The Australian Stock Exchange Limited (ASX) operates Australia's national stock exchange for stocks / equities, derivatives and fixed interest securities such as bonds. The exchange also provides comprehensive market information and trading data to a wide range of traders, brokers and commissions.
History of the Australian Stock Exchange
The history of the Australian Stock Exchange starts with the six capital city exchanges that were established in Adelaide (1887), Brisbane (1884), Melbourne (1884), Hobart (1882), Perth (1889) and Sydney (1871). In fact, several smaller provincial exchanges were established to cater to the needs of the large number of mining companies that existed at the turn of the 20th Century.
From 1903 until 1937, these state stock exchanges began meeting on an informal basis. By 1936, Sydney had taken the lead in formalizing the association and in 1937 the Australian Associated Stock Exchanges (AASE) was established. The formation of the AASE laid the ground rules for listing of companies, brokerage and the operating rules of the stockbrokers and their firms.
On April 1, 1987 the Australian Parliament passed legislation forming the Australian Stock Exchange Limited (ASX). Forming a national stock exchange formally brought together the six independent stock exchanges operating in the capital cities.
Australian Stock Exchange Facts and Figures
Approximately 2,100 companies are traded on the ASX with an average trading value of $31,100 AUD and an average price per share of around $3.35. These same companies had a combined market capitalization of $1.6 trillion (AUD) as of December 2007.
The five most actively traded companies on the ASX include Quantas, Sherlock, Regis, Telstracor, and Redport. The S&P/ASX 200 index is recognized as the benchmark for the Australian equity market. The S&P/ASX 200 is comprised of the S&P/ASX 100 plus an additional 100 stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 index also forms the basis for the ASX Mini200 futures contract.
ASX Holiday Schedule
The ASX observes a total of eleven holidays - most of which the exchange is either closed or closes early for the day. The following table includes the most recent calendar of holidays for the Australian Stock exchange.
Australian Stock Exchange Holidays 2007
2007 Holiday
Date
States
Trading Day
New Year's Day
January 1, 2007
All States
Closed
Australia Day
January 26, 2007
All States
Closed
Easter Thursday
April 5, 2007
All States
Close Early
Good Friday
April 6, 2007
All States
Closed
Easter Monday
April 9, 2007
All States
Closed
ANZAC Day Holiday
April 25, 2007
All States
Closed
Queen's Birthday
June 11, 2007
All States except WA
Closed
Business Day before Christmas Eve
December 24, 2007
All States
Close Early
Christmas Day
December 25, 2007
All States
Closed
Boxing Day
December 26, 2007
All States
Closed
Last Business Day of the Year
December 31, 2007
All States
Close Early
Note: Close Early =
Normal trading ceases at
Sydney time.
Australian Stock Exchange Holidays 2008
2008 Holiday
Date
States
Trading Day
New Year's Day
January 1, 2008
All States
Closed
Australia Day
January 28, 2008
All States
Closed
Easter Thursday
March 20, 2008
All States
Close Early
Good Friday
March 21, 2008
All States
Closed
Easter Monday
March 24, 2008
All States
Closed
ANZAC Day Holiday
April 25, 2008
All States
Closed
Queen's Birthday
June 9, 2008
All States except WA
Closed
Business Day before Christmas Eve
December 24, 2008
All States
Close Early
Christmas Day
December 25, 2008
All States
Closed
Boxing Day
December 26, 2008
All States
Closed
Last Business Day of the Year
December 31, 2008
All States
Close Early
Note: Close Early =
Normal trading ceases at
Sydney time.
ASX Market Phases / Trading Hours
The Australian Stock Exchange goes through a number of phases on any given trading day. The particular market phase determines the type of action that may be taken for an order, which in turn affects how trading is conducted on that day.
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