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Trading Outside Regular Trading Hours (RTH)

Lesson 4 of 6

Duration 3:54
Level Beginner
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In this video, we will review how to instruct an order to continue to work outside of normal trading hours by enabling Outside Regular Trading Hours or RTH within Trader Workstation. You can manage the Outside RTH attribute as a default order preset, and also on a per order basis.

To set the order attribute for outside RTH as a default order preset:

  • Open Global Configuration and select Presets from the left side menu. Presets are typically managed by asset class.
  • For this scenario, we will configure trading outside of RTH as the default for stocks by clicking the blue Stock hyperlink.
  • Under the Timing section, I will click to check the box for Allow order to be activated, triggered or filled outside of regular trading hours (if available).
  • Once satisfied with the default preset, click Apply then OK at the bottom to save and activate the changes.
  • Now, the default stock preset for outside of RTH will be enabled by default but only if it is available for the product that is entered in the Order Entry Panel.

You can check the designation to fill outside Regular Trading Hours by entering a stock into the order entry such as IBKR and click on the Time in Force drop down.

I will enter IBKR and under the Time in Force drop down, you can see the box is checked off next to Fill Outside RTH indicating that the order is instructed to continue working before and after normal trading hours. This can also be confirmed on the Order Confirmation after clicking submit. The Order Confirmation will display True next to Outside Regular Trading Hours.

If outside of regular trading hours is not available for a given product, the preset for that attribute will not be applied.

For example, if I enter GBTC stock in the order entry panel, the box to fill outside of RTH will not be displayed as it is not available for this particular product.

It is also possible to enable outside regular trading hours on a per order basis instead of using presets.

  • At the time of the trade, enter the product in the order entry window and fill out the other order attributes such as order type.
  • Prior to submitting the order, select the Time in Force drop down and click to check the box next to Fill Outside RTH.

Within Trader Workstation, you can view the regular trading hours and the total trading hours for a given product.

  • In the Portfolio tab or a Watchlist, right click on the product and a pop-up list will appear.
  • Select Financial Instrument Information then click Description.
  • Note you may need to click on the grey arrow at the bottom of the pop-up to expand the complete list of available choices.
  • A new window will open with details regarding the product.
  • The trading hours will be displayed on the left in the Stock Description section under Trading Schedule.
  • You will see the regular trading hours, the total available hours, and the exchange time zone. You may need to scroll down to view the entire section.

As we’ve discussed, it is possible to trade many exchange-listed products outside of regular trading hours and to enable this order attribute for eligible products by default using TWS Presets.

Outside RTH

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19 thoughts on “Trading Outside Regular Trading Hours (RTH)”

  • patrick craig

    can an order be opened in RTH as opposed to being live RTH

    • Interactive Brokers

      Please describe the difficulty you are experiencing in more detail, and we will do our best to help.

  • Vall

    What is the settlement period for an order made outside regular trading hours? For example, if an ETF stock is sold on 11.12.2024 and the sell order is filled Outside RTH at 20.00h, is the trading day still 11.12.2024 and if so, does the settlement happen on T+2= 13.12.2024? Or is it processed on the next business day and in this case I sould add one more business day? Thanks!

    • Interactive Brokers

      Thank you for asking. It depends on when outside of RTH the trade is executed. A trade at 7pm ET is the “after hours” trading session (4pm – 8pm) carry the same Trade Date (day of execution) as RTH trading and settle on the following business day (all US equities settle on a T+1 basis since May 2024). For trades that are executed in the overnight session, beginning at 8pm ET, those trades carry a Trade Date of the following business day. They will settle on a T+1 basis as well relative to the Trade Date. We hope this helps!

  • Bruno

    The option to execute outside of RTH is greyed out for future contacts (eg. NQ, SI and other CME group contracts). Is that because by default they are trading past 17pm EST Time during Asia/London session? Also, when leaving conditional orders on future contracts, will the condition be checked outside of RTH? Thank you

  • PT

    Can trails be active outside business hours?

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for asking. It depends on the product you are trading. Futures are available outside RTH. US stocks are not. We hope this provides clarity!

  • Elvis

    Hello, If an Open a position outside RTH, let say 8:30 pm, and close it at 10:00 am next day! Is this considered a same day trade (for pattern day trade?)

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for asking. Trades executed outside regular trading hours will fall in the regular trading session having the same trade date. Please view this FAQ for more information: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=29082342

      We hope this helps!

  • Anonymous

    Hi, there is an option to attach take-profit command to my parent order on pre-market session? I understand you cant do it for stop-loss command.

  • Anonymous

    how to exit a trade during pre market I can buy but how can I sell my position during pre market as stop loss orders don’t work outside regular trading orders?

  • Tim

    No stop loss possible for US stocks during pre market or post market…How could this be ? I mean IBKR is supposed to be the best, and stop loss is in the top 3 features you need for trading (limit order, market order and stop loss). This is beyond me.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for reaching out. Only Day Limit orders are allowed in the US overnight trading session. In this scenario, “DAY” implies the time during which the overnight market is open. Orders will only be active during the overnight trading hours and will expire automatically at 3:50am ET if not executed. We hope this helps!

  • Anonymous

    Any differences in terms of costs/commissions when trading outside of RTH? Anything to take in this aspect? Also, how long will an “outside RTH” order remain valid?

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for asking. The Commissions outside of regular trading hours are the same as regular trading hours. We hope this helps!

  • GIL

    Hello, I wanted to know about day trading rules outside RTH. Do they apply ? Thanks !

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello GIL, thank you for contacting us. Pattern Day Trader rules apply outside of Regular Trading Hours. Please reach back out with any additional questions. We are here to help!

  • Juan

    If I change the global config in Trader Workstation, will it apply to Trading View too? I’m unable to trigger stop losses or sell at all in trading view outside RTH.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for reaching out. It will apply to TradingView advanced charts in TWS. However, it will not carryover to the TradingView application. If this is in the TradingView app, please contact them directly regarding the issue.
      https://www.tradingview.com/support/

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Disclosure: Interactive Brokers

The analysis in this material is provided for information only and is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. To the extent that this material discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends or other broad-based economic or political conditions, it should not be construed as research or investment advice. To the extent that it includes references to specific securities, commodities, currencies, or other instruments, those references do not constitute a recommendation by IBKR to buy, sell or hold such investments. This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Before acting on this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, as necessary, seek professional advice.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Interactive Brokers, its affiliates, or its employees.

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