Q: When is Public Holidays updated?
A: Every Monday. More frequently should the need arise.

Q: At what time can one generally expect the web site to be updated?
A: The data should definitely be available by GMT 22.00pm. Normally though it will be updated by 15.00pm.

Q: Where does the data used in the project come from?
A: Information comes from a wide range of different sources. Information about Stock Exchanges is generally provided by either the Exchange itself, local data vendors, or else is taken from financial information providers. Bank data generally comes from Central Banks, Banking Associations or Embassies.

Q: How frequently is the data checked?
A: Monthly and quarterly. Institutions from the world’s major economies (Western Europe, North America, etc.) are checked weekly.

Q: Some institutions make changes to their schedules at the last minute. Does your web site show these changes?
A: Yes, whenever possible. For institutions where last minute changes are likely we will place details in the Notes to advise the user that this is the case.

Q: What is a FULL Holiday?
A: When an institution is closed for the entire day.

Q: What is a PARTIAL Holiday?
A: Either when an institution is closed for part of the day, or when only certain instruments are closed (Exchanges), or when holidays are observed on a regional basis (Banks). Explanations for each Partial holiday can be found in the Notes.

Q: What is a WEEKEND Holiday?
A: A holiday that falls on a non working day (the weekend). Weekend holidays are only marked for certain religious holidays observed by institutions in certain countries (see next question).

Q: Which countries are weekend holidays marked for?
A: All countries that observe any Islamic or Poya (Sri Lanka) holidays each year.

Q: Why do you only include weekend holidays for certain countries?
A: We only include weekend holidays for those countries where there is the possibility that religious holidays, which are based on lunar sightings, will change from falling on a weekend day to a weekday. With only a few days notice of changes (if that) given by some institutions including weekend holidays it is the only way to alert the user that there is a holiday scheduled to occur that may be moved.

We do not need to include weekend holidays for other countries because fixed holiday schedules are available months and years in advance and holidays falling at the weekend will either default as a rule (as is the case in the US and UK) or simply not be observed that year.

Check the Notes section of each institution to see whether weekend holidays are marked for that institution.

Q: My sources tell me that there is a forthcoming holiday scheduled for a specific day. Why is this day not marked on your web site?
A: There are several possible reasons for this. In some countries different sources will sometimes give different holiday dates. Holiday dates can change (sometimes more than once) in the course of the year. The user should also remember that weekend holidays are not marked for most countries. If you are in any doubt, please contact us to clarify.

Q: Until what year are holiday records available?
A: 2029. Although, records for certain religion’s holidays (such as Chinese holidays) are currently not available that far in to the future.

Q: How do you predict holidays so far into the future?
A: For a few institutions, records are available for many years ahead. But in the majority of cases future national and institutional holiday schedules are based on past and current national and institutional holiday schedules. While religious holidays dates are known for some denominations (i.e. Christian) until 2029, and can be predicted approximately for others (i.e. Islamic).

Q: I have been looking at the holiday records for a certain Exchange, and I have noticed that records for this Exchange are more detailed for the current year than for future years. Why is this the case?
A: We can produce accurate records based on past national and institutional holiday schedules observed by each institution until 2029. However, most institutions will only produce a complete holiday list (that will include holiday’s particular to an institution and all partial holidays such as early closing days or days when only certain instruments close) for the current year or a year ahead.

Q: How do I find information on the working week, default rules, opening or trading times (where relevant), settlement, early closings or late openings, religious holidays and time zones?
A: When the Holiday Search Results appear for the institution that you are interested in, simply click on the abbreviated code in the Institution column.