Do you also want to invest in world-class companies like NVIDIA and Apple but don’t know where to start? Are you confused about “US stock market opening hours” and the complexities of “US stock ETFs“? Don’t worry, this article is designed specifically for beginner investors like you. We will use the simplest approach to guide you from scratch, step by step through all the key knowledge for getting started with US stocks, so you can easily take your first step into global investing.
When stepping into the world of investing, choosing a good starting point is crucial. For many beginner investors in Taiwan and Malaysia, the US stock market is undoubtedly the brightest stage. Why do we say that? Let’s take a look at a few irresistible reasons.
Imagine this, the iPhone you use every day, the Windows system on your computer, the Starbucks coffee you drink while shopping, all these companies that dominate our daily lives are listed in the US. By investing in US stocks, you are no longer just a consumer but can become a shareholder of these global giants, letting the most profitable companies in the world make money for you. This is more than just investing, it is the most direct way to participate in the heartbeat of the global economy.
The US stock market is the global center of capital, with the largest market capitalization and trading volume in the world. What does this mean?
It is like being in a giant supermarket where everything is available, people come and go, and buying and selling are both effortless.
Unlike the Taiwan stock market where the minimum trading unit is one lot of (1,000 shares), US stocks are traded by “the share”. This greatly lowers the entry barrier, allowing you to become a shareholder of Apple or Amazon with just a few thousand New Taiwan dollars. In addition, the US market offers an extensive range of products including individual stocks, various ETFs, and bonds. No matter what type of investor you are, you can always find an investment that suits you.
💡 CashbackIsland Reminder: Investing in US stocks means standing on the shoulders of giants. You are not only investing in a single company but in global innovation and future trends. For beginners, this is a starting point full of opportunities and a broader vision.
If you want to perform well in the US stock market, understanding trading hours is fundamental. The trading schedule in the United States changes due to daylight saving time, which means investors in Asian time zones need to pay extra attention.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States is implemented to conserve energy, usually beginning on the second Sunday of March each year and ending on the first Sunday of November. This period is known as “Daylight Time”, while the rest of the year is referred to as “Standard Time”.
| Time System | US Eastern Time (ET) | Corresponding Taiwan/Malaysia Time |
| ☀️ Daylight Time (around March to November) | 09:30 – 16:00 | 21:30 to 04:00 (next day) |
| ❄️ Standard Time (around November to March) | 09:30 – 16:00 | 22:30 to 05:00 (next day) |
Simply put, stay up a little later in summer and even later in winter, and that is when we can trade US stocks. For office workers, the market opens right after dinner, making it very convenient.
In addition to regular trading hours, the US market also has “pre-market” and “after-hours” sessions. These periods are usually dominated by institutional investors or traders who are less sensitive to price fluctuations. Trading volume is lower, and price movements can be more volatile.
For beginners, it is recommended to focus on trading during regular market hours, as this period offers the best liquidity and most stable prices.
When investing in US stocks, it is important to be aware of national holidays, as the market will be closed on those days. Mark these dates in advance to avoid missing trading opportunities or wasting effort. The following are the estimated major market holidays for 2025 based on past schedules. Please refer to the official exchange announcements for the final confirmed dates.
| Date |
Holiday |
| January 1 (Wed) | New Year’s Day |
| January 20 (Mon) | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February 17 (Mon) | Washington’s Birthday |
| April 18 (Fri) | Good Friday |
| May 26 (Mon) | Memorial Day |
| June 19 (Thu) | Juneteenth |
| July 4 (Fri) | Independence Day |
| September 1 (Mon) | Labor Day |
| November 27 (Thu) | Thanksgiving Day |
| December 25 (Thu) | Christmas Day |
💡 Recommended Article
Want to learn more about the potential risks of investing in US stocks? Check out our in-depth analysis. Recommended reading
Don’t be intimidated when you hear the word “ETF”. It is actually a powerful tool designed specifically for beginner investors. Once you understand it, you are already halfway to success in US stock investing.
ETF stands for “Exchange Traded Fund”. You can think of it as an “investment portfolio cheat sheet”.
