Ever felt that rush of a stock moving after the regular market closes, or before it even opens? That's after-hours and pre-market trading, often collectively called extended hours trading. It's where a lot of action happens, especially around earnings reports or breaking news. If you're a Webull user and want to peek into this exciting world, you've come to the right place! This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to see after-hours trading on Webull and even how to participate.
Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Ready to See the Whole Picture?
Before we even click a single button, let's establish why seeing after-hours trading is so crucial. The regular trading session (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET for US stocks) only tells part of the story. Significant price movements, particularly in response to news or earnings, often occur outside these hours. Ignoring this data means you're missing a large chunk of the market's activity, which could impact your trading decisions. So, are you ready to gain a more complete understanding of stock movements? If yes, let's proceed!
Step 2: Accessing the Webull App or Desktop Platform
Whether you're a mobile warrior or a desktop commander, Webull offers robust features for viewing extended hours data.
Sub-heading: On the Webull Mobile App
Open the Webull App: Launch the Webull application on your smartphone or tablet.
Navigate to the Stock: Use the search bar (magnifying glass icon) at the top of the screen or browse your watchlist to find the stock you're interested in. Tap on the stock's ticker symbol to open its detailed quote page.
Sub-heading: On the Webull Desktop Platform
Launch Webull Desktop: Open the Webull desktop application on your computer.
Search for the Stock: Similar to the mobile app, use the search bar or your watchlists to locate the stock. Click on the ticker symbol to go to its dedicated page.
Step 3: Enabling Extended Hours on the Chart
This is where the magic happens! Webull allows you to display after-hours and pre-market data directly on the stock chart.
Sub-heading: For Mobile App Users
Go to the Chart: Once on the stock's detail page, you'll see the main chart display.
Tap the Chart Toolbox Icon: Look for a clover icon or a settings icon (often looks like a gear or three dots) at the bottom right of the chart. Tap on it.
Select "Settings": In the menu that appears, tap on "Settings."
Toggle "Include Extended Hours" or "Overnight": You'll find an option like "Extend Hours Chart Display" or "Including Extended Hours". Make sure this is toggled ON or selected. For some versions, it might appear as "Overnight."
You should immediately see the chart extend beyond the regular 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET session, displaying pre-market and after-hours price action.
Sub-heading: For Desktop Platform Users
Locate the Chart: On the stock's page, identify the charting area.
Click the "Ext." Button: Look for an "Ext." button, often located at the bottom right of the chart. Click on it.
Clicking this button will toggle the display of extended hours data on your chart, showing you the price movements outside of regular trading hours.
Step 4: Understanding the After-Hours Data Display
Now that you've enabled it, let's understand what you're seeing.
Sub-heading: Visual Cues on the Chart
Shaded Areas: Webull typically uses shaded or lighter-colored areas on the chart to represent the extended trading hours, while the regular trading hours are in a more prominent color. This visual distinction helps you differentiate between the two periods.
Price and Volume: You'll observe price fluctuations and trading volume within these extended hour periods. While volume is generally lower than during regular hours, significant spikes can indicate important activity.
Sub-heading: Key Information to Look For
Price Movements: Note how the price of the stock changes after 4:00 PM ET (after-hours) and before 9:30 AM ET (pre-market).
Volume: Pay attention to the volume traded during these periods. Lower volume can lead to greater volatility and wider bid-ask spreads.
News Catalysts: Often, large price movements in after-hours trading are driven by news releases, earnings reports, or company announcements. Cross-reference the chart movements with any recent news.
Step 5: How to Place an After-Hours Trade (Optional, but Good to Know!)
Seeing after-hours trading is one thing; participating in it is another. If you wish to trade during these extended hours, here's how Webull facilitates it. Remember, after-hours trading carries increased risks due to lower liquidity and higher volatility.
Sub-heading: Key Considerations Before Trading
Limit Orders Only: During extended hours, Webull generally only accepts limit orders. This is crucial because market orders can lead to unexpected execution prices due to lower liquidity.
Increased Volatility: Prices can swing wildly on lower volume, so be prepared for potential rapid changes.
Lower Liquidity: It might be harder to buy or sell shares at your desired price, as there are fewer buyers and sellers.
Sub-heading: Placing the Trade
Select "Trade": From the stock's detail page, tap or click the "Trade" button.
Choose "Buy" or "Sell": Decide whether you want to buy or sell the stock.
Select "Limit Order": Ensure your order type is set to "Limit."
Enter Price and Quantity: Specify the price at which you want your order to execute and the number of shares.
Enable "Include Extended Hours": This is the most critical step. Look for a dropdown or checkbox next to "Trading Hours" and select "Include Extended Hours" or "Extended Hours." Without this, your order will only be valid for the regular trading session.
Review and Confirm: Carefully review your order details before confirming the trade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Webull After-Hours Trading
How to see after-hours trading on Webull mobile app? Open the stock's detail page, tap the chart settings icon (clover or gear), select "Settings," and then toggle "Include Extended Hours" or "Overnight."
How to see after-hours trading on Webull desktop? On the stock's chart, look for and click the "Ext." button, usually located at the bottom right of the chart.
How to enable extended hours trading on Webull? When placing a trade (buy or sell), select "Limit Order," and then choose "Include Extended Hours" from the "Trading Hours" dropdown menu.
How to understand the shaded areas on Webull's chart during extended hours? The shaded or lighter-colored areas on the chart represent the pre-market and after-hours trading sessions, distinguishing them from the regular market hours.
How to identify after-hours trading hours on Webull? For US stocks, pre-market is generally 4:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET, and after-hours is 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET. These times are displayed on Webull's platform.
How to know if a stock is actively traded after hours on Webull? Look for significant price movements and notable volume within the shaded extended hours sections of the chart. Higher volume indicates more active trading.
How to filter stocks based on after-hours activity on Webull? Webull often provides "Top Gainers" and "Top Losers" lists with options to filter by "Pre-market" and "After-hours," allowing you to see which stocks are moving most.
How to set alerts for after-hours price movements on Webull? On a stock's detail page, you can typically set price alerts. Ensure your alert settings are configured to trigger during extended hours if that's your preference.
How to understand the risks of after-hours trading on Webull? After-hours trading involves lower liquidity, wider bid-ask spreads, and increased volatility compared to regular hours, making price execution less predictable.
How to find news impacting after-hours trading on Webull? Webull's stock detail pages often include a "News" or "Announcements" section where you can find recent company updates, which are frequently the catalysts for after-hours price action.
