Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEx) is launching a new product and is planning to extend trading hours to attract more international investors to the Hong Kong stock market.
The International Stock Futures and Options (ISFO) product, available this month, comprises 20 international futures contracts and 20 international stock options allowing SAR investors to trade heavyweight stocks listed on stock exchanges in the US, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Among them are US technology giants Microsoft, Intel and Oracle, and Japan・s DoCoMo, Sony and Fujitsu.
``With ISFO, investors will have access to futures and options based on leading stocks from Asia and the US in one convenient marketplace,・・ HKEx chief operating officer Frederick Grede said.
HKEx is also planning to extend its trading hours, reflecting the rapid globalisation of world financial markets and the growth of online trading.
HKEx chief executive Kwong Ki-chi said several key exchanges in Asia and Europe had extended their trading hours in the past 18 months and more were expected to follow.
``Extended trading hours would help us better meet the needs of the investing community. It would be consistent with HKEx・s two-pronged market development strategy to meet with needs of the traditional mass user group as well as smaller groups with specialised needs.・・
