Will HKD-traded securities and RMB-traded securities be transferable ?Transferability between the HKD-traded and RMB-traded securities (from one counter to another counter without change in legal ownership) will help to ensure the efficiency of arbitrage and thereby maintain the prices of the two counters in the secondary market within a reasonable gap. Therefore, we favour allowing transferability between the two counters.
How will the market cap of the issuer be calculated ?At the initial launch of the Dual Tranche, Dual Counter model or Dual Counter (“DC”) model, HKEX will calculate the market capitalization of a listed company or ETF which has both RMB-traded securities and HKD-traded securities by multiplying the total number of issued shares/units (including both counters) with the price of the HKD counter. HKEX will continuously review this calculation method, taking into account the development of market practice for the DTDC/ DC model, relative liquidity of the dual counters and market feedback.
Note – This is not applicable for TraHK RMB Dual Counter model.
Will dividends be paid in HKD or RMB ?Any dividend policy (and for that matter other corporate actions) will have to be consistent with the fact that the securities of the two counters are the same class of securities. Subject to the above and insofar as dividend payment is concerned, the issuer may offer an option to all the holders of the securities to elect to take a dividend in the currency in which the dividend is declared or in an alternative currency or currencies, and set a different default currency for the respective counters in the absence of an election by the holders of the securities. In the cases in which the issuer offers to pay a dividend in RMB (as an option), it will have to consider its access to RMB for dividend payment and its obligation in that respect in relation to the availability of RMB. There should be adequate disclosure in relation to dividend payment and currency options (if any) in the prospectus.
How are "inter-counter" day trades settled?As always, Participants should ensure they have sufficient securities available to fulfill their CNS short positions on T+2. For "inter-counter" day trades, if a Participant relies on securities received from a long position in one counter to settle its short position in another counter, CCASS Participants should submit a "Multi-counter Transfer Instruction" to HKSCC through CCASS Terminals before 3:45 p.m. In case the securities received from the long position are subject to the on-hold mechanism, Participants should effect cash prepayment to release the CNS allocated securities before effecting the inter-counter transfer. All activities related to "Multi-counter Transfer Instructions" are recorded in a CCASS report which is available to Participants for reconciliation purpose.
Will buy-in exemptions be granted for the settlement of "inter-counter" day trade?Buy-in exemption will be considered for applications that satisfied the defined conditions. Where the Participant has an unsettled short position in one counter and has sufficient shares/units and/or long position in the other counter, following transfer of which are sufficient to settle the relevant short position on T+2, Participant can submit an “Application Form for Exemption of Buy-in” to HKSCC not later than 8:00 p.m. on T+2. Participant is required to provide HKSCC a copy of the relevant CCASS report evidencing the shares/units and/or long position are available to cover the relevant short position on T+2; evidence that the Participant has submitted a Multi-counter Transfer Instruction which is either cancelled by the system after the batch transfer run and/or a system message is returned as there are insufficient stock balance upon input of Multi-counter Transfer Instruction after the batch transfer run; and effected cash prepayment, if applicable.
For an investor who holds physical certificates, how are securities transferred from one counter to the other at the Share Registrar and how long does that take?The investor should take the physical certificates (registered in investor's name) to the relevant share registrar to request shares be transferred from the original counter to the other counter. The whole transfer process may take place overnight or up to 2 weeks depending on the required service level of the investor.
Special Note for TraHK Multi Counter Eligible Securities (2800.HK and 82800.HK) - Investor should note that no physical certificates in respect of the RMB traded Units will be issued as the RMB Counter is offered for secondary market trading and settlement purposes only. There will be no change in company’s issued capital and register of members (ROM). Accordingly, no physical deposit or withdrawal service will be provided for the RMB traded Units and any CCASS Rules relating to physical deposit and withdrawal of securities will not be applicable. Thus, it is not applicable to transfer securities from one counter to another at the Share Registrar. Investor should refer to issuer’s prospectus or listing documents for more information.
Can physical certificates of one counter be deposited into CCASS as shareholdings of its opposite counter?No, CPs can only deposit physical certificates of one counter into CCASS as holdings of the same counter. In case CPs wish to utilise such shareholdings under the opposite counter, after depositing the share certificates into CCASS, CPs should effect a Multi-counter Transfer Instruction to transfer the shareholdings from one counter into the opposite counter.
