.

2025 Hong Kong Stock Market Closures and Half-Day Arrangements

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Planning trades in advance and avoiding closure days is a key step to successful investing. In addition to regular weekend closures, Hong Kong public holidays also affect trading hours. We have compiled a complete 2025 closure and half-day calendar to help you prepare fully.

First Half-Year Closures and Half-Days

In the first half of 2025, pay special attention to Lunar New Year and Easter long holidays. These will cause multiple consecutive closure days.

Here is the detailed schedule for January to June 2025:

Second Half-Year Closures and Half-Days

In the second half, multiple public holidays will also impact trading. Additionally, eves of key year-end holidays usually have half-day sessions.

Here is the detailed schedule for July to December 2025:

Important Note The above closure arrangements are based on information published by the Hong Kong government and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). Final arrangements should refer to the latest announcements from HKEX.

Special Arrangements for Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect

If you invest via Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect (northbound or southbound), note that its trading calendar differs from the local Hong Kong market.

Core Rule: Stock Connect trading requires both Hong Kong and mainland China (Shanghai or Shenzhen) markets to be open simultaneously. If either market is closed, Stock Connect services will be suspended.

This means, in addition to Hong Kong public holidays, you must also monitor mainland China’s holiday schedule. For example, even if Hong Kong is open on a workday, if it is a mainland statutory holiday (such as Labour Day adjustments), northbound and southbound Stock Connect trading will be closed.

Specific Stock Connect trading calendars will be announced separately by HKEX; it is recommended to closely monitor official notices before long holidays.

Core Trading Session Rules Explained

Understanding the unique rules of each session can help you execute trading strategies more effectively. Hong Kong stock trading days are not simply open and close but consist of several distinct sessions with different functions.

Pre-Opening Session Rules

The pre-opening session (9:00 AM - 9:30 AM) is key for determining the day’s opening price. During this phase, real-time trading is not possible, but you can input or modify buy/sell orders in advance. The system matches a fair opening price based on all orders.

This session is divided into four main phases:

Continuous Trading Session Rules

Continuous trading sessions (morning 9:30 - 12:00 and afternoon 13:00 - 16:00) are the most active periods. During this time, you can buy/sell anytime, with orders matched on price priority and time priority. You can easily submit different order types via apps like Biyapay to execute your strategies.

Tip: Understanding different order types is crucial, directly affecting execution price and speed.

Here are some of the most common order types:

• Market Order: Instructs the system to execute immediately at the current best market price. Fast execution but price may not match expectations.
• Limit Order: Sets a specific buy or sell price. Order executes only when market reaches your price.
• Stop-Loss Order: Activates when price hits your stop-loss level, typically used to control potential losses.

Closing Auction Session Rules

The closing auction session (CAS) occurs after 16:00 continuous trading, aiming to provide a fair closing price. This mechanism does not apply to all securities.

Main securities participating in closing auction include:

• All constituents of Hang Seng Composite LargeCap and MidCap Indices
• H-shares with corresponding A-shares listed on mainland exchanges
• All exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

This session also has random closing; final time randomly determined between 16:08 and 16:10 to prevent last-minute manipulation.

Special Situations Trading Arrangements to Know

In addition to regular trading days, you need to understand arrangements under special conditions. These rules help you handle unexpected market situations calmly.

Severe Weather Response Mechanism

Hong Kong often experiences typhoons or heavy rain. In the past, this usually meant market suspension.

Major Change: Note that since September 23, 2024, HKEX implemented new “severe weather trading” rules. Now, even during typhoon signal 8 or above or black rainstorm warnings, securities and derivatives markets continue trading.

This new arrangement enhances market continuity. Key points to understand:

• Trading Continues Normally: No delays or suspensions due to severe weather.
• Encourages Remote Operations: Exchanges encourage investors and participants to use online services for trading and settlement.
• Fund Management Tip: During severe weather, physical bank branches may close, affecting deposits/withdrawals. Consider digital financial apps like Biyapay for anytime fund management or currency exchange, ensuring your plans are unaffected.

Additionally, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has clarified that trading days during severe weather are still considered normal “business days” for regulatory purposes.

New Stock Listing Day Trading Rules

When a new stock (IPO) lists for the first time, its opening rules differ from ordinary stocks. Pay attention to a special “pre-opening” session.

On IPO first day, the pre-opening session is longer to determine a fair opening price via auction. This process is divided into several phases:

This ensures all participants start at the same price. After this special pre-opening, trading proceeds like ordinary stocks in continuous sessions.

We hope this guide helps you fully master 2025 Hong Kong stock trading hours. Remember key times: Per HKEX rules, full-day closes at 4:00 PM, half-day at 12:00 PM.

Expert Tip 💡 To ensure flawless trading plans, add the closure calendar to your personal schedule and monitor official HKEX info, such as company news and regulatory announcements, for the latest updates.

FAQ

Can I place orders during the Hong Kong stock lunch break?

No. During the 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM lunch break, the trading system closes. You cannot submit new orders or modify/cancel existing ones. All activities resume after 1:00 PM afternoon session opens.

Can I trade Hong Kong stocks on weekends?

No. The Hong Kong securities market is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. You can only trade Monday to Friday. Plan trades in advance to avoid weekend closures.

During typhoon signal 8 or black rainstorm warning, does Hong Kong stock market open?

Yes, it operates normally. Per new rules effective September 2024, securities and derivatives markets continue trading during severe weather warnings. Use online channels and manage funds in advance.

Why sometimes Hong Kong is open, but Stock Connect cannot trade?

Because Stock Connect requires Hong Kong and mainland China markets to be open simultaneously. If it is a mainland statutory holiday, even if Hong Kong is open normally, Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect (southbound and northbound) will close. Monitor holiday schedules in both locations.