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The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed on Presidents Day 2021.
Spencer Platt / Getty Images
Almost a year ago, the Covid-19 pandemic had just started to rock US stocks. Still, the prospect of a year of shutdown in the US seemed far-fetched at the time. And yet, the
S&P 500 index
is up 16% from a year ago.
Investors are optimistic about hopes of a return to normalcy in the coming months as states roll out Covid-19 vaccinations. For now, traders in the US are getting some free time for Presidents Day.
The federal holiday, which dates back to 1885 and was instituted to recognize George Washington, takes place on the third Monday in February. It has since expanded to celebrate all of the US presidents. Government offices are closed today and it is a public holiday. The US Postal Service does not deliver mail on President Day.
Is the stock market open on President Day 2021?
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed on Monday, February 15. The US bond markets and over-the-counter markets will also be closed for that day. Both US senior exchanges reopen on Tuesday at 9:30 am
Are international markets closed on President Day 2021?
The Shanghai Stock Exchange is closed until Wednesday, local time. That’s because of the Lunar New Year, not the day of the President. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is closed on Mondays for the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. The Toronto Stock Exchange is closed for Family Day in Canada on Feb. 15.
The London Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange are open on Mondays during normal trading hours.
What about the rest of the week?
Some American schools are closed for holidays all week of Presidents Day. Traders could try the same.
If we go back to February 1971, the S&P 500 index fell an average of 0.1% on the Tuesday following Presidents Day, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The average performance during the week of Presidents Day is down 0.05%, with the index rising in half of the 50 weeks.
Write to Connor Smith at [email protected]