Stock Market on Pause for Juneteenth – A Mid-Week Break After a Busy 2024
Investors are catching their breath this Wednesday as the U.S. financial markets close in observance of Juneteenth.
The year so far has been a rollercoaster ride. We’ve seen the AI investment boom, a resurgence of meme stock frenzy, and the Federal Reserve’s ongoing battle against inflation. Despite the volatility, all three major indexes remain positive year-to-date. The Dow is up 3%, the S&P 500 has climbed 15%, and the Nasdaq is leading the pack with a 19% increase.
Juneteenth Holiday Closures:
- U.S. Stock Exchanges: Closed on Wednesday, June 19th. This includes the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq Stock Market.
- Bond Markets: U.S. bond markets will also be closed.
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Markets: OTC markets will be closed as well.
Trading will resume on Thursday, June 20th at 9:30 am Eastern Time.
International Markets:
Looking to trade overseas? Major exchanges in London, Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Shanghai will all be open for business on Wednesday.
About Juneteenth:
Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the end of slavery.
Here’s a quick history lesson: While President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declared enslaved people in Confederate states free, news didn’t reach enslaved people in Texas until June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston to announce their freedom.
Celebrations began in Texas the following year, and Juneteenth became a state holiday in 1980. Finally, in 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday.
Other Closures:
- U.S. Post Office: Closed on June 19th. No regular mail delivery, except for Priority Mail Express.
- Banks: Most banks will also be closed on Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom and reflect on the history of slavery in the U.S. While the stock market takes a pause, it’s a good opportunity to learn more about this important holiday.