🛒 It is like buying a fruit basket at the supermarket: You don’t have to pick apples, bananas, and oranges one by one. Instead, you buy a ready-mixed fruit basket. That basket is the ETF, and the different fruits inside represent different stocks.
By purchasing an ETF that tracks the US market index, you are essentially buying shares of the top 500 US companies at once, such as Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. Want to learn more about what an ETF is? You can refer to our feature article.
For beginners, investing in ETFs offers unmatched advantages:
With thousands of ETFs available in the market, how do you choose the right one? Don’t worry, we have selected some of the most classic and beginner-friendly ETFs for you. These are high-quality choices that have stood the test of time in the market.
🔹 Features: Tracks the S&P 500 Index, the most representative benchmark of the US market, consisting of the 500 largest US companies by market capitalization. Buying VOO is equivalent to investing in the essence of the US economy. Warren Buffett has publicly recommended many times that ordinary investors invest directly in an S&P 500 index fund.
🔹Suitable for: Investors who want steady participation in US market growth without spending time researching individual stocks.
🔹 Features: With a single ETF, you can invest in stocks from more than 40 countries and nearly ten thousand companies, covering both developed and emerging markets. It is truly “all in the world”.
🔹 Suitable for: Those who seek maximum diversification and prefer a “lazy investment” approach to capture top-performing stocks worldwide.
🔹 Features: Tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, with holdings mainly concentrated in innovative sectors such as technology, internet, and biotechnology. Well-known companies like NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft are among its major constituents.
🔹Suitable for: Investors who are optimistic about the future of the technology sector and are willing to accept higher volatility in exchange for greater potential returns.
🔹 Features: Focuses on companies with strong financial health and a consistent record of paying high dividends. In addition to capital gains, investors can also receive steady cash dividends to build passive income.
🔹 Suitable for: Those who prefer stable cash flow and aim for both asset growth and dividend income.
🔍 How to Choose?
Beginners can start with VOO to get a feel for the market, and later, as they gain experience, adjust their portfolio with other ETFs according to their preferences.
Can Bitcoin also be invested in through ETFs? That’s right! To learn more about this emerging investment vehicle, check out our complete guide: What Is a Bitcoin ETF? A Full Guide to 11 Spot Bitcoin ETF Symbols, Fees, and How to Buy.
From understanding the basic rules of “US market opening hours” to learning how to use the powerful tool of “US stock ETFs”, you now have a clear blueprint for getting started in US stock investing. Investing in US stocks is not an unattainable dream; it is the most direct way to access world-leading companies and participate in global economic growth. For beginners, choosing broad-market ETFs such as VOO or VT, investing regularly, and holding patiently is the simplest and most effective strategy. Stop hesitating, open an account with a reliable broker now and take your first bold step into global investing. Let the engine of global growth become the driving force behind your wealth accumulation.
A: Not at all! US stocks are traded by “the share”, and many well-known companies’ shares cost only tens or hundreds of dollars each. In addition, many overseas brokers now offer “fractional shares”, allowing you to invest with as little as 1 dollar, making it very friendly for small investors.
A: There are two main options:
1. Domestic sub-brokerage: The advantage is convenience, as funds do not need to be transferred overseas, and customer service is available in Chinese. The downside is that fees are usually higher, and there may be minimum transaction requirements.
2. Overseas broker: The advantage is very low fees (many offer zero commission) and a wide variety of trading tools. The downside is that you need to handle international wire transfers yourself, and customer support may require communication in English.
For frequent traders or long-term investors, the cost advantage of overseas brokers is more significant.
A: Yes. As foreign investors, the “dividends” we receive from US stock ETFs are subject to a 30% withholding tax. This is automatically handled by the broker, so the dividends you receive are already post-tax. However, capital gains (the profit earned from buying and selling) are not taxed. For long-term investors, choosing ETFs that reinvest dividends can help reduce the impact of taxation.
A: The main cost of US stock ETFs is the “expense ratio” or “management fee”, which is deducted daily from the fund’s net asset value. You will not see this charge directly, but it affects the ETF’s long-term performance. Therefore, choosing ETFs with low expense ratios is very important. For example, VOO has a management fee of only 0.03%, which means that for every 10,000 dollars invested, you are charged just 3 dollars a year, an extremely low cost.