Special Note for TraHK Multi Counter Eligible Securities (2800.HK and 82800.HK) - Investor should note that no physical certificates in respect of the RMB traded Units will be issued as the RMB Counter is offered for secondary market trading and settlement purposes only. Accordingly, no physical deposit or withdrawal service will be provided for the RMB traded Units and any CCASS Rules relating to physical deposit and withdrawal of securities will not be applicable. CCASS Participants will be able to effect inter-counter transfer of the Units between the HKD Counter and the RMB Counter on a one to one basis within CCASS by either inputting a "Multi-counter Transfer Instruction.
Payment of dividends in HKD/RMB and guidance to ManagersDividends of a Dual Counter HKD-denominated ETF are declared in HKD and may be paid in HKD only or, where so offered by the ETF manager, in RMB as well as HKD depending on an investor’s election. Where an investor does not have an RMB account, the investor may have to bear the fees and charges associated with the conversion of any dividend in RMB into HKD or any other currency.
Any dividend policy (and for that matter other corporate actions) will have to be consistent with the fact that units traded on the two counters are of the same class and unitholders of both counters must be treated equally.
If an ETF manager chooses to set a different default currency for dividend payment (i.e. pay dividend in RMB for RMB counter and HKD for HKD counter in the absence of an election by the unitholders), the ETF manager must offer an election to investors in both counters to choose the currency in which they would like to receive the dividend. This means that both investors in RMB counter and HKD counter can elect to receive dividend in RMB or HKD. There should be adequate disclosure in relation to dividend payment and currency options (if any) in the prospectus. Investors should refer to the prospectus in relation to details of dividend payment and if in doubt, consult the ETF manager or your brokers.
How can investors distinguish between the two counters of securities traded in HKD and RMB? Will there be any identification in their stock codes and stock short names? (updated on 11 October 2012)
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An investor can distinguish between the two trading counters of a Dual Counter ETF by their stock codes and their stock short names.
Separate and unique stock codes will be assigned to the HKD and RMB counters respectively. The last four digits of the stock codes for the two counters will be the same, while the stock code for RMB counter will be a 5-digit number starting with an “8”, in line with the existing allocation arrangement.
- HKD counter - XXXX
- RMB counter - 8XXXX
The stock short names for the two counters will also be different. For the RMB counter, the stock short name will end with -R to indicate that the ETF is traded in RMB. There will be no specific marking in the stock short name of the HKD counter.
The following is an illustrative example of the stock short names:
- HKD counter – “XYZ ETF”
- RMB counter – “XYZ ETF-R”
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Will the two counters have a single International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) or two separate ISINs?The ISO 6166 standard - ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) -uniquely identifies a security. It is a 12-character alpha-numerical code that does not contain information characterizing financial instruments but serves for uniform identification of a security at trading and settlement.
ISINs are issued by the identified, responsible National Numbering Agency based upon a set of guidelines that have been established amongst all National Numbering Agencies. The Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) has updated its ISIN Guidelines document to reflect this principle.
According to the assessment and agreement made with ANNA and similar to the local code arrangement, two separate and unique ISINs shall be assigned to the RMB counter and HKD counter respectively, to allow for clear identification between the two counters in the post-trade settlement and position management.
Do brokers need to enhance their systems or processes to support the dual counter trading model?Single-counter trading
There are no additional requirements to brokers for trading within the HKD counter. For trading within the RMB counter, brokers must ensure their own readiness for trading and settlement of RMB securities.
Inter-counter trading
Brokers should review and ensure that their front and back office systems as well as operations are ready to support such client trading activities.
Broker may consider if there is a need to automate their systems such that inter-counter selling as well as transfer of securities between the two counters can be done automatically.
In any case, if brokers' systems cannot handle automatic inter-counter trading and transfer, brokers should have a set of guidelines advising their clients how inter-counter trading could be processed manually and clearly communicate to their clients how these trading activities could be supported and if any additional charges are imposed.
