HKEx sets probe on website disruption

Disruption led to suspension of shares trading on Wednesday afternoon after the prevented public access to its interim results announcement.

Acting Chief Executive Henry Tang has asked Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing to investigate the cause of Wednesday's HKExnews website disruption.

Mr Tang said he has spoken to HKEx Chairman Ronald Arculli on the technical issue.

“[Mr Arculli] said their technical staff were trying to recover the system as soon as possible. I urged him to look into the reasons behind the issue to prevent future occurrence,” Mr Tang said, adding HKEx has submitted an initial report to the Securities & Futures Commission.

HKEx set up a temporary online bulletin board for issuers’ announcements after the technical disruption.

Trading in HKEx shares was suspended at 1.30pm on Wednesday after the disruption prevented public access to its interim results announcement.

HKEx’s other systems are not affected, and trading in its securities and derivatives markets continues to operate normally.

It has adopted a half-day, or one trading session, suspension policy for issuers who announced price-sensitive information during the lunch publication window on Wednesday. This will give all investors sufficient time to understand the contingency arrangements and locate issuers’ announcements on their websites.