diff --git a/services/trade_executor/__init__.py b/services/trade_executor/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec5bf0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/trade_executor/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Trade Executor service — risk management and order execution."""
diff --git a/services/trade_executor/config.py b/services/trade_executor/config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49df392
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/trade_executor/config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+"""Configuration for the trade executor service."""
+
+from shared.config import BaseConfig
+
+
+class TradeExecutorConfig(BaseConfig):
+    """Extends BaseConfig with trade-executor-specific settings."""
+
+    max_position_pct: float = 0.05
+    max_total_exposure_pct: float = 0.80
+    max_positions: int = 20
+    default_stop_loss_pct: float = 0.03
+    cooldown_minutes: int = 30
+    alpaca_api_key: str = ""
+    alpaca_secret_key: str = ""
+    paper_trading: bool = True
+
+    model_config = {"env_prefix": "TRADING_"}
diff --git a/services/trade_executor/main.py b/services/trade_executor/main.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c89fc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/trade_executor/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+"""Trade Executor service -- main entry point.
+
+Consumes ``signals:generated`` from Redis Streams, runs risk checks,
+submits orders via the brokerage abstraction layer, records trades
+in the database, and publishes ``TradeExecution`` messages to
+``trades:executed``.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+import time
+import uuid
+
+from redis.asyncio import Redis
+
+from services.trade_executor.config import TradeExecutorConfig
+from services.trade_executor.risk_manager import RiskManager
+from shared.broker.alpaca_broker import AlpacaBroker
+from shared.redis_streams import StreamConsumer, StreamPublisher
+from shared.schemas.trading import (
+    OrderRequest,
+    OrderSide,
+    OrderStatus,
+    SignalDirection,
+    TradeExecution,
+    TradeSignal,
+)
+from shared.telemetry import setup_telemetry
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+async def process_signal(
+    signal: TradeSignal,
+    risk_manager: RiskManager,
+    broker: AlpacaBroker,
+    publisher: StreamPublisher,
+    counters: dict,
+) -> None:
+    """Process a single trade signal: risk check, order, record, publish.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    signal:
+        The trade signal to act on.
+    risk_manager:
+        Performs pre-trade risk checks and position sizing.
+    broker:
+        Brokerage adapter for submitting orders.
+    publisher:
+        Publishes execution results to ``trades:executed``.
+    counters:
+        Dict of OpenTelemetry counter/histogram instruments.
+    """
+    # --- Step 1: risk check ---
+    approved, reason = await risk_manager.check_risk(signal)
+    if not approved:
+        logger.info("Signal REJECTED for %s: %s", signal.ticker, reason)
+        counters["rejections"].add(1, {"reason": reason.split(" ")[0]})
+        return
+
+    # --- Step 2: calculate position size ---
+    account = await broker.get_account()
+    qty = risk_manager.calculate_position_size(signal, account)
+    if qty <= 0:
+        logger.info("Position size is zero for %s — skipping", signal.ticker)
+        counters["rejections"].add(1, {"reason": "zero_position_size"})
+        return
+
+    # --- Step 3: create order ---
+    side = OrderSide.BUY if signal.direction == SignalDirection.LONG else OrderSide.SELL
+    order_request = OrderRequest(
+        ticker=signal.ticker,
+        side=side,
+        qty=float(qty),
+    )
+
+    # --- Step 4: submit order ---
+    start = time.monotonic()
+    result = await broker.submit_order(order_request)
+    elapsed = time.monotonic() - start
+    counters["fill_latency"].record(elapsed)
+
+    # --- Step 5: build trade execution ---
+    trade_id = uuid.uuid4()
+    execution = TradeExecution(
+        trade_id=trade_id,
+        ticker=signal.ticker,
+        side=side,
+        qty=result.qty,
+        price=result.filled_price or 0.0,
+        status=result.status,
+        signal_id=None,
+        strategy_id=None,
+        timestamp=result.timestamp,
+    )
+
+    # --- Step 6: publish to trades:executed ---
+    await publisher.publish(execution.model_dump(mode="json"))
+    counters["trades_executed"].add(1)
+    logger.info(
+        "Trade executed: %s %s %.0f shares @ %s status=%s",
+        side.value,
+        signal.ticker,
+        result.qty,
+        result.filled_price,
+        result.status.value,
+    )
+
+
+async def run(config: TradeExecutorConfig | None = None) -> None:
+    """Main service loop.
