Been wondering about this for a while now. I know regular stock trading has extended hours but what about options?
Can you actually sell your options positions after the market closes? Or do you have to wait until the next trading day?
Tried looking this up but getting mixed information everywhere.
Options trading stops at 4 PM ET when the regular market closes. Unlike stocks, you can’t trade options during extended hours - the market just shuts down completely.
There are a few exceptions. Some index options like SPX trade for about 15 minutes after close, but that’s it. Regular equity options most people trade? Done once the closing bell rings.
This caught me off guard when I started trading options. I was used to trading stocks until 8 PM and assumed options worked the same way. They don’t.
If you’re holding options and want to close a position, do it during regular hours or wait until 9:30 AM the next trading day.
Options markets close at 4 PM sharp - you’re stuck until next day.
Learned this the hard way with SPY calls during earnings. Stock kept moving after hours but couldn’t touch my position.
Watched $200 profit turn into $150 loss by open because of overnight news.
Options trading stops at 4 PM sharp when the market closes. Unlike stocks, there’s no after-hours trading.
Some index options might get a few extra minutes, but regular equity options? Done for the day.
It’s way less flexible than stocks where you can still react to breaking news after hours.
Regular equity options cut off at 4 PM ET sharp - no after-hours trading.
• SPX/SPY options get 15 extra minutes until 4:15 PM
• Everything else stops at 4 PM
Make sure you plan your exits before the market closes.
Most brokers cut off options at 4 PM, but some let you trade SPX until 4:15 PM.