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KRX Launches 'After-Market' Trading Until 8 PM to Boost Evening Market Competition
Commercial Services · Financial Publishing/Services · yonhap_finance · 2026-09-10
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The Korea Exchange will introduce real-time after-market trading from 4 PM to 8 PM starting the 14th, intensifying competition with alternative exchange Nextrade.
What Happened
After-Market Launch: The Korea Exchange (KRX) is set to launch an after-market trading session from 4 PM to 8 PM starting on the 14th. This move replaces the existing single-price after-hours trading with a real-time continuous matching system, aiming to improve investor accessibility.
Expanded Trading Options: Investors will gain access to a significantly wider range of KOSPI and KOSDAQ-listed stocks during evening hours. While most stocks are included, ETFs, ETNs, and market-price orders are excluded to mitigate potential volatility risks.
Intensified Market Competition: The launch marks a direct challenge to Nextrade, the alternative trading system that has dominated evening trading. The two exchanges are expected to compete fiercely on factors such as commission fees, available stock lists, and overall trading infrastructure.
Market Outlook: Analysts suggest that extending trading hours will help incorporate domestic and international news into stock prices more efficiently. However, some industry experts remain cautious, noting that institutional participation in after-market sessions remains limited and overall trading volume may not see an immediate, dramatic surge.