Charles Schwab expands 24-hour trading access to all retail clients, allowing trades of S&P 500, Nasdaq-100 stocks, and hundreds of ETFs.
“In today’s world, market-moving news doesn’t wait for standard market hours,” said James Kostulias, Managing Director at Charles Schwab.
Charles
Schwab has expanded 24-hour trading access to its retail client base, joining a
broader industry movement toward round-the-clock market accessibility. The
financial services firm, which oversees $10.10 trillion in client assets,
announced yesterday (Wednesday) that retail traders can now trade S&P 500
and Nasdaq-100 stocks alongside hundreds of ETFs outside regular market
hours.
Schwab Rolls Out 24-Hour
Trading to $10 Trillion Client Base
Through
Schwab's thinkorswim platform, traders can now place continuous overnight
session orders (EXTO) that expire at 8 p.m. ET each market day. This development
follows the company's gradual expansion of a pilot program initiated in
November 2024.
James Kostulias, Managing Director and Head of Trading Services at Charles Schwab
“In today’s
world, market-moving news doesn’t wait for standard market hours,” said James
Kostulias, Managing Director and Head of Trading Services at Charles Schwab. “Retail
traders know what a difference it can make to have access to the markets when
volatility spikes.”
Analysis of
the pilot program revealed that overnight trading patterns largely reflected
traditional market behavior. Peak activity occurred between 8–9 p.m. ET and 3–4 a.m. ET, comparable to volume spikes typically observed during regular market
opens and closes. Technology stocks dominated trading activity during extended
hours, with companies like Tesla, NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir Technologies, and
MicroStrategy seeing significant volume.
“Each day,
Schwab facilitates about twice the trades of any competitor that shares that
figure publicly, and we know that expanding access to overnight trading to our
millions of clients is a significant milestone not just for Schwab but for our
industry,” Kostulias added.
In the
U.S., traditional stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and
Nasdaq operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). However, some brokers
and trading platforms offer 24-hour trading on popular indices like the S&P
500, Nasdaq-100, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and certain ETFs. This is made
possible through a combination of extended trading hours, futures markets, and
alternative trading systems (ATSs).
For example,
the CME Group runs nearly 24-hour futures trading, letting investors buy and
sell contracts tied to major indices outside regular stock market hours. Additionally,
electronic trading networks (ECNs) and alternative trading systems (ATSs), such
as Instinet and NYSE Arca, match buyers and sellers outside traditional
exchange hours. Some brokers even enable 24-hour ETF trading, letting investors
trade index-tracking funds overnight to react to global market changes.
However,
extended-hours trading carries distinct considerations for investors. These
sessions typically experience lower trading volumes than regular market hours,
which can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and potentially increased price
volatility. Market participants are advised to understand these characteristics
when engaging in after-hours trading.
Night Owl Trading Becomes
Popular
The move
comes as several major brokerages have recently enhanced their extended-hours
trading capabilities, reflecting increasing demand from retail investors for
flexible trading hours. While Schwab processes approximately six million daily
trades, other leading firms have also been developing similar offerings to
accommodate investors trading during non-traditional hours.
Recent data
indicates an increasing demand for trading beyond standard market hours. A March
report from Robinhood found that up to 25% of trading activity occurs outside
regular sessions. In response, Robinhood introduced a 24-hour trading service
last year, enabling investors to place limit orders from Sunday evening to
Friday evening. The NYSE is now considering expanding trading options to
include market orders.
This
expansion of trading hours across the industry marks a significant shift in
retail investor access to markets, reflecting both technological advances and
changing investor preferences in an increasingly global marketplace.
Charles
Schwab has expanded 24-hour trading access to its retail client base, joining a
broader industry movement toward round-the-clock market accessibility. The
financial services firm, which oversees $10.10 trillion in client assets,
announced yesterday (Wednesday) that retail traders can now trade S&P 500
and Nasdaq-100 stocks alongside hundreds of ETFs outside regular market
hours.
Schwab Rolls Out 24-Hour
Trading to $10 Trillion Client Base
Through
Schwab's thinkorswim platform, traders can now place continuous overnight
session orders (EXTO) that expire at 8 p.m. ET each market day. This development
follows the company's gradual expansion of a pilot program initiated in
November 2024.
James Kostulias, Managing Director and Head of Trading Services at Charles Schwab
“In today’s
world, market-moving news doesn’t wait for standard market hours,” said James
Kostulias, Managing Director and Head of Trading Services at Charles Schwab. “Retail
traders know what a difference it can make to have access to the markets when
volatility spikes.”
Analysis of
the pilot program revealed that overnight trading patterns largely reflected
traditional market behavior. Peak activity occurred between 8–9 p.m. ET and 3–4 a.m. ET, comparable to volume spikes typically observed during regular market
opens and closes. Technology stocks dominated trading activity during extended
hours, with companies like Tesla, NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir Technologies, and
MicroStrategy seeing significant volume.
“Each day,
Schwab facilitates about twice the trades of any competitor that shares that
figure publicly, and we know that expanding access to overnight trading to our
millions of clients is a significant milestone not just for Schwab but for our
industry,” Kostulias added.
In the
U.S., traditional stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and
Nasdaq operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). However, some brokers
and trading platforms offer 24-hour trading on popular indices like the S&P
500, Nasdaq-100, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and certain ETFs. This is made
possible through a combination of extended trading hours, futures markets, and
alternative trading systems (ATSs).
For example,
the CME Group runs nearly 24-hour futures trading, letting investors buy and
sell contracts tied to major indices outside regular stock market hours. Additionally,
electronic trading networks (ECNs) and alternative trading systems (ATSs), such
as Instinet and NYSE Arca, match buyers and sellers outside traditional
exchange hours. Some brokers even enable 24-hour ETF trading, letting investors
trade index-tracking funds overnight to react to global market changes.
However,
extended-hours trading carries distinct considerations for investors. These
sessions typically experience lower trading volumes than regular market hours,
which can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and potentially increased price
volatility. Market participants are advised to understand these characteristics
when engaging in after-hours trading.
Night Owl Trading Becomes
Popular
The move
comes as several major brokerages have recently enhanced their extended-hours
trading capabilities, reflecting increasing demand from retail investors for
flexible trading hours. While Schwab processes approximately six million daily
trades, other leading firms have also been developing similar offerings to
accommodate investors trading during non-traditional hours.
Recent data
indicates an increasing demand for trading beyond standard market hours. A March
report from Robinhood found that up to 25% of trading activity occurs outside
regular sessions. In response, Robinhood introduced a 24-hour trading service
last year, enabling investors to place limit orders from Sunday evening to
Friday evening. The NYSE is now considering expanding trading options to
include market orders.
This
expansion of trading hours across the industry marks a significant shift in
retail investor access to markets, reflecting both technological advances and
changing investor preferences in an increasingly global marketplace.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
CySEC Fines Wonderinterest €100K, Operator of CFD Brokers Zetano and Investago
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
