Electronic trading and algorithms arent just claiming jobs in the U.S. but also in the Far East.
As first reported in the South China Post, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is closing its 32-year old trading floor in October. Brokers were given notice from the exchange operator on Monday.
On an average day, less than 30 traders might be using a desk there – a fraction of the nations 500-strong broker community. Algorithms and other electronic broking means have taken over the bourse.
The hall once hosted over 900 brokers in its heyday, who ran around its vast trading floor trading with their counterparts, But its now virtually silent as trading has gone electronic.
On an average day less than 30 traders might be on the floor, out of Hong Kongs 500-strong broker community. Most other markets such as Tokyo and Singapore no longer operate halls.
HKEX plans to redevelop and rejuvenate the existing trading and exhibition hall when its current lease expires at the end of October, according to a HKEX spokeswoman.
She said the venue would be renewed as a financial showcase for promoting the Hong Kong financial market and its history.
This iconic space will be recreated for ceremonies, exhibitions, conferences and investor education.
HKEX statistics show dealing desks have declined from 294, when the current renovated trading hall re-opened in 2006, to a current 62. But average daily attendance has slipped to around 30.
HKEX has been re-assessing the need and interests in having dealing desks, and exploring the feasibility of relocating them to an office building nearby in Central, under a new lease, she added.
top 10 global stock exchanges (1997-2017*) Proceeds raised (US$b) Market share (%) Number of issues New York Hong Kong Nasdaq London Shanghai Tokyo First Section Australia Frankfurt Shenzhen Small and Medium Enterprise Madrid Source: Thomson Reuters, SCMP
But now, technology has developed so rapidly that all trading can be done via computer from brokers offices. It is reasonable the exchange has decided to change the venue for other use.
The trading hall at Exchange Square belongs to the Hong Kong government, which collected rent from HKEX, initially at HK$1 million a month when it was set up in 1985. That rose to HK$3.58 million in 2008.
The hall covers 45,000 square foot, but the introduction of electronic trading in the mid-1990s lessened its importance immediately.
The number of traders using the hall fell to around 300 in early 2000s with most brokers working on computers from their own offices. But even then, about 20 per cent of trading volume was still handled using trading hall terminals
The exchange downsized the hall in 2006 to a third of its original size, turning the spare space into a conference and event area, and a museum covering the history of the stock market.
In 2014, the last time the exchange discloses trading statistic from the hall, its volume had dropped to a negligible 0.2 per cent of total turnover.
Veteran stock broker David Tung, now 88-years-old and a broker for over 70 years, said he was also sad to see it go.
All traders gathered at the exchange to swap information in the old days, and to trade with each other. The atmosphere was so hot in those day, Tung said.
Electronic trading lacks the human touch.
