What to Expect in the Thanksgiving Day Trading Week

Trading Patterns in the Thanksgiving Day Week

Many years ago I went to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Markets went crazy and I had one of the best trading days of my career. For several years after I went into the office on Friday hoping for a retest but it never happened. I left early after a full session.

Let’s take a look at what participation during Thanksgiving week looks like

This not a normal trading week.

U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is Thursday.

For some it is a two day week. For most it is a three day week.

Wednesday is the busiest travel day of the year as many go to visit family for the holiday.

U.S. markets are closed Thursday.

Most take Friday off.

Stay on alert

With that said it pays to be on alert given the geopolitical risks. In addition, now that President Trump is filling out his center, including the important Treasury Secretary post, stay on alert for any headlines related to tariffs.

So, volatility cannot be ruled pit in thin liquidity but remember this is typically not a week where traders look to add risk.

Addendum Nov 24, 2025: Why to stay alert

• Event risk: Will Ulraine-Russia peace plan talks have a breakthrough?
• Will  the shift in favor of a December Fed  rate cut last?
• Talk of Japanese intervention risk assumes the government wants a stronger JPY or maybe it just doesn’t want USDJPY to race away to the upside. My thought is interrvention risk talk is just talk unless 158 comes under fresh attack..
• UK budget (could impact GBP and its crosses)

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