One of the biggest shopping days of the year is finally here: Black Friday.
Most forecasters are predicting that retail sales will increase between 3% and 5% this holiday season, compared with last year. That’s roughly in line with the average annual increase over the decade before the pandemic, according to estimates from the National Retail Federation, Barron’s reported last week.
Here’s what investors should know about trading hours on Friday.
Is the Stock Market Open on Black Friday?
The New York Stock Exchange, the
Nasdaq Stock Market,
and over-the-counter markets will open at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Friday but close early at 1 p.m. Bond markets are slated to open at 8 a.m. Eastern, before closing at 2 p.m.
Are International Markets Open on Black Friday?
Foreign stock exchanges—including those in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Toronto, and Tokyo—will be open Friday.
What Is Black Friday, and Where Does It Get Its Name From?
Black Friday, which falls a day after Thanksgiving, is known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year, as consumers flock to stores and websites to snap up deals ahead of the holidays.
Lots of people mistakenly believe the name “Black Friday” stems from businesses being nudged “into the black” when they turn profits the day after Thanksgiving, according to Britannica.
The phrase gets its roots from Philadelphia police, who used it in the 1960s to describe tumult caused by throngs of visitors and holiday shoppers, the site explains.
Are Banks and Post Offices Open Today?
Banks, post offices, and
UPS
will be open on Friday. Most
FedEx
services will be available as well.
How Has the Stock Market Performed the Week of Thanksgiving?
If history is any indication, markets may post small gains this week. Since 1950, on average, the
S&P 500
has edged 0.7% higher during Thanksgiving week, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
How Are Markets Performing This Year?
With about a month left in 2023, the three major U.S. indexes are solidly in the green. This year, the
Dow Jones Industrial Average
is up 6.4%, the
S&P 500
is 19% higher, and the
Nasdaq Composite
is up 36%.
Write to Emily Dattilo at [email protected]
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