Is there anything special you must do to sell stocks after hours?

Question

Some people have told me you can sell and buy stocks "after hours", I thought you could only buy and sell stocks during the start and end of the day. If you can actually sell them after closing time at 4pm EST, then is there something special you have to do? What is the latest you can buy and sell stocks? Can you do this with an Etrade account?

Answer 1

Yes, E-Trade allows for after hours transactions.  But as a previous answerer said, make sure you do not buy or sell at "Market".  There is always someone with an offer to buy at $.01, or sell at $1000 to take advantage if you do business at Market.

Answer 2

The only thing you have to do is be very carefull. After hours trading is very dangerous because of the usually low volumes.

Market orders are especially dangerous & should be avoided in after hours trading.

Answer 3

After hours trading is 4:15 to 8:00pm EST.  (Some might start at 4pm.)  

Just go to your trading page, there should be a link for afterhours trading.  Click it then enter your order.

Some brokers will only accept limit orders in extended trading.   I don't know about Etrade, but you should definitely use a limit order even if not required.