Do Stocks Have Trading Halts?

A trading halt occurs in the U.S. when a stock exchange stops trading on a specific security for a certain time period. The halt, which can happen a few times a day per security if FINRA deems it, usually lasts for one hour, but is not limited to that. Trading halts can happen any time of day.

Who halts trading on a stock?

Who imposes these halts? Trading halts are usually put in place by one or more of the stock exchanges or the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). A trading halt for a specific security could be due to a number of reasons, like waiting for substantial news to be released or periods of high volatility.

Is it legal to halt trading on a stock?

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is authorized under federal law to suspend trading in any stock for a period of up to 10 business days. The SEC issues a suspension when it believes that the investing public may be at risk. ... Current and past trading suspensions are available on the SEC's website.

David Miller

David Miller

Executive Financial & Market Analyst

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.