Stock market open, USPS closed on Columbus Day

The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will remain open on Monday, Oct. 12, while the U.S. Postal Service will suspend all regular mail delivery and close its offices. The day serves as a federal holiday, resulting in the closure of U.S. government offices and time off for federal employees, according to the Pew Research Center. Although the holiday falls on the second Monday in October, creating a three-day weekend for some workers, its observance varies across the country as recognition shifts toward honoring Indigenous Peoples.

Financial markets will operate during their regular working hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. In contrast, the postal service will not process residential or business mail, and all post offices will be shut. Banking services present a mixed picture, with some institutions closing their branches while others remain open to the public. JPMorgan Chase has stated that its branches will be open on Oct. 12, but the bank will treat the date as a holiday for online transactions. This means customers cannot schedule transactions to occur on that specific day, and any repeating transactions will be processed on the preceding business day. Conversely, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are among the many banks that will be closed.

Retail operations continue largely as normal for major chains. Costco is open for business, as Columbus Day is not included among the seven holidays the discount chain observes. Walmart stores are also open during regular hours, according to the retailer's website. The variation in business hours reflects the broader trend noted by Pew Research Center, where the holiday is no longer as widely observed by private employers as it has been in the past.