[ by Howard Haykin ]

ALL U.S. STOCK AND OPTIONS MARKETS WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, AS HURRICANE SANDY APPROACHES.  

MARKETS MAY REMAIN CLOSED TUESDAY.

For the first time in 3 decades, the decision was made to close all Wall Street stock markets - both physical and electronic exchanges.  The Nasdaq and BATS stock markets, which are built on electronic trading, also decided to close.

The CME Group, which operates the Nymex commodities exchange, said it would halt trading on its physical commodities floor and on its electronic stock futures and options exchanges. - though that wouldn't necessarily include its commodities and financial futures exchanges that operated on electronic platforms. 

SIFMA issued a statement by email calling for bond trading, which is all done electronically, to close at noon Monday, though it left the final decision to member firms.

Last Closing.   The NYSE last closed trading for weather reasons in 1985, when Hurricane Gloria lashed the metropolitan area. The opening of trading has been delayed a number of times, including during a blizzard in January 1996. The exchange was closed for three days after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

For further details, go to:   [ Dealbook, 10/28/12 ].