+
+    Connects to Redis, initialises the broker and risk manager, then
+    continuously consumes from ``signals:generated`` and publishes
+    execution results to ``trades:executed``.
+    """
+    if config is None:
+        config = TradeExecutorConfig()
+
+    logging.basicConfig(level=config.log_level)
+    logger.info("Starting Trade Executor service")
+
+    # --- Telemetry ---
+    meter = setup_telemetry("trade-executor", config.otel_metrics_port)
+    counters = {
+        "trades_executed": meter.create_counter(
+            "trades_executed",
+            description="Total trades successfully submitted",
+        ),
+        "rejections": meter.create_counter(
+            "trade_rejections",
+            description="Signals rejected by risk checks",
+        ),
+        "fill_latency": meter.create_histogram(
+            "order_fill_latency_seconds",
+            description="Time from order submission to response",
+            unit="s",
+        ),
+    }
+
+    # --- Redis ---
+    redis = Redis.from_url(config.redis_url, decode_responses=False)
+    consumer = StreamConsumer(redis, "signals:generated", "trade-executor", "worker-1")
+    publisher = StreamPublisher(redis, "trades:executed")
+
+    # --- Broker ---
+    broker = AlpacaBroker(
+        api_key=config.alpaca_api_key,
+        secret_key=config.alpaca_secret_key,
+        paper=config.paper_trading,
+    )
+
+    # --- Risk manager ---
+    risk_manager = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+    logger.info("Consuming from signals:generated, publishing to trades:executed")
+
+    # --- Consume loop ---
+    async for _msg_id, data in consumer.consume():
+        try:
+            signal = TradeSignal.model_validate(data)
+            await process_signal(signal, risk_manager, broker, publisher, counters)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception("Error processing signal: %s", data)
+
+
+def main() -> None:
+    """CLI entry point."""
+    asyncio.run(run())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/services/trade_executor/risk_manager.py b/services/trade_executor/risk_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0902263
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/trade_executor/risk_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+"""Pre-trade risk management checks and position sizing.
+
+Validates that a proposed trade satisfies all risk constraints before
+it is submitted to the brokerage.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from zoneinfo import ZoneInfo
+
+from services.trade_executor.config import TradeExecutorConfig
+from shared.broker.base import BaseBroker
+from shared.schemas.trading import AccountInfo, PositionInfo, SignalDirection, TradeSignal
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+_ET = ZoneInfo("America/New_York")
+
+# Market hours in Eastern Time
+_MARKET_OPEN_HOUR = 9
+_MARKET_OPEN_MINUTE = 30
+_MARKET_CLOSE_HOUR = 16
+_MARKET_CLOSE_MINUTE = 0
+
+
+class RiskManager:
+    """Performs pre-trade risk checks and calculates position sizes.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    config:
+        Trade executor configuration with risk parameters.
+    broker:
+        Broker instance for querying current positions and account info.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, config: TradeExecutorConfig, broker: BaseBroker) -> None:
+        self.config = config
+        self.broker = broker
+        # ticker -> last exit timestamp
+        self._cooldowns: dict[str, datetime] = {}
+
+    def record_exit(self, ticker: str, exit_time: datetime | None = None) -> None:
+        """Record the time a position was exited for cooldown tracking."""
+        self._cooldowns[ticker] = exit_time or datetime.now(tz=_ET)
+
+    async def check_risk(self, signal: TradeSignal) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+        """Run all pre-trade risk checks.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        tuple[bool, str]
+            ``(approved, reason)`` — ``approved`` is ``True`` when
+            all checks pass, otherwise ``reason`` explains the failure.
+        """
+        # 1. Market hours
+        now_et = datetime.now(tz=_ET)
+        if not self._is_market_hours(now_et):
+            return False, "outside_market_hours"
+
+        # 2. Cooldown
+        if signal.ticker in self._cooldowns:
+            last_exit = self._cooldowns[signal.ticker]
+            cooldown_end = last_exit + timedelta(minutes=self.config.cooldown_minutes)
+            if now_et < cooldown_end:
+                remaining = (cooldown_end - now_et).total_seconds() / 60
+                return False, f"cooldown_active ({remaining:.1f}m remaining)"
+
+        # 3. Max positions
+        positions = await self.broker.get_positions()
+        if len(positions) >= self.config.max_positions:
+            return False, "max_positions_exceeded"
+
+        # 4. Max total exposure
+        account = await self.broker.get_account()
+        total_exposure = sum(abs(p.market_value) for p in positions)
+        max_exposure = account.equity * self.config.max_total_exposure_pct
+        if total_exposure >= max_exposure:
+            return False, "max_exposure_exceeded"
+
+        return True, "approved"
+
+    def calculate_position_size(
+        self,
+        signal: TradeSignal,
+        account: AccountInfo,
+    ) -> float:
+        """Calculate the number of shares to buy/sell.
