US commission-free online brokerage firm Firstrade plans to launch overnight trading for stocks and ETFs next year. This upcoming feature, scheduled for the first quarter of next year, aims to allow investors to trade 20 hours a day, five days a week.

According to the company, this offering offers international traders a way to seize opportunities across global market movements and breaking news.

20-Hour Trading Schedule

Firstrade will extend trading hours from 8:00 AM ET to 4:00 AM ET the following day. By bridging the time gap, the brokerage firm now aims to attract international investors seeking a more adaptable approach to US market participation.

Commenting about the new move, John Liu, the CEO of Firstrade, said: “At Firstrade, we are committed to providing our users with robust investment tools and resources so they can capture market opportunities no matter where they are. With the introduction of overnight trading, we're enhancing the client experience to meet the evolving and diverse needs of our investors.”

For many traders, this schedule enhances the ability to act swiftly on events impacting global markets, mitigating the restrictions of traditional hours. The extended trading hours reportedly align with the growing demand for flexibility and agility in an interconnected global economy.

Online and Mobile Platforms

Firstrade mentioned that traders no longer need to be tethered to market hours in New York to capitalize on opportunities with the new offering, a move that now enhances the appeal of US markets worldwide. The phased rollout, planned for early 2025, will reportedly be available across Firstrade’s online and mobile platforms, ensuring accessibility for all user preferences.

Founded in 1985, Firstrade offers commission-free trading and a range of financial products, including stocks, ETFs, fixed-income products, and retirement services. Last month, the Firstrade mobile app expanded its alliance with Trading Central, integrating the company's investment research tools into a smartphone application.

This collaboration reportedly added a range of Trading Central tools to Firstrade's mobile app, including Technical Insight, TC Market Buzz, and thematic portfolios.

Firstrade also launched FirstradeGPT, an artificial intelligence-driven research and analysis tool, in June. Created in collaboration with FinChat.io, the platform uses AI to provide in-depth data on global equities and business-specific key performance indicators.