Hey there, aspiring trader! Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your Webull platform and dive into the exciting world of extended-hours trading? Whether you're an early bird catching pre-market moves or a night owl reacting to after-hours news, knowing how to visualize and trade during these times is crucial. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you don't miss a beat. Let's get started!
Demystifying Extended Hours on Webull: Your Ultimate Guide
Extended hours trading refers to the periods when financial markets are open for trading outside of the standard 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET (Eastern Time) regular market session. Webull offers robust access to these critical periods, which include:
Pre-Market Session: Typically from 4:00 AM ET to 9:30 AM ET. This is where you can react to overnight news, earnings reports released before the market opens, and early sentiment shifts.
After-Hours Session: Generally from 4:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET. This allows you to respond to news released after the market closes, late-day earnings, and immediate post-market reactions.
Overnight Trading: Webull has even expanded its offerings with Overnight Trading, available from 8:00 PM ET to 4:00 AM ET, Sunday through Thursday, in collaboration with Blue Ocean ATS. This provides almost 24/5 access to the US markets for select securities.
Understanding and utilizing these extended hours can give you a significant edge, allowing you to capitalize on opportunities that arise outside of regular trading times.
Step 1: Getting Started - Are You Ready for Extended Hours?
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's ensure you're aware of a few important considerations regarding extended hours trading. It's not just about turning on a setting; it's about understanding the environment.
Higher Volatility & Lower Liquidity: Extended hours typically have fewer participants, which can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and more volatile price swings. Prices can change rapidly and significantly.
Limit Orders Only: During extended hours, you can generally only place limit orders. This means you set a specific price at which you're willing to buy or sell, giving you more control over your execution. Market orders, which execute at the best available price, are usually not allowed due to the liquidity concerns.
News Driven: Many significant company announcements, like earnings reports, happen outside regular market hours. Extended hours trading allows you to react to these announcements immediately.
Risk of Unlinked Markets: Prices displayed on one extended hours system might not perfectly reflect prices on others. This means you could potentially receive an inferior price compared to what's available elsewhere.
Ready to proceed? Fantastic! Let's get to the practical steps of showing extended hours on your Webull charts.
Step 2: Displaying Extended Hours on Your Webull Chart (Mobile App)
The Webull mobile app is a powerhouse for on-the-go trading. Here's how to ensure you're seeing the full picture, including extended hours data.
2.1 Navigate to the Stock's Chart
Open the Webull App: Launch the Webull application on your smartphone or tablet.
Search for Your Symbol: In the search bar at the top, type the ticker symbol of the stock you want to analyze (e.g., TSLA for Tesla, AAPL for Apple).
Access the Chart: Tap on the stock's name from the search results. This will take you to the detailed quote page, where the chart is prominently displayed.
2.2 Enabling Extended Hours on the Chart
This is where the magic happens!
Locate the Chart Toolbox: Look for a clover icon (or a settings gear/wrench icon, depending on your app version) at the bottom right of the chart display. Tap on it.
Access Chart Settings: Within the Chart Toolbox, you'll see various options. Look for and tap on "Settings".
Toggle "Including Extended Hours": In the Chart Settings menu, you'll find an option clearly labeled "Including Extended Hours" (or similar, such as "Extend Hours Chart Display"). Make sure the toggle switch next to this option is turned ON (it will usually appear green or blue when active).
Optional: Overnight Trading Display: If you want to see the new overnight trading hours (8 PM to 4 AM ET), look for an "Overnight" option within "Extend Hours Chart Display" and enable it. This will extend the chart even further.
Confirm: Once toggled, you can usually just tap outside the settings menu or go back to see the changes immediately reflected on your chart. You'll notice the chart now displays activity before 9:30 AM ET and after 4:00 PM ET.
Step 3: Displaying Extended Hours on Your Webull Chart (Desktop Platform)
For traders who prefer a larger screen and more robust analysis tools, the Webull Desktop platform is ideal. The process is slightly different but just as straightforward.
3.1 Open Webull Desktop and Select a Stock
Launch Webull Desktop: Open the Webull Desktop application on your computer.
Find Your Stock: Either use the search bar or navigate to a watchlist or portfolio to select the stock you wish to view. Clicking on the stock will bring up its detailed chart and trading modules.
3.2 Activating Extended Hours on the Chart
The desktop platform offers a quick toggle directly on the chart.
Locate the "Ext." Button: Look at the bottom right corner of the chart. You should see a button labeled "Ext." (short for Extended).
Click to Toggle: Simply click this "Ext." button to toggle extended hours on or off. When extended hours are active, the button will typically be highlighted or change color, and the pre-market and after-hours trading data will become visible on your chart.
3.3 Customizing Your Chart View for Extended Hours (Desktop)
The desktop platform often allows for more granular control over your chart display.
