Stock Trading Hours Extension Shelved: FSC Chairperson Peng Confirms 'No Implementation, No Timeline'

The potential extension of Taiwan's stock market trading hours has recently sparked heated debate. Today (8th), during a questioning session at the Legislative Yuan's Finance Committee, Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairperson Peng Jin-long gave a clear answer, emphasizing that the proposal is 'not being implemented for now' and that there is 'no timeline' for implementation. He stressed that the FSC will not proceed without first achieving societal consensus.

Taiwan's stock market has seen a super bullish trend this year, ranking fifth globally in market capitalization, with trading volumes surging rapidly. Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) Chairman Lin Xiu-ming recently pointed out that Taiwan's daily trading hours are shorter compared to neighboring Asian markets like Japan and South Korea. As a result, the TWSE has been studying a proposal to extend the closing time from the current 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM, adding one to one and a half hours.

However, this proposal has triggered immediate backlash from various market participants. Despite the FSC having already issued a clarification statement, Kuomintang legislator Lai Shih-pao continued to press the issue today. Chairman Lin first took the podium to clarify, emphasizing that the proposal is 'still in the study phase.' Subsequently, Peng Jin-long took a firm stance, stating, 'Extending trading hours is a major institutional reform with wide-ranging impacts, affecting the securities industry, investors, and financial professionals. Taiwan's market has diverse participants with highly divergent opinions. The FSC will not push forward without first reaching societal consensus.'

Lai further asked whether the FSC could direct the TWSE to complete its study and deliver a conclusion within three months. Peng responded, 'This is not a current priority. The TWSE's current priority list does not include this matter.'

Lai then asked again whether this means the FSC's current position is 'not implementing for now' and 'no timeline.' Peng gave a clear affirmative: 'Yes, that's correct.'