HSBC is set to be the first local lender to launch (開展) its own stock-trading platform (股票交易平台) for retail investors (散戶) - with its StockMax Crossing Service.
StockMax primarily aims (note 2) to offer buyers the best price for stocks traded on the local bourse's main board (交易所主板) and the Growth Enterprise Market. For instance, if a client (客戶) places (note 3) a bid order (買進) at HK$10.16 per share, StockMax will automatically (自動) look for (note 4) a matching order (相配的賣盤) priced at HK$10.16 or below.
If none exist, the order will be routed to (轉往) Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing as usual. "The whole process will happen in milliseconds (note 5), to make sure it does not delay (延遲) our clients' orders," HSBC business development head Eric Fu Wai-man said. But there is no turnaround option (返回的選擇權), Fu noted. That means once the order is redirected to the exchange, it cannot return to the platform even if a matching order surfaces (出現).
The system will help clients save time (省時) and make for more efficient (更有效率) trading, Fu said. No launch date for the platform has yet been announced. However, HSBC has already conducted the necessary simulation tests (note 6), Fu added. The system will be operated by the bank's brokerage arm (經紀行), which will not charge clients any extra commission or fees for its use.
All HSBC brokerage clients are eligible (有資格) to use StockMax. And those who wish to pass (不使用) may exercise an opt-out option (退出) at the bank's branches. Meanwhile, it is hard to gauge (盤算) the direction of the market amid a flood of (note 7) both good and bad news. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has given us hope this week of another round of stimulus (刺激經濟方案).
As for the political wrangling (政治角力) in Washington over increasing the US debt ceiling (外債上限), it is highly unlikely that the United States will ever be downgraded. The largest economy is bound to show growth - possibly artificial - in the runup to the presidential election in November 2012.
From good to better English:
(note 1) bid=吸收。Victor bid Ivy good-night= Victor祝Ivy晚安。 Bid farewell=告別。Bid for= 投標工程。
(note 2) aim=針對、企圖。aim at success=指望成功。aim high= 胸懷大志，有志氣。Aim(名詞)=目的，志向，宗旨。achieve one's aim=達到目的。
(note 3) place=發出指令。Place one's confidence in a friend=信賴朋友。There is no place for you=沒有容納你的餘地。Put yourself in my place=請你設身處地替我想一想。There is always a place for you at our table=請你隨時來吃便飯。
(note 4) look for=尋找。Wing Yan looks sick today= Wing Yan今天顯得有病的樣子。Victor looks very tired= Victor好像很疲倦。look after=照管。
(note 5) milliseconds=毫秒。
(note 6) simulation tests=模擬實驗。simulate death=裝死。
(note 7) a flood of=大量。a flood of anger=怒氣爆發。throw a flood of light on something=充分闡明。
Victor’s View: I am not sure whether this trading platform smacks of a mini stock exchange. If the bank can match orders, does it mean other brokers will have no transaction opportunities with the bank’s clients? The stock exchange needs to clarify its role and the bank’s trading platform.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
沒有留言:
張貼留言