Finding balance in an 'always-on' trading world

The trading world is undergoing a seismic shift. Driven by technological advances, investor demand, and shifting market structures, modern trading is faster, more accessible, and more empowering than ever before—and the trading day lasts far longer, thanks to the proliferation of 24-hour trading.

Platforms like the thinkorswim^® suite offer traders best-in-class trading tools, education and access to the markets nearly around the clock.

But with this increased access and up-leveling of skill comes a new challenge: how do traders maintain a healthy balance in their lives in an "always-on" trading environment? Is it still possible to step away without missing out?

This isn’t an entirely new phenomenon. Schwab has been a leader in futures trading, which has largely always followed a 24-hour schedule and has consistently been a source of value and liquidity for many clients for more than a decade. And since 2018, thinkorswim^® has enabled weekday round-the-clock trading in a growing number—more than 1,100 as of this writing—of select equities.

The benefits of 24/5 trading are clear: Traders can respond in real-time to global news and market shifts, operate across international time zones with ease, engage with powerful investing tools and educational resources after-hours and put strategies into immediate practice rather than wait for the opening bell. Extended trading hours also help to smooth out intraday price swings by distributing trading activity more evenly. 

It's important to recognize that this evolution has been driven by retail investor demand. 

Consider, for example, how tariff negotiations have moved markets recently, often outside of traditional trading hours. And of course, it’s impossible to ignore how the advent of cryptocurrency trading, which is inherently a 24-hour experience, has shifted many traders’ mindsets. Considering all these factors, it only makes sense that still being beholden to standard market hours in 2025 would feel antiquated. 

Traders want to be in a position to act on market-moving events in real time, and they are doing just that through extended hours trading. Since broadening access to expanded overnight trading in February of this year, Schwab has seen significant client engagement that continues to grow. Thousands of clients trade in the overnight session for the first time each week—a trend that’s especially pronounced among International clients.

While 24/5 trading has been a significant leap, a 24/7 market will not be too far behind. 

The cryptocurrency market offers a working prototype. Always active and globally interconnected, crypto gives investors the flexibility to trade any time, any day. And the influence of crypto trading is spreading. From single stock futures to zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) options to event contracts to tokenization and more, traditional markets are flashing signals that they are adapting to crypto’s always-on rhythm. 

But while the potential benefits are many, some significant concerns shouldn’t be ignored. Constant access to markets and news can lead traders to feel FOMO (fear of missing out)—a sense that stepping away will mean missing opportunities. That pressure can lead to compulsive monitoring, decision fatigue, and, eventually, burnout.

I’ve said before that very few successful traders are out there truly winging it—like all savvy investors, most are guided by a plan and alignment to their own financial goals, for example utilizing identified entry and exit points. Traders understand the importance of having a strategy if you want to accomplish something. That adage applies here too. 

Here are a few ways traders can manage feelings of FOMO, stay grounded and achieve balance in their trading—and their lives: 

• Design a clear trading plan. If you don’t already have one, now’s the time to clearly outline what you aim to do and how that may help you achieve your goals. Structured, rules-based trading plans and contingency planning reduce the need for constant decision-making and may help keep you grounded when it feels like markets are moving without you.
• Automate with intention. Use the tools at your disposal—including alerts, conditional orders, and watchlists—to monitor markets for you, without the need to keep your eyes glued to your screen (or screens, as the case may be).
• Invest in education. Smart traders never stop learning. Engage, or keep engaging, with quality education with an eye toward understanding how to navigate unpredictable environments. If you’re newer to trading, you may not have “seen it all” yet, and that’s okay. There is a wealth of information and resources from those who have walked the path before you. Take the opportunity to learn from them. Knowledge reduces anxiety and builds confidence.
• Embrace community. Learning from peers and sharing insights can lighten the emotional and cognitive load of trading. Schwab offers in-person workshops and Market Drive events around the country where traders can connect with each other and pick up new skills from industry experts. Online, we foster in-platform sharing on thinkorswim to allow traders to share personal items like chart setups, order and alert templates, workspaces, and many more with other users of the platforms.
• Remember that markets aren’t static. There are never guarantees in trading (or in life, for that matter). Traders are great at seeing potential opportunities in market moves. Just don’t forget that even if you do miss out one day, new opportunities are likely still ahead.

Of course, responsibility doesn’t lie with traders alone. Brokerages and platforms must provide accessible resources and promote healthy trading habits. Education should be an ongoing partnership between providers and clients. 

At Schwab, we recognize that offering access isn’t enough. We approach trading holistically, combining our best-in-class platforms and broad array of products with tailored education and specialized support. We partner with our clients by giving them the resources they need to invest and trade on their own terms. And as market accessibility continues to expand, traders will need support. We will be there.

Without question, the trading world today is at a historic high in terms of access, efficiency, and empowerment. But success in an always-on market includes knowing when to step back, not just when to lean in.