Want to seize trading opportunities even when the regular market is closed? Webull offers extended-hours trading, including pre-market and after-hours sessions, giving you the flexibility to react to news and market movements outside the typical 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET window. While incredibly powerful, it's essential to understand how to enable and utilize these features, along with the inherent risks.
Let's dive in and unlock the world of after-hours trading on Webull!
Understanding Webull's Extended Trading Hours
Before we get to the "how-to," it's crucial to grasp what "extended hours" actually means on Webull. Webull offers several trading sessions beyond the standard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET (Eastern Time) for US stocks:
Pre-Market Trading: Generally runs from 4:00 AM ET to 9:30 AM ET.
After-Hours Trading: Typically runs from 4:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET.
Overnight Trading / 24-Hour Market: Webull also offers a 24-hour trading session for select securities from 8:00 PM ET to 3:58 AM ET (Sunday through Thursday). Trades executed between 8:00 PM ET and 12:00 AM ET will carry the trade date of the following trade day.
It's important to remember that not all stocks and ETFs are available for 24-hour trading. Look for a purple 24 icon on the stock profile page in the Webull app to identify eligible securities.
Risks Associated with Extended Hours Trading
While extended hours trading offers exciting opportunities, it also comes with increased risks compared to regular trading hours. It's vital to be aware of these before you begin:
Lower Liquidity: Fewer participants mean it can be harder to buy or sell at your desired price, or your order might only be partially filled or not filled at all.
Higher Volatility: Due to lower liquidity, prices can swing more dramatically. News announcements released after regular hours can cause exaggerated and unsustainable price movements.
Wider Spreads: The difference between the buy (bid) and sell (ask) price can be wider, potentially leading to less favorable execution prices.
Unlinked Markets: Prices displayed on one extended-hours trading system may not reflect prices on other systems. The National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO) rule, which helps ensure best execution during regular hours, does not apply to extended hours.
News Announcements: Company earnings and other important news are often released outside of regular trading hours, leading to swift and sometimes unpredictable price reactions.
Limited Order Types: Generally, only limit orders are supported for extended-hours trading. Market orders are typically not allowed due to the volatility and liquidity concerns.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Turn on After-Hours Trading on Webull
Ready to start trading after hours? Follow these straightforward steps on your Webull mobile app:
Step 1: Engage with Your Desired Stock!
First things first, what stock are you interested in trading during extended hours? Think about it carefully. Have you done your research? Do you understand the potential impact of any recent news on this company?
Once you've identified your stock, open the Webull app on your mobile device (iOS or Android).
Step 2: Navigate to the Stock's Detail Page
On the Webull app's main screen, use the search bar at the top.
Type in the ticker symbol or company name of the stock you want to trade (e.g., "AAPL" for Apple).
Tap on the relevant stock from the search results to go to its detailed quote page.
Step 3: Initiate a Trade
On the stock's detail page, locate and tap the "Trade" button. This is usually a prominent button at the bottom or top of the screen.
Step 4: Select Your Order Type (Crucial for Extended Hours!)
You'll be taken to the order entry screen. Here, you'll see options like "Buy" or "Sell" and various order types.
For extended-hours trading, you must select a "Limit" order. Market orders are not permitted during extended hours.
Why a Limit Order? A limit order allows you to specify the exact price at which you want your order to be executed. This is crucial in less liquid extended hours where prices can fluctuate rapidly. Without a limit, you risk getting a much worse price than anticipated.
Step 5: Set Your Order Details
Quantity: Enter the number of shares you wish to buy or sell.
Limit Price: Enter your desired buy or sell price. Remember, this is the maximum you'll pay to buy or the minimum you'll accept to sell.
Time-in-Force (TIF): This setting determines how long your order remains active.
For general after-hours trading, you'll typically see options like "Day" or "Good-Till-Cancelled (GTC)".
When including extended hours, a "Day" order will generally be active until the end of the extended trading session (8:00 PM ET for after-hours, or 3:58 AM ET for 24-hour market if applicable for the stock).
