U.S. stock markets were closed for trading on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday. All precious metals, U.S. crude oil, foreign exchange, and stock index futures contracts under the CME Group Inc were suspended for the entire day. Similarly, Brent crude oil futures contracts under the Intercontinental Exchange were also halted for the full trading session. Regular trading for U.S. stocks will resume on Monday, April 6.
Stock markets in several European countries, Australia, and Hong Kong, China, were closed for two days on April 3 and April 6. European markets observing the two-day closure included those in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
Good Friday and Easter are significant Christian holidays commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which are central events in Christian belief. Good Friday is observed by Christians as the day Jesus Christ was crucified, falling on the Friday before Easter. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, leading to the establishment of Easter. This holiday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, meaning it does not have a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, the date of Good Friday also varies each year.
There are considerable differences in how Easter is calculated between the Catholic/Protestant traditions and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In rare years, the Easter dates for all three traditions coincide, but they usually differ. According to Roman Church tradition, Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox (around March 21). Thus, the Catholic/Protestant Easter generally falls between March 22 and April 25 on the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, Easter for Catholics and Protestants will be celebrated on April 20. The year 2025 is particularly special, as the Catholic/Protestant Easter (following the Gregorian calendar) and the Orthodox Easter (following the Julian calendar) will occur on the same day, resulting in a rare simultaneous observance.
Symbols associated with Easter include Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.
Following the Good Friday closure, regular trading on Wall Street will continue uninterrupted until late May. The next scheduled closure for the U.S. stock market will be on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.
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