By Mackenzie Tatananni

Memorial Day is here, and the markets have a lot to digest. Global trade policy remains an ever-evolving landscape, with President Donald Trump pledging to drive consumers to buy more American-made goods by imposing taxes on U.S. trading partners.

The latest earnings season kicked off in mid-April, and a flood of reports from retailers in May have shown how companies are grappling with macroeconomic pressures.

But the Monday holiday is more than just a chance to catch a break. It's a day of remembrance and mourning, and is one of three days meant for honoring U.S. military personnel each year. Here's what investors should know about trading hours on Monday.

Is the Stock Market Open or Closed on Memorial Day?

The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will both will be closed on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. They will reopen at their usual time, 9:30 a.m. Eastern, on Tuesday.

The U.S. bond market and over-the-counter markets will also be closed for the holiday.

What About International Markets?

As Memorial Day is strictly a U.S. holiday, international markets will be open on Monday.

These include the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the Euronext Paris.

Will Banks and Post Offices Be Open?

Most banks will be closed on Monday, as they generally follow the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule. Branches at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase will all be closed, among others.

Post offices will also be closed. Memorial Day is one of 11 U.S. Postal Service holidays observed in 2025, according to the agency's website.

What About Private Carriers?

Most FedEx services will be unavailable, including Freight and Logistics. FedEx Custom Critical, which offers expedited shipping for packages that need extra attention, will be operational. FedEx Office locations will have modified hours, but these may differ by location.

UPS won't offer pickup or delivery service on Monday, though Express Critical services are available 24/7. UPS Store locations may be close -- the carrier advises that you check with your local store for specific hours of operation.

How Has the Market Performed Around Memorial Day?

The benchmark S&P 500 has averaged a 0.5% gain in the week following Memorial Day since the holiday was established in 1971. However, the trend appears to have reversed since 2010, with the index averaging a 0.4% loss over the same period.

You may have also heard the saying "sell in May and go away," which suggests investors should sell their holdings in May and reinvest in November to avoid a period of low returns in the summer.

There is some truth to the adage. May is a historically weaker month, according to Dow Jones Market Data. On average, the S&P 500 has gained 1% each May over the past 10 years and 0.4% over the past 20 years.

Data for June varies. While the 10-year average return is 1.2%, the S&P has fallen an average of 1% each June over the past two decades.

However, July has generally yielded better returns. The S&P has gained an average of 3.4% each July over the past 10 years, and 2.5% each July over the past 20 years.

What Else Should I Know About Memorial Day?

Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May each year, and is dedicated to honoring deceased men and women who served in the U.S. military, both during wartime and times of peace. The holiday was first known as "Decoration Day" and formalized through an order issued by prominent Civil War general John Alexander Logan in 1868.

Logan was the third commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the group established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971, which is when it was formally placed on the last Monday of May.

Memorial Day is one of three holidays meant to honor American soldiers. Armed Forces Day is unofficially held on the third Saturday of May to celebrate those who currently serve in the armed forces, while Veterans Day on Nov. 11 honors former service members.

Other countries have their own days of remembrance. Australia's Anzac Day, the U.K.'s Remembrance Sunday, and France's Armistice Day are just some examples. South Korea observes its own Memorial Day on June 6, which is particularly meant to honor those who served during the Korean War.

Write to Mackenzie Tatananni at mackenzie.tatananni@barrons.com

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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May 26, 2025 00:01 ET (04:01 GMT)

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