While from a regulatory standpoint, an investor may buy from one counter and sell the same on the other counter in the same day, he/she should bear in mind that:
o Such inter-counter day trades might lead to settlement failure of the sale trades at the CCASS on T+2 if the stocks of the buy trades are only delivered by CCASS at the last settlement run on T+2, leaving not enough time to transfer the stocks to the other counter to settle the sales trades on the same day. Although under the circumstances and provided that the concernedCCASS Participants ("CP") could provide necessary documentary evidence to HKSCC, HKSCC may grant T+3 buy-in exemption, the investors may still be subject to other handling fees imposed by his/her brokers, and the consideration of the sale trades may not be available to the investor from his/her broker until T+3 or even later;
o Some EPs and CPs may not provide inter-counter day trade services initially due to various reasons including operation, system limitations, associated settlement risks (as noted above) and other business consideration.
Therefore, an investor who wishes to conduct inter-counter day trades should consult his/her broker and fully understand the services that his/her broker may provide in this regard and the associated risks and fees.
What currency/currencies will investors/brokers use to pay for RMB IPOs and trades?For RMB IPOs, investors and brokers will be able to pay the levies and other costs (such as commission) in RMB or HKD. For secondary market trading in RMB-traded securities, brokers will have to pay SFC transaction levy, AFRC transaction levy as well as other exchange and clearing fees in HKD. For stamp duty, HKEX's understanding is that the current legislation requires the stamp duty for securities transactions, including transactions in RMB-traded securities, to be paid in HKD.
Is 'Standing Intra Day Payment Instruction' service available?CCASS Participants can select to set up a Standing Intra Day Payment Instruction through CCASS Terminals to receive refund of any excess cash prepayment and/or receive their CNS money obligations due from HKSCC before the generation of Intra Day Payment instructions by CHATS, which is at around 2:30 pm on each business day.
What is the settlement arrangement if the RMB bank account has yet to set up?Where a Clearing Participant is in the process of opening a RMB bank account for CCASS money settlement purposes, HKSCC will make payment to the Clearing Participant by paper cheque or other means considered appropriate by HKSCC. For delivering Clearing Participants, payment will be made on the business day following the date of settlement. For receiving Clearing Participants, payment must be made directly into HKSCC’s designated RMB bank account before 5:45 pm on the date of settlement.
Can CCASS Participants set up a 'Standing Intra Day Payment Instruction' in RMB?CCASS Participants can select to set up a Standing Intra Day Payment Instruction through CCASS terminals to receive Corporate Actions related payment (CA payment) before the generation of Intra Day Payment instruction by CHATS, which is at around 2:30 pm on each business day. CCASS Participants which do not opt to receive intra-day CA payments will continue to receive such payments via DCI at day-end.
Is the current fee schedule also applicable to RMB items?Similar to the money settlement arrangement for HKD and USD transactions, there will also be a money settlement fee for RMB denominated transactions. Other than that, the existing tariffs stated in Section 21 and 22 of the CCASS Operational Procedures still apply.
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Similar to the money settlement arrangement for HKD and USD transactions, there will also be a money settlement fee for RMB denominated transactions. Other than that, the existing tariffs stated in Section 21 and 22 of the CCASS Operational Procedures still apply.
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Similar to the money settlement arrangement for HKD and USD transactions, there will also be a money settlement fee for RMB denominated transactions. Other than that, the existing tariffs stated in Section 21 and 22 of the CCASS Operational Procedures still apply.
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Why do CCASS Participants need to set up a designated bank account for RMB and what are the advantages? Will there be any issues if a CCASS Participant does not set up a designated bank account at this moment?CCASS Participants are required to set up a designated bank account for RMB if they are going to process CCASS transactions denominated in RMB electronically (e.g. receiving dividend payments in RMB if offered by issuers). Otherwise, HKSCC can only arrange for money settlement of RMB denominated transactions via cheque payment or such other means as considered appropriate by HKSCC. Therefore, Participants are strongly advised to set up the RMB bank accounts as soon as possible to avoid delay in providing RMB services to their clients.
A Participant can choose to set up a designated bank account for RMB later when it needs to process CCASS money transactions denominated in RMB. However, Participants should note that lead time is involved in setting up a designated bank account for RMB. They will not be able to handle money settlement of RMB denominated transactions electronically if they do not have a designated bank account for RMB. Therefore, CCASS Participants are strongly advised to set up a designated bank account for RMB as soon as possible to avoid delay in providing RMB services to their clients.
Are there any charges for setting up the designated bank account for RMB? How long does it take?HKSCC does not charge any fees for setting up CCASS money settlement service in RMB. However, CCASS Participants have to contact their Designated Banks to find out the costs, time and procedures required to set up a RMB bank account. CCASS Participants are also required to submit a “Renminbi Direct Debit Authorisation Form” to HKSCC.
