Daily Trading Sessions
The Saudi financial market operates Sunday through Thursday, with each daily trading session consisting of four consecutive periods in Riyadh time (GMT+3):
Pre-Opening Session
Order entry, modification, and cancellation session without actual execution. The opening price is determined based on accumulated supply and demand through an auction mechanism.
Main Trading Session
The core session for executing buy and sell trades. Trading operates on a continuous automatic matching system where orders are executed as prices match between buyers and sellers.
Closing Auction
A brief session to determine the official closing price for each stock through a random closing auction mechanism. New orders can be entered but execution only occurs when the auction ends.
Trading at Close Price
A short period during which trades can only be executed at the closing price set during the closing auction. Useful for institutional investors executing large orders.
Weekly Trading Schedule
| Day | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Open | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| Monday | Open | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| Tuesday | Open | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| Wednesday | Open | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| Thursday | Open | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| Friday | Closed | Weekend |
| Saturday | Closed | Weekend |
Saudi Market Public Holidays
Tadawul closes during the following official occasions. Exact closure dates are announced before each event:
Eid Al-Fitr Holiday
Typically 5-7 business days
Eid Al-Adha Holiday
Typically 7-10 business days
Saudi National Day
September 23 each year
Founding Day
February 22 each year
Note: Eid holiday dates vary annually based on the Hijri calendar. Tadawul publishes official dates on its website before each occasion.
Important Trading Hours Information
Time Zone
All trading times are in Riyadh time (GMT+3 / AST). Saudi Arabia does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference remains constant throughout the year.
Settlement and Clearing
Stock trades settle within two business days (T+2). If you buy a stock on Sunday, the trade settles on Tuesday. You can sell the stock immediately after purchase without waiting for settlement.
Order Validity
You can set order validity for one day (expires at session close) or until a specific date (open order). Unexecuted orders are automatically cancelled upon expiration.
Investor's Guide to Maximizing Trading Hours
The Importance of the Pre-Opening Session
The pre-opening session is one of the most important periods that many investors overlook. During this time, you can monitor the accumulated order volume for stocks like Aramco and Al Rajhi Bank to gauge market direction before actual trading begins. Professional traders monitor pre-opening orders via the TASI Live page.
Time-Based Trading Strategies
The highest trading volumes in TASI are concentrated in the first hour (10:00 - 11:00) and last hour (14:00 - 15:00) of the session. Active traders prefer to execute orders during high-liquidity periods to minimize the bid-ask spread. Long-term investors can execute their orders mid-session when prices tend to be more stable.
Trading Hours FAQ
When does the Saudi stock market open?
The Saudi stock market (Tadawul) opens at 10:00 AM Riyadh time (GMT+3). The pre-opening session begins at 9:30 AM when orders can be entered. The market operates Sunday through Thursday.
When does the Saudi stock market close?
The main trading session ends at 3:00 PM Riyadh time. It is followed by the closing auction from 3:00 to 3:10 PM, then trading at close price from 3:10 to 3:20 PM.
Can I trade on Friday?
No, Friday and Saturday are official market holidays. The trading week starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday.
What public holidays does the market close for?
The market closes for Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Saudi National Day (September 23), and Founding Day (February 22). Tadawul announces official closure dates before each occasion.
What is the closing auction and how does it work?
The closing auction is a mechanism to determine a fair closing price for each stock. During 3:00 to 3:10 PM, new orders can be entered, then they are executed randomly within 30 seconds to prevent manipulation. The resulting price is the official closing price.
Information provided is for educational purposes only. Schedules are subject to change per official Tadawul announcements.