Moscow Exchange expands trading session: investors will get an additional hour starting September 14
The Moscow Exchange has decided to significantly expand its trading schedule. Starting September 14, 2026, the main trading session will begin at 9:00 AM instead of the usual 10:00 AM, extending its duration to 10 hours. This change will affect key market segments: the stock, derivatives, and currency markets, as well as the precious metals market.
Calculation and publication of the exchange's main indices will also start at 9:00 AM. Thus, the total time for concluding deals will increase from the current 17 hours per day to 18, and the weekly trading volume will reach 103 hours. This is a significant step that changes the usual liquidity dynamics and requires market participants to reconsider their strategies.
New Regulations: Details and Nuances
In the stock and derivatives markets, the morning session 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 occupy the period from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 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 and will last from 7:00 PM to 11:50 PM. The weekend schedule does not change: deals are concluded from 9:50 AM to 7:00 PM, with the first ten minutes allocated to the opening auction.
In 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 held before 9:00 AM. The money market operates on a separate schedule: unsecured modes will be available from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and the evening session — from 7:00 PM to 11:50 PM.
The most noticeable shift will affect directed repo transactions, deposits, and loans. Their start will be moved from 9:30 AM to 8:30 AM, that is, an hour earlier than the current time.
Why the Exchange Needs an Extra Hour
The expansion of the schedule is explained by requests from investors. According to the Chairman of the Board, Viktor Zhidkov, extending the main session will allow participants to diversify trading opportunities. "It will allow investors to diversify their trading strategies and provide additional liquidity, primarily from institutional investors who need to implement their strategies during the main trading session. Additionally, clients in Siberia and the Far East will get an extra hour to trade at a convenient time for them," Zhidkov noted.
The focus on institutional participants seems logical. Large managers typically work during the main session, where the bulk of orders is concentrated, and the extra hour gives them more room to execute large orders. Retail investors remain active in the Russian market: in July, private investors directed 142.9 billion rubles into securities, and their share in stock transactions reached 63.3%.
The exchange is simultaneously developing its infrastructure and product line. Recently, the exchange entrusted the verification of software code to neural networks, building a chain of AI agents to search for vulnerabilities. The set of tools 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.
In my view, this decision is an important signal of the exchange's desire to enhance its competitiveness and adapt to the needs of different categories of investors. The extra hour of trading could increase turnover and improve pricing, especially in the morning hours when activity is traditionally lower. However, success will depend on how smoothly market participants adapt to the new schedule and whether they can effectively use the provided time.