Have you ever been frustrated by missing out on crucial market moves because the regular trading hours just don't align with your schedule or the rapid pace of news? Perhaps an earnings report dropped after the closing bell, or a geopolitical event unfolded overnight, leaving you itching to react. If so, you're not alone! Many traders face this dilemma, which is precisely why after-hours trading on platforms like Webull is so valuable.
After-hours trading, along with pre-market trading, falls under the umbrella of "extended hours trading." This allows you to place buy and sell orders for stocks outside of the standard 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET (Eastern Time) market session. Webull offers robust support for extended hours, enabling you to capitalize on opportunities and manage your positions more effectively.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to enable and execute after-hours trades on Webull, along with essential considerations to keep in mind.
Unleash Your Trading Potential: A Step-by-Step Guide to After-Hours Trading on Webull
Ready to take control of your trading beyond the conventional market hours? Let's dive in!
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| How To Enable After Hours Trading Webull |
Step 1: Confirm Your Webull Account and Familiarize Yourself with Extended Hours
Before you can dive into the exciting world of after-hours trading, you need a Webull account. If you don't have one yet, signing up is a straightforward process.
Already a Webull user? Fantastic! Proceed to the next step.
New to Webull? Download the app or visit their website to create an account. You'll need to go through the verification process, which typically involves providing personal information and linking a bank account.
Understanding Webull's Extended Trading Hours:
It's crucial to understand the specific timings for extended hours on Webull. These can vary slightly depending on your region (e.g., US, UK, APAC), but generally for US stocks:
Pre-Market Trading: 4:00 AM ET - 9:30 AM ET
After-Hours Trading: 4:00 PM ET - 8:00 PM ET
Important Note: Webull has also introduced overnight trading for certain US stocks and ETFs in some regions (like APAC), extending trading to almost 24/5. This is a newer feature, so it's always a good idea to check Webull's official FAQs or announcements for the most up-to-date information on availability for your specific location and instruments.
Step 2: Navigate to the Trade Screen for Your Desired Stock
Whether you're using the Webull mobile app or the desktop platform, the process for enabling extended hours trading is integrated directly into the order placement screen.
On the Webull Mobile App:
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
Open the Webull app on your smartphone or tablet.
Search for the stock you wish to trade. You can do this by tapping the "Search" icon (magnifying glass) and typing in the company name or ticker symbol (e.g., AAPL for Apple, TSLA for Tesla).
Once on the stock's detail page, locate and tap the "Trade" or "Buy/Sell" button. This will take you to the order entry screen.
On the Webull Desktop Platform:
Launch the Webull desktop application on your computer.
In the search bar or within your watchlist, find the stock you intend to trade.
Click on the stock to open its detailed view, then locate the "Trade" widget or section. This is typically where you'll input your order details.
Step 3: Select "Include Extended Hours" When Placing Your Order
This is the critical step to enable after-hours (or pre-market) trading. By default, Webull orders are usually set for "Regular Trading Hours" only.
For Mobile App Users:
On the order entry screen, you'll see various fields like "Order Type," "Price," "Quantity," and "Time in Force."
Look for a dropdown menu or option labeled "Trading Hours" or similar. It's usually located near the "Time in Force" or "Order Type" section.
Tap on this dropdown and select "Include Extended Hours" (or sometimes simply "Ext."). This single selection tells Webull that you want your order to be eligible for execution outside of regular market hours.
For Desktop Platform Users:
Within the "Trade" widget, similar to the mobile app, you'll find fields for your order.
Locate the dropdown menu under "Trading Hours".
Click on it and choose "Include Extended Hours."
Important Considerations for Order Types:
Limit Orders are Key: During extended hours, only limit orders are accepted on Webull. Market orders are generally not permitted. This is a protective measure due to lower liquidity and higher volatility during these periods. A limit order allows you to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay when buying, or the minimum price you're willing to accept when selling.
Time in Force: While "Include Extended Hours" makes your order eligible, you'll still need to choose a "Time in Force" option. Common choices include:
Day: The order is valid only for the current trading day, including extended hours if selected. If not filled, it expires at the end of the after-hours session.
GTC (Good-Til-Cancelled): The order remains active until it's filled or you manually cancel it, up to a certain period (e.g., 60 or 90 days), and will attempt to fill during regular and extended hours if "Include Extended Hours" is selected.
Step 4: Review and Place Your Order
Once you've configured your order with "Include Extended Hours" and your chosen limit price and quantity:
Carefully review all the details of your order on the summary screen. Double-check the stock symbol, order type, price, quantity, and ensure "Include Extended Hours" is indeed selected.
