Futures trading hours vary by exchange and contract, with many CME futures trading nearly 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday.
CME equity index futures such as ES and NQ generally trade from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, with a daily maintenance period from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
When it comes to futures trading, it’s important to know the trading hours for the specific futures contract you trade. Trading hours, volume, and liquidity can vary depending on the market and time of day.
What Are CME Futures Trading Hours?
CME futures trading hours vary by product. Many CME futures contracts trade on Globex nearly 24 hours a day from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon, with a daily maintenance period.
If you trade equity index futures such as ES, NQ, MES, or MNQ, it’s important to know when the market is open and when volume and liquidity tend to increase.
Learn more about E-mini futures contracts and Micro futures.
Provided by Charles Schwab.
CME Globex Futures Trading Hours
Many CME futures contracts trade on Globex nearly 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday, with a daily maintenance period. Trading hours vary by futures product, and holiday schedules can change regular trading hours.
Check CME Group trading hours for the current schedule. You can also learn more about the platform in our Globex Futures guide and CME Group review.
ES Futures Chart Example
This is a weekly chart of ES. Notice the Fibonacci retracement levels. In this example, the price currently trades at the 100% level. It’s at the top of a rising wedge pattern, indicating near resistance, and may be looking to pull back.
It’s essential to identify key support and resistance levels on the larger time frames before zooming in on the charts and day trading futures. If you’re still learning chart structure, see our guide on how to read futures charts.
Equity Indices
United States equity index futures trade around the clock, with a daily break. Understanding when equity index futures have the most volume means understanding the different trading sessions.
ES and NQ track major U.S. stock market indexes. Learn more about the indexes behind these contracts in our stock market indexes list.
Morning Overlap Session all CST:
- 8:30 AM – the markets open for U.S. session trading.
- 10:30 AM – European equity markets closed for trading.
- The 8:30 – 10:30 AM session is the most liquid and is referred to as the U.S. and EUR “overlap.” This can extend to noon daily.
- European traders will close their positions, forcing an increase in the volume.
Afternoon Closing Session:
- 1:00 PM – institutional/professional trading volume picks up.
- 3:00 PM – market on close orders are processed (MOCs), and the U.S. closes officially.
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM is the most liquid part of the afternoon as professional traders balance their books into the close, the last 20 minutes or so into 3:00 PM, the highest volume.
Can You Trade Futures Overnight?
Yes. Many futures contracts trade overnight, which gives traders access to the market during Asian and European sessions as well as U.S. market hours.
For night owls, there is an evening session with decent volume and opportunity when the London session overlaps with the Asian session. If news is released from Asian markets, such as China, volume is likely to increase.
Futures Trading Holiday Hours 2026
Futures may trade on modified hours during U.S. holidays. Check the CME Group holiday schedule for the specific futures contract before trading because opening and closing times can change.
Updated 2026 by CME Group.
NQ Futures Trading Hours
NQ futures trading hours are generally Sunday from 6:00 p.m. through Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET, with a daily maintenance period from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
NQ is the E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contract. If you’re comparing index futures contracts, see our guide to E-mini futures contracts.
Crude Oil Futures Trading Hours (CL)
Crude oil futures trade nearly 24 hours a day from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon, with a daily maintenance break.
Oil and Energy have a similar overlap and closing pattern, characterized by high volatility. Understanding how sectors and indices work is important, especially if you buy and sell during the day.
Crude Oil and Energy Hours (CL):
- CL opens its “pit session” at 8 AM CST
- European trading closes at 10:30 AM CST
- Most liquid, between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- The pit session closes at 1:30 PM CST; floor trading stops for the day
- Best trading is the last hour between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM CST when institutional positions are closed
Final Thoughts on Futures Trading Hours
Volume means more opportunity. Make sure you’re in the market when it’s most favorable. Please keep this in mind when you start trading. Never put too much at risk, and as always, we wish you the best of luck with your trades. Also, during ES futures trading hours, you will find us in our trade room. Come and join us below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Futures can be traded nearly 24 hours per day, depending on the contract. There are daily maintenance periods, and volume and liquidity vary throughout the trading day.
Dow futures generally trade Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, with a daily maintenance period.
Futures may have modified trading hours on holidays. Check the exchange's holiday schedule and the specific futures contract before trading.
Many futures markets trade nearly 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday. They are not continuously open 24/7, and daily maintenance periods and holiday schedules may apply.
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) futures generally trade Sunday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, with a daily maintenance period from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
CME equity index futures such as ES and NQ generally open Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. CT).
