What Hong Kong should do to prepare for 24-hour market trading

Longer trading hours may become a global trend as more market operators embrace the idea in the coming months, as the London and Hong Kong exchanges attempt to gain first-mover advantage.

The London Stock Exchange Group is reported to be studying the merits of 24-hour trading, while Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) is preparing a new trading system that can support round-the-clock trading in financial derivatives. The cryptocurrency market has achieved that.

Here is some background and likely steps for Hong Kong to become a financial market that never sleeps.

Are there any stock markets that trade 24 hours a day?

No. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is open for trading for 14 hours from 8am to 10pm. CBOE Global Markets, the world’s biggest options trading market, operates 24 hours a day, five days a week. Hong Kong’s stock market runs for 5½ hours per day, while investors can trade derivatives for 15½ hours.

What needs to be done to get there?