Why Indian Stock Markets To Hold Muhurat Trading Session on Diwali? Read Details

New Delhi: Diwali is just around the corner, and the festival is an exception to the general rule that stock markets are closed on most festivals. It brings the unique Muhurat trading session, a one-hour window when the stock markets remain open to mark the beginning of the Hindu calendar year, Samvat 2081. Like every year, the special Muhurat Trading session falls on November 1, 2024. Read on to find out the details ranging from the trading hours to their significance.

What Is Muhurat Trading?Muhurat trading is a special trading session conducted on Laxmi Pujan Day during Diwali. Both the NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) will host this symbolic session. Traders are allowed to trade across multiple segments such as equities, commodities, currency derivatives, securities lending and borrowing, and futures and options. Muhurat Trading: TimeThis year's Muhurat trading will take place between 6 PM and 7 PM on November 1. As per the exchanges' circulars, all intra-day trading positions will be automatically squared off 15 minutes before the session ends. What Is The Significance Of Muhurat Trading?The tradition of Muhurat trading holds great cultural importance. On Diwali, Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth, is worshipped, and this session is seen as a way to start the new year with her blessings.Many traders and investors believe that buying shares during this time will bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. Some even open new trading accounts on this day to begin their investment journey afresh.

How Stock Market Performed During Muhurat Trading?Historically, Muhurat trading sessions have yielded positive outcomes, with the BSE Sensex closing higher in 13 out of the last 17 sessions. While equity indices often perform well during this auspicious window, trading volumes tend to be low, and significant stock movements are rare. A notable exception was in 2008, when the Sensex defied market expectations by soaring 5.86 per cent in just one hour, closing at 9,008 points. However, the rally was short-lived, as the index remained largely range-bound for the rest of the year, weighed down by the global financial crisis.