EGX Trading Hours and Settlement
Session structure, settlement cycle, and what 'T+2' means in practice
Standard Trading Hours
The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) operates Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekend days — markets are closed. Continuous trading runs from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM Cairo local time (EET, UTC+2).
A pre-opening session runs from 9:30 to 10:00 AM, during which orders can be entered, modified, or cancelled but no trades execute. The opening price is determined by an auction that matches accumulated orders at 10:00 AM.
The T+2 Settlement Cycle
EGX follows a T+2 settlement cycle for most listed equities. This means a trade executed on Sunday settles on Tuesday — two business days later. Cash and shares actually change hands at settlement, not at trade execution.
In practical terms: if you sell shares on Monday, the cash arrives in your brokerage account on Wednesday. If you buy, the shares are formally yours on the same Wednesday and only then can be sold again under standard rules.
Same-Day Selling Rules
Egypt has historically restricted intraday selling of newly purchased shares for retail investors, though specific rules have evolved. Some categories of investors (institutional, qualified) and some specific securities are eligible for intraday trading under separate frameworks.
Before relying on day-trading strategies, confirm current EGX rules with your broker. The framework is regulated jointly by the EGX and the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA).
Holidays and Closures
The EGX observes Egyptian public holidays — including national holidays (e.g., 25 January, 23 July, 6 October) and Islamic religious holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Prophet's Birthday) which shift each year on the Gregorian calendar.
The EGX publishes its annual holiday calendar in advance. Always check before the start of each year, particularly if you trade around Ramadan, when shorter sessions can apply.
FAQ
Is the EGX open on Friday?
No. The EGX is closed on Fridays and Saturdays. The trading week runs Sunday through Thursday, in line with the standard Egyptian business week.
What does T+2 actually mean for my account balance?
It means the cash from a sale becomes withdrawable two business days after the trade. Many brokers will, however, allow you to immediately reinvest the unsettled proceeds into another EGX trade, since both legs settle in the same cycle.
Are there shorter sessions during Ramadan?
Yes, the EGX typically operates a shortened session during Ramadan. The exact hours are published before the start of the holy month each year.