Moscow Exchange expands trading session from September 14: what this means for investors
The Moscow Exchange is preparing a significant update to its trading schedule, which will take effect on September 14, 2026. The main trading session will begin at 9:00 AM instead of the usual 10:00 AM, extending its duration to ten hours. This decision will affect all key market segments — the stock, derivatives, currency, and precious metals markets.
New Schedule: Details and Nuances
According to the new regulations, the morning session on the stock and derivatives markets will retain its previous framework — from 6:50 AM to 9:00 AM, with the opening auction taking place in the first ten minutes. The main session will run from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and for securities not admitted to morning trading, the opening auction will take place from 9:00 AM to 9:10 AM. The evening session will remain unchanged — from 7:00 PM to 11:50 PM.
On the currency and precious metals markets, the main session will start at 8:50 AM and end at 7:00 PM, with the opening auction running until 9:00 AM. The money market will continue to operate on a separate schedule: risk-free modes will be available from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and the evening session — from 7:00 PM to 11:50 PM.
Why the Exchange Took This Step
Expanding the trading window is a response to the growing demands of investors, especially institutional players. As emphasized by the Chairman of the Board Viktor Zhidkov, the extra hour will allow market participants to diversify their trading strategies and increase liquidity. This is particularly relevant for clients from Siberia and the Far East, who will gain more opportunities to trade at convenient times for them.
Interestingly, the focus on institutional investors looks quite justified. Large asset management companies traditionally concentrate the bulk of their orders during the main session, and the extra hour gives them more room to execute large orders. Meanwhile, retail investors remain extremely active: in July, individuals directed 142.9 billion rubles into securities, and their share of stock transactions reached 63.3%.
Infrastructure Changes and New Instruments
In parallel, the exchange continues to develop its infrastructure and product lineup. Recently, the platform entrusted the verification of software code to neural networks, building a chain of AI agents to search for vulnerabilities. The range of instruments for betting on foreign assets is also expanding: since July 27, the exchange has been calculating fixings for 23 foreign securities, including Coinbase and Tesla shares, and plans to issue futures and options linked to them.
My view: Extending the main session is a logical step amid growing competition for liquidity and investor attention. However, it is worth closely monitoring how the new schedule will affect volatility in the first hours of trading — shifting the session start could create new arbitrage opportunities, but also add risks for those accustomed to the previous timetable.