Navigating the stock market can be a thrilling experience, but did you know the action doesn't stop when the traditional 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET bell rings? Extended hours trading on platforms like Webull opens up a whole new world of opportunities, allowing you to react to news and events outside of standard market hours. But how do you see this crucial data and utilize it effectively? This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you're fully equipped to observe and understand extended hours activity on Webull.
Ready to Dive into the Extended Market? Let's Get Started!
Before we jump into the "how-to," ask yourself: are you prepared to explore market movements that happen before the opening bell and after the closing chime? If the answer is a resounding YES!, then you're in the right place. Understanding extended hours is key to becoming a more informed and reactive trader.
Step 1: Understanding Webull's Extended Trading Hours
First and foremost, it's vital to grasp what "extended hours" actually means on Webull. It's not just a blanket term; it encompasses specific sessions with their own nuances.
1.1 Pre-Market Trading
The pre-market session is the trading period before the official market open. This is where early birds can catch the worm (or avoid the crash!) by reacting to overnight news, earnings reports, or global market movements.
Webull's Pre-Market Hours: For US stocks, this typically runs from 4:00 AM ET to 9:30 AM ET.
Why it matters: Significant price movements can occur during this time, setting the tone for the regular trading session. Companies often release earnings before the market opens, leading to immediate reactions in pre-market.
1.2 After-Hours Trading
After-hours trading occurs after the regular market closes. This is another critical period for reacting to news that breaks later in the day, like late-day earnings calls or breaking economic data.
Webull's After-Hours Hours: For US stocks, this generally runs from 4:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET.
Why it matters: Like pre-market, after-hours trading can show you how a stock is reacting to events that happen post-market close, providing insights before the next trading day begins.
1.3 Overnight Trading (24/5)
Webull also offers "Overnight Trading" for select US stocks and ETFs, providing even more flexibility. This is a relatively newer feature that extends trading almost around the clock.
Webull's Overnight Trading Hours: This runs from 8:00 PM ET to 3:58 AM ET (Sunday through Thursday).
Important Note: Not all stocks and ETFs are available for overnight trading. Look for a purple "24" icon on the stock's profile page to identify eligible securities. Trades executed between 8:00 PM ET and 12:00 AM ET will carry the trade date of the following day.
Step 2: Enabling Extended Hours Display on Webull Charts
Now that you understand the different extended hours, let's get into how to actually see them on your Webull charts. The process is straightforward, whether you're using the mobile app or the desktop platform.
2.1 On the Webull Mobile App
The mobile app is incredibly popular for on-the-go trading. Here's how to adjust your chart settings to include extended hours data:
Step 2.1.1: Open the Webull App and Select a Stock.
Launch the Webull application on your smartphone or tablet.
Navigate to the quote page of any stock you wish to analyze. You can do this by searching for the ticker symbol or selecting it from your watchlist.
Step 2.1.2: Access the Chart Toolbox.
Once on the stock's quote page, you'll see the chart prominently displayed. Look for the "Chart Toolbox" icon. This is often represented by a clover or gear icon (it might vary slightly depending on your app version) located at the bottom right of the chart area. Tap this icon to open the chart settings.
Step 2.1.3: Navigate to Chart Settings.
Within the Chart Toolbox, you'll find various options for customizing your chart. Look for and tap on "Settings".
Step 2.1.4: Enable "Including Extended Hours" or "Extend Hours Chart Display".
Inside the Settings menu, you'll see an option like "Including Extended Hours" or "Extend Hours Chart Display". Toggle this option ON. If you also want to see overnight data, look for an option related to "Overnight" or "24-hour market display" within these settings and enable it.
Step 2.1.5: Observe the Extended Hours Data.
Once enabled, go back to your chart. You should now see the pre-market and after-hours price action displayed alongside the regular market hours. This data will often appear in a shaded or lighter colored area on the chart, visually distinguishing it from regular trading hours.
2.2 On the Webull Desktop Platform
For those who prefer a larger screen and more in-depth analysis, the Webull desktop platform offers similar functionality.
Step 2.2.1: Open the Webull Desktop Application.
Launch the Webull desktop client on your computer.
Step 2.2.2: Select a Stock and Open its Chart.
Just like the mobile app, navigate to the stock's quote page. You can do this by searching for the ticker or clicking on it from your watchlists. The chart will be a central feature on this page.
Step 2.2.3: Locate Chart Settings/Indicators.
On the desktop platform, chart settings are typically accessed via a gear icon or a "Settings" or "Indicators" button usually located directly above or next to the chart. Click on this icon or button.
Step 2.2.4: Enable Extended Hours.
Within the chart settings, look for an option that says "Show Extended Hours", "Include Extended Hours", or similar. Check the box or toggle this option ON. You might also find separate options for "Pre-Market" and "After-Hours" or "Overnight" if you want to be more granular.
Step 2.2.5: Analyze the Full Market Picture.
Your chart will now update to include the extended hours price and volume data. This expanded view is invaluable for understanding the full context of a stock's movement.
Step 3: Placing Orders During Extended Hours (Important Considerations)
Seeing extended hours data is one thing, but trading during those times requires specific order types and an understanding of the inherent risks.
3.1 Understanding Order Types for Extended Hours
To place an order that executes outside of regular market hours, you must use a limit order. Market orders are generally not permitted or recommended during extended hours due to high volatility and low liquidity.
Limit Order: A limit order allows you to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay (for a buy order) or the minimum price you're willing to accept (for a sell order). This helps protect you from unexpected price swings during periods of lower liquidity.
