The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is delaying the introduction of continuous all-day trading following “consultation with market participants”.
The exchange had planned to introduce all-day trading to its securities market – eliminating the current 90-minute lunch break – on 1 March but has now pushed the change back to an unspecified date in the second quarter.
The alteration is also subject to regulatory approval.
Currently, the SGX securities market opens at 9.00 and closes at 17.00 with a 90-minute lunch break starting 12.30. The exchange says the introduction of continuous all-day trading is intended to bring the venue into line with other international markets.
Other venues in the region such as the Australian Securities Exchange and India's National Stock Exchange already operate continuous all-day trading, while Japan's Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing have also both recently announced their intention to reduce their lunch breaks.