Investors should be aware that standards for Active Quotes described in the Industry Principles[1] are intended to apply to normal market conditions. Provision of Active Quotes may be affected where there are abnormal or exceptional market conditions.
Quotes provided by liquidity providers necessarily reflect the liquidity of the underlying securities or indices at any given time. If the liquidity of the underlying is impaired by conditions surrounding a VCM event, or by the VCM itself, the liquidity of the warrant or CBBC may be adversely affected in terms of quote size and spread relative to more normal market conditions.
During the 5-minute cooling off period after triggering of the VCM, where issuers’ hedging ability is materially affected due to the uncertainty in the underlying securities or index, it is possible that the minimum service level for Active Quotes will not be fulfilled, such as no bid-ask quotations, widening of bid-ask spread and reduction in quote size.
Similarly, after the 5-minute cooling off period, liquidity provision may still be affected if issuers continue to experience hedging difficulties. Under such circumstances, Liquidity Providers may not fulfil the minimum service level for Active Quotes as described in the Industry Principles.
However, issuers will use best efforts to meet quote request requirements.