The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) in Taiwan has clarified that extending stock market trading hours is not currently a priority for the regulatory body, with no set timeline for such a change. FSC Chairman Peng Jin-lung emphasized that any decision to extend trading beyond the existing schedule of 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. would necessitate widespread agreement among the public and industry stakeholders.
The topic of extending trading hours has been under consideration by the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), which is exploring the possibility of prolonging trading until 3:30 p.m. This adjustment aims to better align Taiwan’s stock market with international counterparts and potentially boost market activity. However, discussions with brokerage firms are still in progress as part of this evaluation.
In a separate announcement, the TWSE revealed plans to adjust the timing of odd-lot trading. Beginning at the end of this year, odd-lot trading will commence at 9:00 a.m., moving from its current start time of 9:10 a.m. In addition, the exchange intends to enhance trading efficiency and market liquidity by reducing the order matching interval for odd-lot trades from five seconds to one second, starting next year.
These proposed changes reflect ongoing efforts to optimize Taiwan’s stock market operations, even as the broader consideration of extended trading hours remains on the table. The focus on enhancing odd-lot trading indicates a commitment to improving market dynamics, while the potential shift in regular trading hours awaits broader consensus.