Hong Kong to expand types of listed structured products: official

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong should expand the types of listed structured products to maintain the competitiveness as a world-leading listed structured products marketplace, the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said here Tuesday.

The FSDC released a report, setting out recommendations to optimize Hong Kong's listed structured products market. It also compared Hong Kong's listed structured products market with other global markets.

Laura Cha, chairman of the FSDC said Hong Kong's listed structured products market has historically had some of the highest trading volumes in the world. In 2015, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited had the highest level of structured products turnover globally based on average daily turnover.

"To optimize Hong Kong's listed structure products, we recommend the expansion of types of listed structured products to include some product categories that are currently available in the European markets, drawing on experience in those markets," she said.

The report recommends the diversification of available product range by including non-leveraged and "hold to maturity" type products on the exchange platform.

It also suggests a review of the HKEX's naming conventions for stock short names, procuring a shorter timeframe and streamlined process to launch a new listed structured product, and providing investor education for new structured product types.

Established in 2013, the FSDC is a high-level, cross-sectoral advisory body to engage the industry in formulating proposals to promote the further development of Hong Kong's financial services industry.