A "GTC" order will remain active until filled or canceled, potentially across multiple extended-hours and regular sessions.
Step 6: Activate "Include Extended Hours"
This is the key step to enable after-hours trading!
On the order entry screen, look for a dropdown menu or option labeled "Trading Hours" or similar.
Tap on this option.
From the choices presented, select "Include Extended Hours". You might also see "Regular Hours Only" or, for eligible securities, "24 Hour Market".
If you select "24 Hour Market," your order will be eligible for execution during all three sessions: pre-market, regular, and overnight.
Step 7: Review and Confirm Your Order
Carefully review all the details of your order: stock, buy/sell, quantity, limit price, time-in-force, and importantly, that "Include Extended Hours" is selected.
Once you're satisfied, tap the "Buy" or "Sell" button to place your order.
Congratulations! You've successfully submitted an order for after-hours trading on Webull.
Important Considerations and Tips
Monitor Your Orders: Extended hours trading can be fast-paced. Keep an eye on your open orders and be prepared to adjust or cancel them if market conditions change rapidly.
Stay Informed: News is a major driver of extended-hours price action. Monitor financial news sources, company announcements, and earnings reports.
Start Small: If you're new to extended hours trading, consider starting with smaller positions to get a feel for the dynamics before committing larger amounts of capital.
Not All Stocks are Equal: As mentioned, not all stocks have significant liquidity or even participate in extended hours. Focus on large, well-known companies for better chances of execution.
Webull Desktop/Web Platform: The steps are very similar on Webull's desktop and web platforms. You'll generally find the "Trading Hours" option within the order entry widget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to access extended hours trading on Webull?
You can access extended hours trading by placing a limit order for a stock and then selecting "Include Extended Hours" or "24 Hour Market" under the "Trading Hours" option in the order entry screen.
How to know if a stock is eligible for 24-hour trading on Webull?
Eligible stocks for Webull's 24-hour market will typically display a purple 24 icon on their stock profile page within the Webull app.
How to choose the right order type for after-hours trading on Webull?
You must use a Limit Order for after-hours trading on Webull. Market orders are not supported due to the inherent risks of lower liquidity and higher volatility.
How to understand the risks of after-hours trading on Webull?
Key risks include lower liquidity, higher volatility, wider bid-ask spreads, and the fact that markets are unlinked (meaning prices may vary across different trading venues). Always understand these risks before trading.
How to check the current extended trading hours on Webull?
Webull's pre-market trading is generally 4:00 AM ET - 9:30 AM ET, and after-hours trading is 4:00 PM ET - 8:00 PM ET. The 24-hour market runs from 8:00 PM ET to 3:58 AM ET (Sunday-Thursday) for select symbols. Check the Webull app or their FAQ for the most up-to-date hours, especially for specific regions.
How to set the Time-in-Force for an extended-hours order on Webull?
For extended-hours orders, you can typically choose "Day" (which will expire at the end of the current extended session) or "Good-Till-Cancelled (GTC)" (which remains active until filled or canceled, potentially across multiple sessions).
How to cancel an after-hours trade on Webull?
You can cancel an open order by going to your "Orders" tab within the Webull app, locating the specific order, and tapping the "Cancel" button. Be aware that during volatile periods, your order might fill before you have a chance to cancel it.
How to monitor the status of my after-hours orders on Webull?
Navigate to the "Orders" section of your Webull account. Here, you can see all your open, partially filled, and filled orders, including those placed for extended hours.
How to react to news released during after-hours on Webull?
Webull's extended hours allow you to react quickly to news. However, do so cautiously, understanding that prices can be highly volatile and liquidity may be low, potentially leading to unfavorable execution prices.
How to learn more about extended hours trading before engaging?
Webull provides educational resources and FAQs within their app and on their website. It's highly recommended to read their "Extended Hours Trading Disclosure" and practice with paper trading first to understand the dynamics without risking real capital.
