- HKEX’s derivatives After-Hours Trading (AHT) session to close at 4:15 am from March 2027, extending from the current 3:00 am
- Further extension to 5:15 am in November 2027 may be considered, subject to market development after the extension
- Market participants encouraged to assess their readiness and prepare necessary systems, operations and vendor arrangements
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to announce today (Monday) it will extend its derivatives After-Hours Trading (AHT) session from March 2027, subject to regulatory approval and market readiness.
The initiative, which will extend the AHT session’s closing time from 3:00 am to 4:15 am, will provide market participants with greater flexibility to manage risk and respond to global market developments outside Hong Kong trading hours, enhancing market accessibility for global investors.
HKEX Chief Operating Officer, Vanessa Lau, said: “Global markets are increasingly interconnected, and investors need the flexibility to manage risk as developments unfold across time zones. Extending our derivatives After-Hours Trading session will give market participants more flexibility to manage their exposures amid increasingly dynamic global markets, whilst at the same time strengthening Hong Kong’s role as an international risk management centre. This initiative, together with our pilot project to enable digital payment solution for AHT, reflects HKEX’s continued commitment to enhancing market accessibility, connectivity and operational resilience.”
To support a longer AHT session, corresponding adjustments will be made to certain post trade service windows and risk management procedures. Other existing trading and operational arrangements in the derivatives market, including day session trading hours and holiday trading, will remain unchanged.
HKEX may consider a further extension of AHT to 5:15 am in November 2027, subject to market development after the extension.
Alongside the planned AHT extension, HKEX is working with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on a pilot project exploring the use of e-HKD to support advance margin deposit outside regular banking hours and provide market participants with greater payment flexibility for AHT session.
The further implementation of this initiative will be announced separately in due course.
Market participants are encouraged to assess the potential impact of the planned AHT extension on their systems, operations and vendor arrangements, and undertake the necessary resource planning and preparation for launch. Further details of the implementation and readiness arrangements will be announced in due course.
Since the introduction of the AHT session in 2013, HKEX has continuously expanded product coverage and progressively extended trading hours to meet growing investor demand. Currently, most of the HKEX-listed equity index, commodities and currency derivatives are available for trading during AHT session.
More information is available in the Hong Kong Futures Exchange Limited (HKFE) circular and HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited (HKCC) circular published on the HKEX website.
About HKEX
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is a publicly-traded company (HKEX Stock Code: 388) and one of the world’s leading global exchange groups, offering a range of equity, derivative, commodity, fixed income and other financial markets, products and services, including the London Metal Exchange.
As a superconnector and gateway between East and West, HKEX facilitates the two-way flow of capital, ideas and dialogue between China and the rest of the world, through its pioneering Connect schemes, increasingly diversified product ecosystem and its deep, liquid and international markets.
HKEX is a purpose-led organisation which, across its business and through the work of HKEX Foundation, seeks to connect, promote and progress its markets and the communities it supports for the prosperity of all.
www.hkexgroup.com
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