+
+        Uses fixed-fractional sizing: ``equity * max_position_pct``
+        gives the maximum dollar value per position, then scales by
+        signal strength.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        signal:
+            The trade signal (includes current price via strength).
+        account:
+            Current account info (equity, buying power).
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        float
+            Number of shares (whole shares).
+        """
+        if signal.strength <= 0 or account.equity <= 0:
+            return 0.0
+
+        position_value = account.equity * self.config.max_position_pct
+        position_value *= signal.strength
+
+        # Need a price to compute qty — use the signal's embedded price
+        # or fall back to getting it from the snapshot.  For simplicity
+        # the executor will pass the current price through the signal's
+        # sentiment_context or fetch it directly.
+        current_price = 0.0
+        if signal.sentiment_context and "current_price" in signal.sentiment_context:
+            current_price = float(signal.sentiment_context["current_price"])
+
+        if current_price <= 0:
+            logger.warning("No current price for %s, cannot size position", signal.ticker)
+            return 0.0
+
+        qty = position_value / current_price
+        return max(int(qty), 0)
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Internal helpers
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _is_market_hours(now_et: datetime) -> bool:
+        """Return ``True`` if *now_et* falls within regular US market hours.
+
+        Market hours: Monday--Friday, 9:30 AM -- 4:00 PM ET.
+        """
+        # Weekday check (0=Monday ... 6=Sunday)
+        if now_et.weekday() >= 5:
+            return False
+
+        market_open = now_et.replace(
+            hour=_MARKET_OPEN_HOUR,
+            minute=_MARKET_OPEN_MINUTE,
+            second=0,
+            microsecond=0,
+        )
+        market_close = now_et.replace(
+            hour=_MARKET_CLOSE_HOUR,
+            minute=_MARKET_CLOSE_MINUTE,
+            second=0,
+            microsecond=0,
+        )
+        return market_open <= now_et < market_close
diff --git a/tests/services/test_trade_executor.py b/tests/services/test_trade_executor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ec42bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/test_trade_executor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,403 @@
+"""Tests for the Trade Executor service.
+
+Covers RiskManager (market hours, positions, exposure, cooldown,
+position sizing) and the end-to-end executor flow with a mocked broker.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock, patch
+from zoneinfo import ZoneInfo
+
+import pytest
+
+from services.trade_executor.config import TradeExecutorConfig
+from services.trade_executor.main import process_signal
+from services.trade_executor.risk_manager import RiskManager
+from shared.schemas.trading import (
+    AccountInfo,
+    OrderResult,
+    OrderSide,
+    OrderStatus,
+    PositionInfo,
+    SignalDirection,
+    TradeSignal,
+)
+
+_ET = ZoneInfo("America/New_York")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _make_config(**overrides) -> TradeExecutorConfig:
+    defaults = dict(
+        max_position_pct=0.05,
+        max_total_exposure_pct=0.80,
+        max_positions=20,
+        default_stop_loss_pct=0.03,
+        cooldown_minutes=30,
+        alpaca_api_key="test",
+        alpaca_secret_key="test",
+        paper_trading=True,
+    )
+    defaults.update(overrides)
+    return TradeExecutorConfig(**defaults)
+
+
+def _make_signal(
+    ticker: str = "AAPL",
+    direction: SignalDirection = SignalDirection.LONG,
+    strength: float = 0.8,
+    current_price: float = 150.0,
+) -> TradeSignal:
+    return TradeSignal(
+        ticker=ticker,
+        direction=direction,
+        strength=strength,
+        strategy_sources=["test"],
+        sentiment_context={"current_price": current_price},
+        timestamp=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
+    )
+
+
+def _make_account(equity: float = 100_000.0) -> AccountInfo:
+    return AccountInfo(
+        equity=equity,
+        cash=equity,
+        buying_power=equity * 2,
+        portfolio_value=equity,
+    )
+
+
+def _make_position(ticker: str = "AAPL", market_value: float = 5000.0) -> PositionInfo:
+    return PositionInfo(
+        ticker=ticker,
+        qty=10.0,
+        avg_entry=150.0,
+        current_price=150.0,
+        unrealized_pnl=0.0,
+        market_value=market_value,
+    )
+
+
+def _mock_broker(positions: list[PositionInfo] | None = None, account: AccountInfo | None = None):
+    """Create an AsyncMock broker with configurable positions and account."""