Chart Settings (Gear Icon): While the "Ext." button is a quick toggle, you can often find more in-depth settings by looking for a gear icon or similar "Settings" button within the chart module itself.
Time Zones and Sessions: Within these advanced settings, you might be able to customize how the extended hours are displayed, adjust time zones, or even specify which sessions (pre-market, after-hours, overnight) you want to emphasize. Experiment with these settings to find what works best for your analysis.
Step 4: Placing Extended Hours Trades on Webull
Now that you can see the extended hours, let's talk about trading during them. Remember, only limit orders are generally permitted.
4.1 Initiating a Trade
Select Your Stock: Choose the stock you want to trade (as in Step 2.1 or 3.1).
Tap/Click "Trade": On the stock's detail page, locate and tap/click the "Trade" button. This will open the order entry panel.
4.2 Configuring Your Order for Extended Hours
This is the crucial step for executing extended hours trades.
Select "Limit Order": Ensure your order type is set to "Limit" (not Market, Stop, etc.).
Enter Price and Quantity: Input your desired limit price (the maximum you're willing to pay for a buy, or the minimum you're willing to accept for a sell) and the quantity of shares.
Crucial Step: "Trading Hours" Dropdown: Look for a dropdown menu or option labeled "Trading Hours" (it might be next to "Time in Force" or "Order Type").
Select "Include Extended Hours": From the "Trading Hours" dropdown, select "Include Extended Hours" or "Ext". This tells Webull to consider your order valid during the pre-market and after-hours sessions.
For Overnight Trading: If you're trading during the overnight session (8 PM - 4 AM ET), ensure your Webull account supports it and that you select the appropriate "Overnight" option if available in the "Trading Hours" dropdown.
Review and Place Order: Double-check all your order details (symbol, quantity, limit price, and especially "Include Extended Hours"). Once confirmed, tap/click "Buy" or "Sell" to place your order.
Step 5: Understanding Your Order Status and Chart Display
Once your extended hours order is placed, keep an eye on its status.
Order Status: Your order will appear in your "Orders" tab. It will remain "Working" or "Pending" until it is filled or canceled. Remember, due to lower liquidity, fills might not be immediate.
Chart Visualization: Even after placing an extended hours order, continue to observe the chart with extended hours enabled. You'll see how the price moves and if your limit order price is approached or reached. Sometimes, visualizing the action helps in deciding whether to adjust your order.
Final Thoughts on Extended Hours Trading
Extended hours trading can be a powerful tool for reactive trading based on news or pre-emptive positioning. However, its inherent risks due to lower liquidity and higher volatility mean it's not for every trader. Always start with a clear strategy, understand the limitations, and manage your risk diligently. Practice with paper trading first if you're new to extended hours!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to enable extended hours quotes on the Webull mobile chart?
Go to the stock's chart, tap the clover icon (Chart Toolbox) at the bottom right, select "Settings," and then toggle "Including Extended Hours" to ON.
How to place a trade during pre-market or after-hours on Webull?
When placing a limit order, ensure you select "Include Extended Hours" from the "Trading Hours" dropdown menu in the order entry panel.
How to view overnight trading data on Webull?
Within the chart settings (Chart Toolbox > Settings > Extend Hours Chart Display), look for and enable the "Overnight" option, if available for your region/account.
How to identify if extended hours are active on the Webull desktop chart?
Look for the "Ext." button at the bottom right of the chart. If it's highlighted or a different color, extended hours are enabled on your chart.
How to know the exact extended trading hours on Webull?
Generally, pre-market is 4:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET, after-hours is 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET, and overnight trading is 8:00 PM - 4:00 AM ET (Sunday-Thursday). Always check Webull's official FAQ for the most up-to-date timings, as they can vary slightly.
How to cancel an extended hours order on Webull?
Navigate to your "Orders" tab, find the working extended hours order, and tap/click on it to see the "Cancel Order" option.
How to check the liquidity of a stock during extended hours on Webull?
While a precise "liquidity meter" isn't available, you can gauge liquidity by observing the bid-ask spread (a wider spread indicates lower liquidity) and the volume traded during those specific hours on the chart.
How to set up alerts for extended hours price movements on Webull?
From the stock's detailed page, look for the "Alerts" or "Set Alert" option. You can typically set price alerts that will trigger regardless of regular or extended trading hours.
How to understand the risks of extended hours trading on Webull?
Familiarize yourself with Webull's "Extended Hours Trading Disclosure," usually found in their help center or during the account opening process. Key risks include lower liquidity, higher volatility, wider spreads, and the use of limit orders only.
How to practice extended hours trading without risking real money on Webull?
Utilize Webull's "Paper Trading" feature. This allows you to simulate trades with virtual money, including during extended hours, to get comfortable with the dynamics before using real capital.