TORONTO — The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization says extended trading hours can offer more flexibility by allowing investors to react to new developments outside of regular hours, but it also comes with risks.
CIRO made the comments in new guidance on the risks and benefits of extended trading as a new alternative trading platform brings after-hours access to investors.
Stock markets typically hold trading hours between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET. After-hours trading broadens the times when investors are permitted to buy and sell securities.
CIRO says extended hours could mean lower trading volumes and therefore greater stock price volatility as well as increased market reactions to earnings, economic reports or other breaking news.
Kevin McCoy, senior vice-president of market regulation at CIRO, says other jurisdictions around the world are moving forward on extended trading hours, with the U.S. the furthest along.
The Nasdaq Stock Market is preparing to implement trading 23 hours a day, five days a week, in early December.
Meanwhile, CIX Trading Inc. is a new marketplace that recently launched in Canada with extended trading hours, which it plans to extend even further in the near future.
“It gives additional choice and flexibility to retail investors, but I think the retail investor really needs to just understand and make conscious decisions of whether this is right for them,” he says.
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Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2026.