"Include Extended Hours" or "24 Hour Market" Option: When placing your limit order on Webull, you'll see an option to specify the "Trading Hours" or "Time-in-Force." You must select "Include Extended Hours" or "24 Hour Market" for your order to be eligible for execution during these times. If you don't select this, your order will only be active during regular market hours.
3.2 Key Risks of Extended Hours Trading
While extended hours offer opportunities, they come with significant risks that every trader must be aware of.
Lower Liquidity: Fewer participants mean fewer buyers and sellers. This can lead to your orders taking longer to fill, or not filling at all, especially for less popular stocks.
Higher Volatility: Due to lower liquidity, prices can move much more drastically and quickly on smaller trading volumes. A single large order can have a significant impact.
Wider Bid-Ask Spreads: The difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept (ask) can be much larger during extended hours. This means you might buy at a higher price or sell at a lower price than you'd expect during regular hours.
News Announcements: Companies often release news or earnings reports outside of regular trading hours. These announcements can cause sudden and dramatic price swings that you might not be able to react to quickly enough.
Unlinked Markets: Prices displayed on Webull's extended hours system may not perfectly reflect prices on other concurrently operating extended hours trading systems.
Step 4: Analyzing Extended Hours Data Effectively
Simply seeing the data isn't enough; you need to know how to interpret it.
4.1 Volume Analysis
Pay close attention to volume during extended hours. Low volume on a significant price move might indicate that the move isn't sustainable or is easily manipulated. High volume, however, can suggest a more legitimate and widely-accepted reaction to news.
4.2 Price Action and Trend Confirmation
Observe how the price acts around key support and resistance levels during extended hours. Does it break through levels established during regular hours? Does it hold them?
Look for continuation or reversal patterns that might be forming. While less reliable than patterns during regular hours, they can still provide clues.
4.3 News Correlation
Always cross-reference extended hours price movements with recent news. Is there an earnings report, a press release, or a significant economic announcement that could explain the price action? This context is crucial.
Step 5: Setting Up Alerts for Extended Hours Activity
To stay on top of opportunities or potential risks without constantly staring at your screen, set up price alerts.
5.1 How to Set Price Alerts on Webull
Step 5.1.1: Go to the Stock's Quote Page.
Find the stock you want to set an alert for.
Step 5.1.2: Locate the "Alerts" or "Set Alert" Option.
This is usually found near the top of the quote page or within the menu options for that specific stock.
Step 5.1.3: Configure Your Alert Conditions.
You can set alerts for various conditions:
Price reaches a certain level (above or below).
Percentage change (e.g., up or down 5%).
Volume reaching a certain threshold.
Crucially, when setting the alert, ensure you select to have it triggered during "Extended Hours" if that's when you want to be notified. Some platforms might have a specific toggle for this.
Step 5.1.4: Save and Test Your Alert.
Confirm your alert settings and save it. You might want to test it with a dummy stock or a very close price to ensure it triggers correctly.
Conclusion: Empowering Your Trading with Extended Hours Knowledge
By diligently following these steps, you'll not only be able to see extended hours data on Webull but also understand its significance, trade within those hours responsibly, and react strategically to market developments. Remember, the market never truly sleeps, and with Webull's extended hours features, neither do your opportunities to stay informed and potentially profitable. Always prioritize risk management and continuous learning in your trading journey!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to enable extended hours trading on Webull?
You don't "enable" extended hours trading on Webull in a general setting. Instead, when you place a limit order, you must explicitly select "Include Extended Hours" or "24 Hour Market" in the "Trading Hours" or "Time-in-Force" setting for that specific order.
How to identify stocks eligible for Webull's 24-hour trading?
Stocks and ETFs eligible for Webull's 24-hour trading session (Overnight Trading) are marked with a purple "24" icon on their stock profile page within the Webull app or desktop platform.
How to view pre-market and after-hours data on Webull's mobile app?
On the Webull mobile app, go to a stock's chart, tap the Chart Toolbox icon (often a clover or gear at the bottom right), then select "Settings", and finally toggle "Including Extended Hours" or "Extend Hours Chart Display" ON.
How to see extended hours on Webull's desktop platform?
On the Webull desktop platform, open a stock's chart, look for a gear icon or a "Settings" button near the chart, click it, and then check the box for "Show Extended Hours" or "Include Extended Hours".
How to place a trade during extended hours on Webull?
To place a trade during extended hours, select the stock, click "Trade," choose a "LIMIT" order, set your desired price and quantity, and crucially, select "Include Extended Hours" or "24 Hour Market" under the "Trading Hours" or "Time-in-Force" options.
How to interpret volume during Webull's extended hours?
Low volume during extended hours on a significant price move might suggest caution, as the move could be less stable or easily influenced. Higher volume indicates a more substantial and potentially reliable market reaction to news or events.
How to mitigate risks when trading during extended hours on Webull?
Always use limit orders to control your entry and exit prices. Be aware of lower liquidity and wider bid-ask spreads. Stay informed about news releases, and consider starting with smaller position sizes during these volatile periods.
How to set price alerts for extended hours movements on Webull?
Navigate to a stock's quote page, find the "Alerts" or "Set Alert" option, define your price or percentage change conditions, and ensure you specify that the alert should trigger during "Extended Hours" when configuring it.
How to distinguish between pre-market, after-hours, and regular trading on Webull charts?
On Webull charts, extended hours data (pre-market and after-hours) is typically displayed in a shaded or lighter colored background area, visually separating it from the regular trading hours which are often in a solid background color.
How to access Webull's full 24/5 trading market?
To access Webull's full 24/5 trading market (Overnight Trading), look for the "24 Hour Market" section within the Webull app, or identify stocks with the purple "24" icon on their profile page. Remember to select the "24 Hour Market" time-in-force when placing limit orders for these securities.