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The Daily Insight

What pushes a stock price down?

Author

John Thompson

Published Feb 16, 2026

By this we mean that share prices change because of supply and demand. If more people want to buy a stock (demand) than sell it (supply), then the price moves up. Conversely, if more people wanted to sell a stock than buy it, there would be greater supply than demand, and the price would fall.

Why do stock prices change after-hours?

The development of after-hours trading (AHT) has had a major effect on the price of the stock between the closing and opening bells because it means that transactions are happening and shifting the prices of stocks even after-hours.

Does after-hours trading affect opening price?

Stock Pricing Differences During Extended Hours Trading Typically, price changes in the after-hours market have the same effect on a stock as changes in the regular market: A one-dollar increase in the after-hours market is the same as a one-dollar increase in the regular market.

What time of day do stocks move the most?

The whole 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET period is often one of the best hours of the day for day trading, offering the biggest moves in the shortest amount of time. A lot of professional day traders stop trading around 11:30 a.m. because that is when volatility and volume tend to taper off.

Should you buy stock after hours?

There are several potential benefits for after-hours trading: Convenience: Some traders simply aren’t able to place trades during the normal session due to their schedules. The after-hours session allows them to check out the current quotes and potentially place a trade at a more convenient time.

How are opening stock prices determined?

On the NYSE and ASE, the specialist determines the opening price by looking at his/her “book.” The specialists are supposed to select the one price that clears out the maximum number of orders; i.e. by looking at the buy and sell offers and choosing a single price will execute the most orders (shares).

Where does money go when stock market crashes?

When a stock tumbles and an investor loses money, the money doesn’t get redistributed to someone else. Essentially, it has disappeared into thin air, reflecting dwindling investor interest and a decline in investor perception of the stock.

What happens when u buy stock after hours?

After-hours trading takes place after the markets have closed. Risks associated with after-hours trading include less liquidity, wide spreads, more competition from institutional investors, and more volatility. After-hours trading allows investors to react immediately to breaking news and is much more convenient.