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Photo: Korea Exchange |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] The Korea Exchange (KRX) plans to introduce pre-market and after-hours trading starting in June, extending stock trading beyond regular hours as part of efforts to align with global exchanges moving toward near 24-hour trading.
According to the financial investment industry on Jan. 12, the KRX outlined its plan to extend trading hours in a briefing to the Financial Services Commission and shared the proposal with member firms. Under the plan, the pre-market will operate from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., while the after-hours market will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., in addition to the current regular session from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets.
If implemented, the current single-price trading system applied between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. will be abolished. Block and basket trades outside regular hours will also see extended time windows both before and after the main session.
The exchange aims to finalize regulatory revisions through consultations with financial authorities by June and complete market preparations by June 29.
The move is widely seen as part of broader efforts to attract foreign investors, especially as South Korea plans to launch a 24-hour onshore FX market from July. Opening trading as early as 7 a.m. is also expected to capture demand during commuting hours and enhance profitability for the exchange.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
