PSE trades until 1 p.m. starting on Oct. 3

Trading hours of the Philippine Stock Exchange will last up to 1 p.m. starting Monday as the bourse implements the first of two phases of a move to ‘align the PSE with its peers in the region." The PSE board of directors approved the new trading hours last July 13. PSE President Hans Sicat said back then that they “are cognizant of the benefits of extended trading, and we are also well aware of the challenges that it provides." The old sessions used to run continuously from 9:30 am to 12:10 pm daily. “Afternoon trading is also expected to boost liquidity as it enhances the ability of investors to react to developments in other markets in a different time zone," Sicat said. He added that the extended session is part of a package of “initiatives we have put in place prior to this move such as a new trading system, introduction of new products to boost volume, regulatory approvals, and more listings and follow-ons, we will be able to enhance investor interest in the stock market." Implementation of the second phase may be by January next year and there will be an afternoon trading session from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — ELR, GMA News