**Heads Up: US Stock Futures Markets Observing July 4th Holiday Schedule**

With Independence Day approaching, traders need to adjust their strategies accordingly. The US stock market will observe a complete closure on July 4th, and futures trading hours will be compressed on both sides of the Atlantic.

**CME Markets Wrap Up Early**

Contracts tracked on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange will conclude trading earlier than usual. Stock index futures, precious metals contracts, crude oil futures, and foreign exchange pairs will all wind down at 01:00 Beijing time on July 5th. This compressed schedule gives traders a shorter window to position themselves or exit existing trades before the extended holiday break.

**ICE Following Suit with Extended Timeline**

The Intercontinental Exchange is implementing a slightly different schedule. Brent crude oil futures trading on the ICE platform will wrap up at 01:30 Beijing time on July 5th—giving traders an extra 30 minutes compared to CME products. This staggered timing is worth noting for those managing energy futures positions.

**What Traders Should Know**

The early closures mean reduced liquidity heading into the holiday period. Anyone holding positions across these futures markets should review their exposure and consider adjustments before trading windows narrow. With both major exchanges compressing their schedules simultaneously, market volatility patterns may shift, and order execution could face delays during the final trading hours. Mark these times in your calendar to avoid missing critical deadlines.