By Mackenzie Tatananni
Thanksgiving is here, and it's time to be grateful -- though many investors may be wondering what exactly they should thank the market for.
Admittedly, November has been a rocky ride. The once-boundless optimism for artificial intelligence has worn thin, with concerns over stretched AI valuations sparking multiple selloffs.
However, it's time for a break from all the noise. Here is what investors should know about Thursday's trading hours.
Is the Stock Market Open or Closed on Thanksgiving?
The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed in honor of Thanksgiving, which is a federal holiday. The U.S. bond market and over-the-counter markets will also be closed.
Are International Markets Open for Thanksgiving?
Foreign stock exchanges will be open Thursday. These include the largest exchanges in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and London, to name a few.
Are Banks and Post Offices Open Today? What About Private Carriers?
Banks and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed. Thanksgiving is one of 11 U.S. Postal Service holidays observed in 2025, according to the agency's website.
While some UPS Store locations will be open, the carrier's Domestic Ground, Air, and International shipping services will grind to a halt on the holiday. FedEx, too, will mostly be out of commission, though its Custom Critical services will be up and running.
How Has the Stock Market Performed Around Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving week -- which includes trading sessions directly before and after the holiday -- has historically been a period of stock market gains. In 2024, the benchmark S&P 500 rose 1.1% during the holiday week. This pattern holds over increasingly longer periods: For the past five years, the index has gained an average of 0.7% during Thanksgiving week, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Over the past decade, the S&P 500 averaged a 0.3% gain during the week.
It's unclear if this pattern will break in 2025. Due to market concentration, with a small number of technology companies driving broader performance, concerns over stretched artificial-intelligence valuations have weighed on the major indexes.
So far this month, the S&P 500 has fallen 0.4%, defying a historical trend that has earned November a reputation as one of the strongest months of the year. By comparison, the index gained roughly 5% over the same period last year.
What Else Should I Know About Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is thought to be modeled on a 1621 harvest meal between the Wampanoag people and English colonists known as Pilgrims. However, the feast didn't lead to lasting peace between the two groups, and thousands were killed in King Philip's War in 1675.
Thanksgiving officially became a federal holiday in the midst of the Civil War. In October 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 26 of that year.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to shift the date back a week in 1939, in a bid to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy. However, some U.S. states disagreed with the change. In 1941, Roosevelt signed a bill designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.
In modern times, the holiday is seen as a day to gather with loved ones and express gratitude. Observers typically indulge in a hearty meal with staples such as turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. It is also customary to attend parades with floats and live performances, such as the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is held annually in New York City.
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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November 27, 2025 00:01 ET (05:01 GMT)
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