Bursa Malaysia: Market Integrity Intact, Circuit Breaker Working As Designed

Trading on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad and on FKLI, OKLI and SSF derivatives products on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad was halted today at 2:58pm. Trading will resume for both markets at 3:58pm. The Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia would like to assure the public that market integrity remains intact, in spite of the activation of a market-wide circuit breaker today.

The trading halt is a temporary measure designed to maintain market stability and provide an opportunity for market participants to assess new information before making investment decisions.

The circuit breaker, which was implemented by Bursa Malaysia in March 2002, was designed to trigger automatically when the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) records a 10% decline from the previous day’s closing level. It was activated today because the index had fallen 130.01 points, or 10% from the previous close of 1,296.33 points.

The activation of the circuit breaker has not impeded the resilience of the market. Clearing and settlement, and depository operations continue to work as normal, and all trades and due for delivery and payment today will be honoured.

The SC and Bursa Malaysia are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Further information about the circuit breaker, including a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions.