ASX Market Operations for Friday 5 May 2000

The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) confirms that trading was halted today between 10.19am and 12.10pm as a result of problems with the CW Optus network. The problems with the network caused a number of market participants to be unable to access SEATS. In the interests of ensuring the integrity of the market, ASX took the decision to halt trading until all market participants regained access. Markets closed today at the usual time of 4pm.

Today's market operating times were as follows: 7.00am: Pre-open,10.00am: Markets opened, 10.19am: Trading halted, 11.40am: Pre-open, 12.10m: Trading recommenced, 4.00pm: Market close.

A decision was also taken to halt options trading while trading in the primary market was halted. Following re-opening of trading in conjunction with the re-opening of primary market, normal trading hours applied.

Today's market summary: Total equities trades: 43,892; Total options contracts: 29,195; ASX All Ordinaries: 3075.6 up 49.7 points; ASX/S&P 200: 3107.2 up 53.5 points; ASX/S&P 300: 3097.3 up 52.9 points.