Enhancements to the trading calendars of Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect take effect on Monday, which will deepen the cross-border market accessibility of the Stock Connect programs and bring more trading opportunities to investors, according to an announcement from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX).

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) approved adjustments to the trading calendar for both Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Connect, allowing Stock Connect trading on all trading days in both markets including on those which are now closed because clearing services are unavailable.

By allowing Stock Connect investors to trade on all days which both markets are open, investors will be able to better manage their risks for trading under Stock Connect.

It will also deepen cross-border market accessibility of the Stock Connect programs, enabling Hong Kong investors to enjoy wider access to Chinese mainland markets while simultaneously providing Chinese mainland investors with more opportunities to engage with Hong Kong markets, according to HKEX.

The enhancements will add up to over 10 trading days to Northbound and Southbound trading each year and will enable trading under Stock Connect on all trading days that are mutual to the Hong Kong and mainland markets, HKEX further explained.

The SFC said in a press release that the adjustments address the misalignment between Stock Connect holidays. The SFC will work closely with the CSRC and other Chinese mainland counterparts to further develop and enhance Stock Connect as well as other mutual market access schemes.

After the implementation of the enhancements, the first additional trading days of Hong Kong Stock Connect will be April 27 and April 28, and the first additional trading day of Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Connect will be May 25, according to the CSRC.

(Xinhua with edits, cover via CFP)