Confirm the order. Once satisfied, tap or click the "Buy" or "Sell" button to place your trade.
Your order will then be submitted to the market and will be eligible for execution during the extended trading hours you've specified. You can monitor your open orders in your "Orders" tab.
Step 5: Monitor Your After-Hours Trades
Tip: Read mindfully — avoid distractions.
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After placing your order, it's crucial to monitor its status.
Order Status: Check your "Orders" tab within the Webull app or desktop platform to see if your order has been filled, partially filled, or remains open.
Real-time Data: Webull provides real-time market data, even during extended hours. Keep an eye on the stock's price movements and volume to understand the market sentiment.
Modify or Cancel: If market conditions change, or you simply change your mind, you have the option to modify or cancel your open limit order before it's executed.
Understanding the Nuances of Extended Hours Trading
While after-hours trading offers exciting opportunities, it's essential to be aware of its inherent risks and characteristics.
Lower Liquidity and Higher Volatility
Reduced Trading Volume: Far fewer participants trade during extended hours compared to regular market hours. This means less liquidity, which can make it harder to buy or sell shares at your desired price.
Wider Bid-Ask Spreads: Due to lower liquidity, the difference between the highest bid price (what buyers are willing to pay) and the lowest ask price (what sellers are willing to accept) can be significantly wider. This means you might get a less favorable execution price.
Increased Price Volatility: News events or a small number of large trades can have a much more significant impact on the stock price during extended hours due to the thinner trading volume. Prices can swing wildly, making it riskier for inexperienced traders.
Limited Order Types
As mentioned, only limit orders are accepted. This helps you control the price at which your trade is executed, mitigating some of the risks associated with volatility. Market orders, which execute immediately at the best available price, could lead to unexpected and unfavorable prices during extended hours.
No Order Protection Rule
During extended hours, the "Order Protection Rule" (also known as Reg NMS) does not apply. This rule, which usually ensures trades are executed at the best available price across all exchanges, is not enforced. This lack of protection can contribute to the wider bid-ask spreads and potentially worse execution prices.
Impact of News and Earnings
A primary reason traders engage in after-hours trading is to react to news, particularly earnings reports. Companies often release their quarterly earnings after the market closes. Extended hours trading allows investors to act on this news immediately, rather than waiting for the next trading day. However, this also means prices can be extremely volatile as the market digests new information.
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions about After-Hours Trading on Webull
Here are 10 common questions about after-hours trading on Webull, with quick answers:
How to enable after-hours trading on the Webull mobile app?
To enable after-hours trading on the Webull mobile app, navigate to the stock's trade screen, select "Limit Order," and then tap on the "Trading Hours" dropdown to choose "Include Extended Hours."
How to know if my Webull order will execute after hours?
Your Webull order will only be eligible to execute after hours if you explicitly select "Include Extended Hours" when placing a limit order. Otherwise, it will only be valid during regular market hours.
How to set a limit price for after-hours trading on Webull?
When placing a limit order for after-hours trading on Webull, you manually input the specific price at which you want your order to be executed (the maximum you'll pay to buy, or the minimum you'll accept to sell).
How to cancel an after-hours trade on Webull?
You can cancel an open after-hours trade on Webull by going to your "Orders" tab, finding the open order, and selecting the "Cancel" option before it gets filled.
How to check the after-hours trading hours on Webull?
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
Webull's general after-hours trading for US stocks is from 4:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET. You can also find this information in Webull's FAQ or help sections.
How to view extended hours price action on Webull charts?
On Webull charts, look for a setting or button (often a "clover" icon or "Ext." button on desktop) that allows you to "Include Extended Hours" in the chart display, showing price action outside of regular hours.
How to understand the risks of after-hours trading on Webull?
Understand that after-hours trading on Webull carries increased risks due to lower liquidity, wider bid-ask spreads, and higher volatility. Always use limit orders and be aware of significant news events.
How to tell if a stock is available for after-hours trading on Webull?
Most listed US stocks are available for extended hours trading on Webull. However, certain securities like options (with exceptions), warrants, and fractional shares may not be. When placing an order, if "Include Extended Hours" is an option, it's available.
How to avoid bad fills in after-hours trading on Webull?
To avoid bad fills, always use limit orders in after-hours trading on Webull. This ensures your order only executes at or better than your specified price, protecting you from extreme price swings.
How to find news affecting after-hours trading on Webull?
You can find news affecting after-hours trading directly on the Webull platform's news feed for individual stocks, or by following major financial news outlets that report on earnings and breaking events after market close.
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