Asean Link Adds FTSE Analytics, Set to Begin Trading in June

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional group of exchanges has announced that its cross-exchange trading link will begin operations this summer as per their revised schedule announced last year, with Bursa Malaysia and Singapore's SGX initially connected in June, and the Stock Exchange of Thailand added in August to complete the project's first stage.

"Through the trading link, investors in [these nations] will enjoy a new ease of access to a wider investment selection as well as the ability to tap the region's growth opportunities. The three exchanges that will participate in the first stage of the Asean Trading Link represent approximately two-thirds of the $2.1 trillion market capitalization of the seven members of the Asean Exchanges," says SGX chairman Magnus Bocker.

The group also announced that the trading link, which will utilize SunGard's Valdi trading system and network infrastructure, will be enhanced by market data and analytics from index provider FTSE under a newly formalized agreement.

"Asean is an exciting capital market and investors need to be able to make informed decisions in a timely manner. The range of Asean analytics from FTSE will further enable more informed decisions about Asean investments which will help drive greater liquidity into our markets," says Bocker, adding that the regional group is exploring further similar partnerships to bolster the project.