Securities Times reporter Guo Lei

It is reported that in order to further develop the derivatives market, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will add several new expiration months for stock option categories in the second quarter of this year.

According to relevant plans, from April 2, Changjiang Industry China Life Five stock option categories, including China Mobile, HSBC Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa, will be added with options for the third quarter and other months for trading. Therefore, from April 2, the maturity months of the above five stock option categories available for trading will be April, May, June, September, December 2007 and March 2008 respectively.

Ge Zhuohao, Chief Operating Officer of HKEx Group, said: "We will closely monitor the market's demand for the addition of other option categories, and may consider adding contract expiration months for more designated stock option categories to further provide investors with more options." In addition, HKEx will revise the banker's responsibilities of its stock option and stock futures markets on April 2. Ge Zhuohao said that the revision of banker's responsibility reflects the commitment of HKEx to ensure high-quality banker services.