Stock market closed on Christmas.
The UK stock market, also known as the London Stock Exchange, will continue its regular operation for the majority of December 2024, with a few exceptions due to public holidays. Here's a breakdown of the trading times and the days when the market will be closed during the festive season.
Typically, the UK stock market operates from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. GMT/BST, Monday to Friday, following the usual weekend closure. However, there are two significant days when trading will not take place - Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December).
On Christmas Eve (24 December), the London Stock Exchange will close at 12:30 p.m., marking the start of the Christmas holiday half-day. The markets will also close at the same time on New Year's Eve (31 December), with the closing process commencing from 12:30 p.m. London time. Both days are standard settlement days, meaning they follow the normal market procedures.
Boxing Day (26 December) is another non-trading day, but it is available as normal, meaning it will follow the usual weekend closure rules and will not be a trading day.
Investors are keeping a close eye on the potential Santa Rally this holiday season, driven by the boom in AI stocks, Bitcoin, gold, and the strong performance of the S&P 500 and FTSE 100.
It's worth noting that the London Stock Exchange follows the English and Welsh bank holidays, not those of Scotland or Northern Ireland. Therefore, the stock market will be open on St Andrew's Day (2 December 2024), which is a bank holiday in Scotland.
Investors are advised to check the official London Stock Exchange holiday calendar for 2024 for precise non-trading days, as other UK public holidays may also affect trading hours.
The Autumn Budget has brought changes for savers and investors, with inflation, mortgage rates, energy prices, and interest rates being affected. Meanwhile, the election of Donald Trump in the US has led many investors to pump money into US stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, Trump Media, and Microsoft.
For those who find the current market situation uncertain, a weekly share tips guide can help pick the best stocks for a portfolio. However, it's always essential to conduct thorough research and consider seeking advice from a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Lastly, it's important to note that this article does not contain any advertisements.
- Investors are keenly interested in the potential Santa Rally this holiday season, as the boom in AI stocks, Bitcoin, gold, and the strong performance of the S&P 500 and FTSE 100 could drive this trend.
- Gold, in particular, might attract attention due to the ongoing monitoring of its market performance during the festive season.
- In their personal finance management, investors should be aware of the changes brought by the Autumn Budget, including the impact on inflation, mortgage rates, energy prices, and interest rates.
- To make informed decisions in the stock-market, it is advisable for investors to check the official London Stock Exchange holiday calendar for 2024 and consult a financial advisor, and also consider subscribing to a weekly share tips newsletter for guidance on choosing stocks for a portfolio.