+    broker = AsyncMock()
+    broker.get_positions = AsyncMock(return_value=positions or [])
+    broker.get_account = AsyncMock(return_value=account or _make_account())
+    broker.submit_order = AsyncMock(
+        return_value=OrderResult(
+            order_id="ord-123",
+            ticker="AAPL",
+            side=OrderSide.BUY,
+            qty=10.0,
+            filled_price=150.0,
+            status=OrderStatus.FILLED,
+            timestamp=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
+        )
+    )
+    return broker
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RiskManager — risk check passes
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestRiskCheckPasses:
+    """All conditions met -> risk check passes."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_all_conditions_met(self):
+        config = _make_config()
+        broker = _mock_broker(positions=[], account=_make_account(100_000))
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+        signal = _make_signal()
+
+        # Patch _is_market_hours to return True
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "_is_market_hours", return_value=True):
+            approved, reason = await rm.check_risk(signal)
+
+        assert approved is True
+        assert reason == "approved"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RiskManager — max positions exceeded
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestRiskCheckMaxPositions:
+    """Risk check fails when max_positions is already reached."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_max_positions_exceeded(self):
+        config = _make_config(max_positions=2)
+        # Already have 2 positions
+        positions = [_make_position("AAPL"), _make_position("MSFT")]
+        broker = _mock_broker(positions=positions, account=_make_account())
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+        signal = _make_signal(ticker="GOOG")
+
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "_is_market_hours", return_value=True):
+            approved, reason = await rm.check_risk(signal)
+
+        assert approved is False
+        assert "max_positions" in reason
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RiskManager — max exposure exceeded
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestRiskCheckMaxExposure:
+    """Risk check fails when total exposure exceeds the limit."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_max_exposure_exceeded(self):
+        config = _make_config(max_total_exposure_pct=0.50)
+        account = _make_account(equity=100_000)
+        # Single position worth $60k = 60% of equity, limit is 50%
+        positions = [_make_position("AAPL", market_value=60_000)]
+        broker = _mock_broker(positions=positions, account=account)
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+        signal = _make_signal(ticker="MSFT")
+
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "_is_market_hours", return_value=True):
+            approved, reason = await rm.check_risk(signal)
+
+        assert approved is False
+        assert "max_exposure" in reason
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RiskManager — cooldown active
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestRiskCheckCooldown:
+    """Risk check fails when a ticker is in cooldown."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_cooldown_active(self):
+        config = _make_config(cooldown_minutes=30)
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+        # Record an exit 10 minutes ago
+        now_et = datetime.now(tz=_ET)
+        rm.record_exit("AAPL", now_et - timedelta(minutes=10))
+
+        signal = _make_signal(ticker="AAPL")
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "_is_market_hours", return_value=True):
+            approved, reason = await rm.check_risk(signal)
+
+        assert approved is False
+        assert "cooldown" in reason
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_cooldown_expired(self):
+        """After cooldown period expires the trade should be approved."""
+        config = _make_config(cooldown_minutes=30)
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+        # Record an exit 45 minutes ago
+        now_et = datetime.now(tz=_ET)
+        rm.record_exit("AAPL", now_et - timedelta(minutes=45))
+
+        signal = _make_signal(ticker="AAPL")
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "_is_market_hours", return_value=True):
+            approved, reason = await rm.check_risk(signal)
+
+        assert approved is True
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RiskManager — outside market hours
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestRiskCheckMarketHours:
+    """Risk check fails outside regular market hours."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_outside_market_hours(self):
+        config = _make_config()
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+        signal = _make_signal()
+
+        # Force market hours check to fail (no patching — use the real check
+        # with a time that is definitely outside market hours)
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "_is_market_hours", return_value=False):
+            approved, reason = await rm.check_risk(signal)
+
+        assert approved is False
+        assert "market_hours" in reason
+
+    def test_market_hours_weekday(self):
+        """A weekday at 10:00 AM ET should be within market hours."""
+        # Tuesday 10:00 AM ET
+        t = datetime(2026, 2, 24, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_ET)
+        assert RiskManager._is_market_hours(t) is True
+
+    def test_market_hours_weekend(self):
+        """Saturday should always be outside market hours."""
