New York Stock Exchange plans to reopen on May 26

The New York Stock Exchange, which was forced by the coronavirus pandemic to shut its doors in March, will reopen the day after Memorial Day featuring a smaller contingent of traders – at least for the time being.

Many of the designated market makers will continue to work remotely

The iconic 227 year-old Big Board plans to transition its market makers back to the trading floor on May 26, according to NYSE President Stacey Cunningham, who dropped the news in a Wall Street Journal op-ed late Thursday. After the COVID-19 crisis forced the Big Apple to adopt strict stay-at-home orders, the NYSE went fully electronic, with many traders and staff working remotely.

Once the exchange opens its doors anew, however, the contingent of floor traders that have become a fixture on television and in print will be smaller. Many of the designated market makers will continue to work remotely.

The reopened exchange would look different from the iconic images

Many traders have grown accustomed to seeing televised throughout the trading day.

Floor brokers will wear face masks – a staple of post-lockdown life – and will follow strict social distancing requirements, enforced by a new choreography that defines the space where each person may work on the floor.

In order to avoid public spreading of COVID-19, the exchange is asking visitors and floor workers to skip riding buses and subways. There will also b e temperature checks and screenings, and those who don’t pass will be denied entry.

New York City is still experiencing high infection rates

With New York City still experiencing high infection rates, and many large companies extending work from home arrangements with staff, it’s an open question whether the NYSE’s trading floor will once again become the hub of frenetic activity it was before the pandemic struck.

“The virus will remain a stubborn reality but we can’t keep the country closed indefinitely,” Cunningham said in the WSJ op-ed.

“Given that, our reopening will bring a ‘new normal’ for the NYSE, hopefully helping chart a path that other businesses in densely populated areas might follow,” she added.

About E. J. McKay

 E.J.McKay is a Shanghai-headquartered investment bank with a special focus on mergers & acquisitions. We are one of the most long standing independent investment banks in China, with core business of mergers & acquisitions and financing advisory.