Asian investors increased trading on U.S. stocks during unusual hours last year, according to a popular trading platform, signaling a growing shift toward around-the-clock stock trading. After-hours trading platform company Blue Ocean Technologies LLC said trading volume on the platform tripled in 2024. About 80% of the company's revenue comes from Asian customers.
Asian investors’ participation in after-hours trading on U.S. stocks has surged, in part reflecting their growing need to trade on macro news. U.S. President Donald Trump's 24/7 use of social media also fueled growth in after-hours trading, market participants said.
"Many investors want to change to a 24/5 or 24/7 model," said liquidity provider Flow Traders Ltd. Asia CEO Fabian Rijlaarsdam said. “There appears to be increased demand for immediate trading when Trump tweets or Nvidia reports earnings.”
But off-peak trading also has drawbacks. Volume remains small compared to U.S. market trading hours because there are fewer buyers and sellers, which causes bid-ask spreads to tend to widen.
As investors outside the United States become increasingly important, global exchanges are trying to extend trading hours. Follow CboeGlobalMarketsInc. Following in its footsteps, Nasdaq said last week it was planning to offer 24-hour stock trading services. The New York Stock Exchange has requested regulatory approval to extend trading hours to 22 hours.