- Cheow Xin Yi

SHORTER trading halts and prompt disclosures of information relating to
employee share options are some of the key changes in listing rules
announced by Singapore Exchange (SGX) yesterday, in its bid to improve
market efficiency and transparency.

The revisions, following a public consultation in May, will take effect
from Dec 3.

Said Ms Yeo Lian Sim, SGX’s senior executive vice-president and head of
risk management and regulation: “These listing rule changes will not only
improve market efficiency and shorten trading halts, it will also add
clarity and promote accountability of listed companies.”

SGX said it would be shortening trading halts to a minimum 30 minutes,
instead of the current 60 minutes, to “minimise market disruption”, citing
“increasing familiarity with market practices and wider availability of
information”.

But Mr David Gerald, president of the Securities Investors Association of
Singapore, said the shorter minimum trading halt would make it harder for
retail investors to make informed decisions.

They would have to monitor the information more carefully, he added.

On employee stock options, SGX wants issuers to announce promptly each
grant of options as well as other information such as the date of grant,
the exercise price and the number of options granted to directors,
controlling shareholders and associates.