Why was the stock market closed for Good Friday?

[RSherman]

There are many, many religions practiced in the US, plus pagan, atheist, etc.

So, why is the stock market closed today? Why are our institutions attached to Christianity? To my knowledge, the US does not have an official religion. As a matter of fact, we have separation of church and state (though SCOTUS has recently been breaking that barrier).

Just curious.

[onethatcares]

1. Easter Egg hunts

[joshdawg]

2. Even the Post Office was open.

Go figure. The one institution that closes for the mildest of holidays was open.

[CTyankee]

3. Probably because it was actually 3 religious holidays converging at that date, which is rare.

I'm not religious, but I think it was also Ramadan and Passover. So with 3 major religious holidays converging on the same day you've got a lot of people affected.

[GPV]

5. I think you're right

[Kaleva]

6. +1

[Mossfern]

24. There's no prohibition of working on Passover

and it was the third day, so not even a seder night.
Muslims are permitted to work during Ramadan - that can't be the reason.
Lots of Christians work on Good Friday as well in my experience.

[Shermann]

4. Easter and Christmas have crossed over to being traditional but secular holidays for many Americans

[CTyankee]

9. I think this is the least of our worries right now. Please, folks, try to focus!

[Greybnk48]

25. I'm an Atheist and I buy Easter gifts and candy for my Jewish grandson

for "Bunny Day."

We have celebrated Passover with them in the past to learn about their religion, but he still gets a (non-religious) Easter Basket.

[MichMan]

7. Did that create a hardship for you ?

[Kaleva]

27. LoL!

[Tickle]

8. Good Friday

The market has always closed on good Friday. There was a time when most places closed on good Friday but that was in the last century

[MyMission]

10. I googled your question. And the answer is....

The stock market observes Good Friday as a holiday, so the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will both be closed.1 day ago

Actually I googled asking about banks on good Friday a few days ago.
What I learned:
Good Friday is not a federal holiday, but 10 states and many private businesses consider (observe) it a holiday and close for the day. Here in NC the State employees credit union was closed but banks were open.
So the stock exchange closed because that's their policy.

[BlackSkimmer]

13. Thank you. Easy peasy.

During my working life, I sometimes had that day off and other times not.

I'm not religious at all, but I was always happy to have a day off - I don't care whose religion they're recognizing.

[onenote]

11. A variety of reasons

First, and foremost, the stock market being closed on Good Friday doesn't violate separation of church and state. The stock market is not the government nor is the decision to close it dictated by the government. It's a private institution that can open or close when it wants.

Second, historically, Good Friday was a very slow trading day because a significant portion of the population took the day to go to church with their families. There may be less of that today, but the tradition remains and many families gather for Easter.

Third, European markets (but not Japanese) also are closed on Good Friday. They're also closed on the Monday after Easter (while the US markets are open).

[LeftInTX]

29. Stuff is closed down here on Monday after Easter

I think it's a city holiday, San Antonio.
Schools are always closed on Monday.

[jimfields33]

12. The stock market is not a government agency so it decides to open or close whenever.

[sl8]

15. You, Sir, owe me a Coke. :) nt

[jimfields33]

18. On its way.

[sl8]

19. Cheers! nt

[BlackSkimmer]

16. Exactly. nt

[Kaleva]

28. +5

[sl8]

14. The NYSE is not a government entity.

How would separation and church and state be a consideration?

[NutmegYankee]

17. High Catholic population in the NYC area.

It's like that in parts of SouthEast New England too. A large portion of the workforce wants the day off, so many businesses have adopted it.

[TheBlackAdder]

21. There is a large Christian presence in Boston and Chicago which have large financial footprints.

[TheBlackAdder]

20. Companies that support banking & securities have varying internal holiday schedules.

.

Often people who support the banking side will follow the banking holiday schedule, while divisions within the firms who support securities will follow the stock market's holiday schedule.

.

[moose65]

23. There is no federal holiday around Easter

Post offices are open Monday - Saturday around Easter.

Some states DO have state holidays.

The NYSE can decide when it wants to be open or closed. It's not a government entity.

[Renew Deal]

26. The stock market isn't a government organization

It could have something to do with how many people skip work that day. It’s also Passover.

[treestar]

30. That would be totally a market based

capitalistic decision. Wall Street does not care about Good Friday or Jesus. All they know is whether or not there will be enough participants to make it monetarily worth it. Whether it is Good Friday or a football game. It is not doing this to support Christianity. It is only doing it for financial reasons.