Is the stock market open today for Good Friday? Will banks and the post office be closed?

By Charles Passy

The Christian holiday on Friday, April 3, is not a federal holiday, but there are still some key closures. Here's what you need to know.

Good Friday falls on April 3 this year.

The financial world is taking a Good Friday pause.

The two major U.S. stock exchanges - the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq - will be closed on Friday, April 3, in observance of the Christian holiday.

U.S. bond markets are expected to close early - at noon - on Good Friday, as per the recommendations set forth by SIFMA, the industry trade association.

This is a rare instance when U.S. stock exchanges take a breather on a day that is not a federal holiday. So even if you can't trade stocks, you can still expect to receive your mail - the U.S. Postal Service is open for business as usual. Banks, which typically follow the federal calendar, will generally be open as well.

Why are stock markets SPX COMP DJIA closed, then? As a post on the Nasdaq website explains, the shutdown is "largely due to historical tradition rather than any direct religious mandate... This practice has been in place since at least the late 19th century."

Nevertheless, Good Friday will still see the release of a key federal economic report - namely, the Labor Department plans to share its March employment report. Again, that's because Good Friday is not a federal holiday.

There are some other holiday shutdowns to note. Many schools are closed as part of a spring break. And FedEx (FDX) is operating with modified service, though UPS (UPS) is maintaining its regular service.

-Charles Passy

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04-03-26 0642ET