The U.S. stock markets will be closed on January 9, 2024, in observance of a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100. Carter, who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981, was the longest-living president in U.S. history. His death marks the first national day of mourning for a former president since the passing of George H.W. Bush in December 2018.
As part of a longstanding tradition, financial markets in the U.S. will halt operations following the death of a sitting or former president. This practice dates back to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in April 1865. On January 9, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq Inc.’s U.S. equities exchanges, and Cboe Global Markets will all be closed for the day, according to the companies’ announcements. The bond market will close early at 2 p.m. New York time, in accordance with recommendations from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).
The closure of financial markets in times of national mourning is not unique to presidential deaths. The NYSE has also suspended trading on several occasions following the deaths of figures like Queen Victoria, financier John Pierpont Morgan, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Additionally, markets have been shut down in response to national emergencies, such as the 1920 Wall Street bombing and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The closure of the stock markets on January 9 will serve as a solemn tribute to President Carter, who is remembered not only for his political career but also for his post-presidency humanitarian work, particularly through the Carter Center. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes and reflections on his legacy, both in the U.S. and internationally.
