Are HSBC shares set for a turnover bump owing to Hong Kong’s board-lot reform?

The minimum investment of nearly US$8,000 for one of Hongkongers’ favourite stocks is set to drop. The question is how low it will go Brokers expect HSBC Holdings, a staple in the portfolios of Hongkongers, to see a large increase in interest from both local and international investors, as the stock’s minimum trading unit is set to change as part of the stock exchange’s board-lot reform process. Investors have long sought the change for the stock – known as a “widow and orphan” stock, as it pays a high dividend while bearing low risk – because its 400-share lot put it out of reach for many. At that level, retail investors had to spend at least HK$61,600 (US$7,887) to buy HSBC, based on its closing price of HK$154 on Friday. Now, under board lot reform recently introduced by bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), the biggest lender in Hong Kong and Europe is preparing to change its board lot size for the first time in decades.

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