The Hong Kong Futures Exchange (HKFE) said Hang Seng (HS) 100 Options volume rose to an all-time high of 926 contracts today on the Exchange's first day of trading on its new HKATS electronic trading system. The previous HS 100 Options volume record was 729 contracts set on 19 February of this year.

Today's total HKATS volume of 2,358 contracts was up sharply from last week's electronic trading activity, which produced average daily volume of 1,139 contracts.

All HKFE products except Hang Seng Index (HSI) Futures and Options are now trading on HKATS. HSI Futures and Options, which are currently traded in the open outcry environment, are scheduled to migrate to HKATS in the near term.

All 80 Members who had been trading on the Exchange's former electronic system joined today's HKATS trading along with six other Members who participated in electronic trading for the first time.

HKATS uses OMex 15.2 software, a newer version of the OMex 12.6 software that powered the former system.

"This is an important step toward our goal of full electronic trading," HKFE Chief Executive Randy Gilmore said. "And I want to thank all of the staff at the Exchange and our Member firms who worked so hard to make the transition a success.

"The next step will be the migration of HSI Futures from open outcry to HKATS, followed by the migration of HSI Options. We will be announcing a timetable for those moves shortly."

Mr Gilmore added: "HKATS makes the Exchange more competitive and it strengthens Hong Kong's financial infrastructure. It's part of our ongoing efforts to enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre."

The Hong Kong Futures Exchange is a leading futures and options market place in the Asia Pacific Region, with a membership of over 130 companies, including a number of major international institutions. The Exchange is actively diversifying its product base, which now includes currency, interest rate and equity-based products.

For further enquiries, please contact HKFE Corporate Communications Manager Miss Chiu Yeung on 2842 9322.