‘HKEX set to improve and expand services’
choice in products this year, including mainland-related equity derivatives and weekly index options tied to the Hang S e n g In d e x a n d H - s h a r e s index, gold products in both Hong Kong and London and physically settled gold futures contracts denominated in USD and CNH in Hong Kong, index-linked and cash-settled iron futures, as well as RMB currency options, a USD/CNH contract, mainland Ministry of Finance T-bond futures, and more. They are also planning to expand over the counter Clearing’s services in 2017.
On market structure plans, after HKEX introduced the Closing Auction Session (CAS) and Volatility Control Me c h a n i s m f o r s e c u r i t i e s on July 25 and Aug 22 last year,respectively, they are now considering allowing regulated short-selling orders during the CAS and inclusion of more stocks in the CAS, as well as extending the trading hours and expanding the products in the After Hours Futures Trading (AHFT) session as volume of AHFT continues to grow.
Market analysts surveyed by China Daily have expressed their concerns about the uncertainties in the global economy this year including the continuing impact of Britain’s departure from the Europe Union (Brexit) and Donald Trump’s presidency.
While according to Li, Brexit won’t have a large influence on the group’s business, and the group’s L ondon Me tal Exchange enjoys a worldwide market rather than just the British one, he said the group had already changed to record business in US dollars.
The bourse operator in recent years has been expanding its asset class from cash equity to a broader range including commodities and fixed income as well as currencies, creating mutual market access channels, enhancing market microstructure and efficiency.”