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KRX to Launch 'After-Market' Trading Until 8 PM Starting the 14th, Challenging Nextrade
Finance · Investment Banks/Brokers · yonhap_finance · 2026-09-09
The Korea Exchange will introduce real-time after-market trading from 4 PM to 8 PM starting the 14th, setting the stage for competition with Nextrade.
What Happened
After-Market Launch: The Korea Exchange (KRX) announced that it will launch an 'After-Market' trading session from 4 PM to 8 PM starting on the 14th. This move replaces the existing after-hours single-price auction system, allowing for real-time trading after the regular market closes.
Scope and Restrictions: Most stocks on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets will be eligible for trading, though ETFs and ETNs are excluded for investor protection. To manage volatility, the KRX will implement a Volatility Interruption (VI) mechanism, and only limit orders will be permitted, prohibiting market orders.
Competitive Landscape: This initiative puts the KRX in direct competition with the alternative trading system (ATS) Nextrade (NXT) until 8 PM. Securities firms will be required to route orders to the market that offers the best execution for investors, which is expected to split trading volume between the two platforms.
Market Outlook: The KRX views this as a crucial step toward enhancing the global competitiveness of the Korean stock market. While some analysts suggest that the extended hours may not immediately lead to a massive surge in total trading volume, the exchange plans to monitor global trends and consider further phased extensions in the future.