HKEX to list single stock options in March after record 2024

The Hong Kong exchange group on Friday said it plans to launch the six contracts on March 17, with expiry months available at launch in March, April, May, June, September and December this year and March next year.

The options will track the underlying stocks Midea Group, China Resources Power Holdings Company, Hua Hong Semiconductor, China Hongqiao Group, Haier Smart Home Co and New Oriental Education & Technology Group, according to an HKEX announcement.

“In 2024, HKEX’s derivatives market saw a 15% increase in average daily volume (ADV), reaching a record of 1.55 million contracts. Notably, stock options were one of the most actively traded products, with ADV hitting a record of 720,297 contracts and the addition of weekly expiries for selected contracts in November 2024,” the Hong Kong exchange group said in a statement.

HKEX traded a total of 334 million derivative lots in 2024, a third-consecutive record year for the exchange, according to FOW analysis.

HKEX’s chief executive Bonnie Chan on Thursday said geopolitics will continue to drive markets amid "encouraging revitalisation" in Hong Kong as an international financial centre, after reporting a 10% rise in 2024 profit to HK$13.05 billion (£1.32bn). Chan also pointed to HKEX’s derivatives market volume hitting a daily record of 4.26 million contracts on September 27 last year.

On Wednesday, HKEX welcomed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (HKSAR) 2025-2026 budget, suggesting the plans will “further elevate the city’s standing as a world-leading international financial centre”. The budget’s financial initiatives included a review of market structure, increasing position limits for “key” index derivatives and the promotion of virtual assets.