The stock market is open for business between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Billions of shares are traded in the American markets, making them very liquid and efficient.

Originally focused on the buy side of the transaction ... potentially impacting the stock price. After-hours trading tends to be strongest from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST, then thins out through ...

Buying stocks is quick and straightforward once you have a brokerage account. Learn how with this step-by-step guide. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising ...