Source: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/opening-auction

# Opening auction
URL: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/opening-auction
Last modified: 2026-10-17

The opening auction is the single trade that starts the US day at 7:00 PM IST, 8:00 PM in winter. Orders collect before the bell, one price is computed at which the most shares change hands, and everyone trades at it. It is where [overnight news first meets the full book](https://mochatrade.com/learn/us-market-structure/how-us-stock-prices-form), and [market makers stay wide](https://mochatrade.com/learn/us-market-structure/who-moves-us-stocks) until it clears.

## Related terms

- Closing auction (official close): https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/closing-auction
- NASDAQ: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/nasdaq
- Payment for order flow: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/payment-for-order-flow
- Dark pool: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/dark-pool
- Direct listing / SPAC: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/direct-listing-spac
- US ETF: https://mochatrade.com/learn/glossary/us-etf