+        t = datetime(2026, 2, 21, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_ET)  # Saturday
+        assert RiskManager._is_market_hours(t) is False
+
+    def test_market_hours_before_open(self):
+        """8:00 AM ET on a weekday is before market open."""
+        t = datetime(2026, 2, 24, 8, 0, 0, tzinfo=_ET)  # Tuesday 8 AM
+        assert RiskManager._is_market_hours(t) is False
+
+    def test_market_hours_after_close(self):
+        """5:00 PM ET on a weekday is after market close."""
+        t = datetime(2026, 2, 24, 17, 0, 0, tzinfo=_ET)  # Tuesday 5 PM
+        assert RiskManager._is_market_hours(t) is False
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Position sizing — scales by strength
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestPositionSizingScalesByStrength:
+    """Position size should scale proportionally with signal strength."""
+
+    def test_full_strength(self):
+        config = _make_config(max_position_pct=0.05)
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+        signal = _make_signal(strength=1.0, current_price=100.0)
+        account = _make_account(equity=100_000)
+
+        qty = rm.calculate_position_size(signal, account)
+        # position_value = 100k * 0.05 * 1.0 = 5000 / 100 = 50 shares
+        assert qty == 50
+
+    def test_half_strength(self):
+        config = _make_config(max_position_pct=0.05)
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+        signal = _make_signal(strength=0.5, current_price=100.0)
+        account = _make_account(equity=100_000)
+
+        qty = rm.calculate_position_size(signal, account)
+        # position_value = 100k * 0.05 * 0.5 = 2500 / 100 = 25 shares
+        assert qty == 25
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Position sizing — respects max_position_pct
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestPositionSizingRespectsMaxPct:
+    """Position size should respect the max_position_pct cap."""
+
+    def test_respects_max_pct(self):
+        config = _make_config(max_position_pct=0.02)
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+        signal = _make_signal(strength=1.0, current_price=50.0)
+        account = _make_account(equity=100_000)
+
+        qty = rm.calculate_position_size(signal, account)
+        # position_value = 100k * 0.02 * 1.0 = 2000 / 50 = 40 shares
+        assert qty == 40
+
+    def test_zero_price_returns_zero(self):
+        config = _make_config()
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        rm = RiskManager(config, broker)
+
+        signal = _make_signal(strength=0.8, current_price=0.0)
+        account = _make_account(equity=100_000)
+
+        qty = rm.calculate_position_size(signal, account)
+        assert qty == 0
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Executor flow — approved signal
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestExecutorFlowApproved:
+    """End-to-end: approved signal -> order submitted -> trade published."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_approved_signal_flow(self):
+        config = _make_config()
+        broker = _mock_broker(positions=[], account=_make_account(100_000))
+        publisher = AsyncMock()
+        publisher.publish = AsyncMock(return_value=b"1-0")
+
+        counters = {
+            "trades_executed": MagicMock(),
+            "rejections": MagicMock(),
+            "fill_latency": MagicMock(),
+        }
+
+        signal = _make_signal(ticker="AAPL", strength=0.8, current_price=150.0)
+
+        # Patch risk check to approve
+        with patch.object(RiskManager, "check_risk", return_value=(True, "approved")):
+            await process_signal(signal, RiskManager(config, broker), broker, publisher, counters)
+
+        # Verify order was submitted
+        broker.submit_order.assert_called_once()
+        order_arg = broker.submit_order.call_args[0][0]
+        assert order_arg.ticker == "AAPL"
+        assert order_arg.side == OrderSide.BUY
+
+        # Verify trade was published
+        publisher.publish.assert_called_once()
+        counters["trades_executed"].add.assert_called_once_with(1)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Executor flow — rejected signal
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestExecutorFlowRejected:
+    """End-to-end: rejected signal -> no order, rejection logged."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_rejected_signal_flow(self):
+        config = _make_config()
+        broker = _mock_broker()
+        publisher = AsyncMock()
+
+        counters = {
+            "trades_executed": MagicMock(),
+            "rejections": MagicMock(),
+            "fill_latency": MagicMock(),
+        }
+
+        signal = _make_signal(ticker="AAPL")
+
+        with patch.object(
+            RiskManager, "check_risk", return_value=(False, "outside_market_hours")
+        ):
+            await process_signal(signal, RiskManager(config, broker), broker, publisher, counters)
+
+        # No order should have been submitted
+        broker.submit_order.assert_not_called()
+
+        # No trade should have been published
+        publisher.publish.assert_not_called()
+
+        # Rejection counter should have been incremented
+        counters["rejections"].add.assert_called_once()