No rush to T+1: Hong Kong exchange won’t hurry settlement-time change, sources say

Market players support the change to keep up with global peers, but many worry the fourth quarter of 2027 would be too soon, sources say

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Published: 2:00pm, 14 Oct 2026

Participants in Hong Kong’s stock market may need to wait longer for shorter transaction settlement times, as market participants want more time to prepare for the change, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) said in a consultation paper in April that it aimed to implement a so-called T+1 system – under which trades would be settled one day after transactions – in the fourth quarter of 2027, replacing the existing T+2 cycle.

Conclusions from the consultation process would be revealed soon, but HKEX could extend the timeline after many participants said they wanted more time for training before the change, a source told the South China Morning Post.