It normally takes about three weeks for HKSCC to complete the set-up process depending on when HKSCC receives confirmation from the Participant’s Designated Bank for RMB transactions and HKSCC’s RMB Agent Bank.
Which form should CCASS Participants submit to HKSCC to set up the account and from where can CCASS Participants download the form?
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CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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Investor Participants have to submit: (1) ''Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/prod/clr/sec_clrsett/ipacctsvc/formsdownload.htm and Forms Download in the CCASS Internet System. However, Individual Investor Participants should note that only Hong Kong residents can open RMB bank accounts in Hong Kong for the time being. |
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CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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| (a) |
CCASS Participants other than Investor Participants are required to submit two forms for RMB money settlement service in CCASS: (1) ''Non-Investor Participant Setting Up of Renminbi Designated Bank Account Form'' and (2) ''Non-Investor Participant Renminbi Debit Authorisations and Authorisation to Disclose Information Form'' (DDA). These forms are available at: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/market/clr/secclr/forms_hkscc/Formshksccpart.htm.
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What are the CCASS admission criteria for Designated Banks for RMB?
Existing CCASS Designated Banks for HKD/USD should complete and return the ''Undertaking(s) for Renminbi'' together with a certified true copy of the board resolution authorising the execution of the Undertaking(s) and Questionnaire to HKSCC. In addition, a testing between HKICL and the Designated Bank is required if the Designated Bank selects to receive the RMB reports from HKICL in electronic file/tape form. HKICL issued a circular to its member banks on 12 August 2010 about the interface test arrangement. For details, please contact HKICL.
If a bank is not yet a CCASS Designated Bank, it should contact HKEx’s Cash Market – Participant Services (CM-PS) team and submit the prescribed application form. Banks which are interested in providing RMB money settlement service are also required to execute the Undertaking as mentioned in the above paragraph and do interface testing to receive the RMB reports from HKICL in electronic file/tape form. It may take four weeks to complete the application process. For details, please refer to Section 14.2.3 of the CCASS Operational Procedures or call CM-PS at 2840-3626.
Can OTP-C support trading of RMB products? The Orion Trading Platform – Securities Market (OTP-C) is a multi-currency system which is capable of supporting transactions in RMB products (with currency code 'CNY’ in OTP-C) in a manner similar to that applicable to products denominated in HKD and USD.
How to calculate the stamp duty payable for transactions denominated in RMB?As confirmed by Inland Revenue Department, the foreign currency denominated consideration of a transaction should be converted into HK dollar before applying the stamp duty rate. The stamp duty derived therefrom should then be rounded up to the nearest HK$1.
Example: a transaction of RMB10,000
Consideration =HK$11,710 (RMB10,000 @ exchange rate of 1.171)
Stamp duty @0.1% =HK$11.71
Stamp duty payable =HK$12.00 (rounded up to the nearest HK$1)
What are Renminbi (RMB) currency futures? What are their characteristics?
RMB currency futures are futures contracts based on the exchange rates between RMB and other currencies. HKEX’s first RMB currency futures contract is based on the currency pair USD/CNH. CNH refers to the RMB circulated in Hong Kong. They are the first exchange-traded currency futures settled in RMB.
HKEX's RMB currency futures contract is designed to provide a way for investors to hedge RMB exposure. It requires delivery of USD by the seller and payment of the Final Settlement Value in RMB by the buyer at maturity. Contract is quoted in RMB per USD and margined in RMB, with the trading and settlement fees charged in RMB. The final settlement price of the contract is based on the spot USD/CNY(HK) fixing published by the Treasury Markets Association (TMA) at 11:15 am on the Last Trading Day. The Last Trading Day is two business days prior to the Final Settlement Day, which is the third Wednesday of the Contract Month.
What is TSF?
In addition to other channels (such as licensed banks and brokers) where Renminbi (RMB) can be exchanged or sourced, the RMB Equity Trading Support Facility, or Trading Support Facility (TSF), is designed to serve as a back-up facility to enable investors who wish to buy RMB-traded shares (“RMB shares”) in the secondary market in Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) if they do not have sufficient RMB or have difficulty in obtaining RMB from other channels.