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Global Trading
1. What types of investments can I trade on international markets?
For the international markets you can trade: Equities
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Unit Trust
Exchange Traded Warrants*
Exchange Traded Rights*
Exchange Traded Bonds/Notes
*Only for trading, not exercisable. To confirm availability, please contact an investment representative.
2. Are good through orders acceptable for international markets?
Only day orders are accepted for international market trades.
3. How do I place an international equity order?
Online trades can be made on the exchanges of Hong Kong, Frankfurt, London and Euronext Paris.
Trading online involves five steps:
Step 1 - Logon (invest.hsbc.ca)
Step 2 - Click on Trading
Step 3 - Select Trade Stocks
Step 4 - Fill in order details
Step 5 - Confirm authorization and submit order
Phone orders on all other international markets offered by InvestDirect can by phone through an investment representative
Phone trading involves the following four steps:
Step 1 - Contact an investment representative at 1-866-865-4722
Step 2 - Provide your account number and password
Step 3 - Explain the details of the trade you wish to execute
Step 4 - Confirm authorization and submit order
4. How do I modify, cancel, or confirm an international exchange order?
Changing, canceling, or confirming a transaction online involves four steps:
Step 1 - Logon (invest.hsbc.ca)
Step 2 - Click on Trading
Step 3 - Select Order Status
Step 4 - Change, cancel or confirm the status of an order
Changing, canceling, or confirming a phone transaction involves three steps:
Step 1 - Contact an investment representative at 1-866-865-4722
Step 2 - Provide your account number and password
Step 3 - Request that they modify, cancel, or confirm the status of an order
Please note: Fill reports may be delayed. All modifications and cancellations are subject to prior fills.
5. Will I receive a trade confirmation slip after my order is filled?
Yes. You will be mailed a trade confirmation slip each time a transaction is successfully executed.
6. Do 'special terms' apply to international equity trading?
Special terms (such as all or none, on-stop, and on-stop limit) are not available for international equity trading.
7. Can you short sell an international stock?
Short selling is not available for international trades.
8. In what quantities can you purchase stocks on the Hong Kong exchange?
Stocks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange must be bought in board lots. A board lot is a fixed number of stocks, such as 100 or 1000. The size of a board lots varies from company to company. However, board lots are of different sizes and are not dictated by price. Odd lots are currently not available. An odd lot is a quantity of shares that is less than a board lot.
The board lot size for a particular HK security can be obtained by getting a quote on the Trade Stocks page when placing an order.
9. What kind of shares can I purchase in China?
International investors can only invest in China's B shares.
Hong Kong Trading
1. What can I trade on the Hong Kong Exchange "HKEx"?
HSBC InvestDirect provides you access to buy and sell equities and warrants on the HKEx. Note: HSBC InvestDirect does not participate in Initial Public Offering (IPO) or pre-market trading; you can only place trades after a security is listed on the HKEx.
2. How many trading sessions does the HKEx have?
Unlike North American markets, HKEx closes for two hours during the middle of the day. The morning session of trading goes from 10:00am to 12:30pm (HK local time) and the afternoon session goes from 2:30pm till 4:00pm (HK local time).
3. What are the commission rates on Hong Kong trades?
The minimum online commission is HKD$288, administrative fee and levies apply as well. For our commission schedule, click here.
4. What types of trades on the HKEx do you accept?
At present, HSBC InvestDirect only accepts day orders. If a trade is not filled the same day it is requested, it will expire. If a request is made when the Hong Kong market is closed, the trade will be entered for the duration of the next day the market is open.
5. How long does it take a trade to settle on the HKEx?
Settlement is T+2 for equities and T+1 for warrants.
6. Do stocks on the HKEx have to be purchased in board lots?
Yes, stocks on the HKEx must be purchased in board lots. Odd lots are currently not available. A board lot is a fixed number of stocks, such as 100 or 1000. The size of a board lot varies from company to company. However, board lots are in different sizes and are not dictated by price.
7. Can I trade in Canadian dollars on the Hong Kong Exchange?
Trading on the HKEx is conducted in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). To help you maximize your return, HSBC InvestDirect offers competitive pricing and our multi-currency settlement feature allows you to trade and settle as well as maintain an account in HKD. Even the commissions are charged in HKD so that foreign exchange risk exposure and costs are minimized. Of course, you may also choose to place an HK order in your Canadian account. However, foreign exchange will be involved on both the buy and sell.
To open a HKD trading account, call our HSBC InvestDirect representatives at 1-866-865-4722.
8. Can I trade HKEx on margin?
In accordance with Investment Dealers Association (IDA) margin rules, for the majority of companies listed on the main board of the HKEx, the maximum loan value is 50% under the following two conditions:
- They must be held within a margin account and
- Price per share of the security is over $3.00 (Cdn equivalent)
9. Can I trade Initial Public Offering (IPO) stocks with InvestDirect?
InvestDirect does not participate in IPO's. You can place trades only after a security is listed on the HKEx.
For more information about Trading on the Hong Kong Exchange, please contact an HSBC InvestDirect Investment Representative at 1-866-865-4722.
Issued by HSBC InvestDirect, a division of HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. HSBC InvestDirect does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of any investment. Investors are responsible for their own investment decisions and should carefully evaluate their investment objectives and risk tolerance before making any investment decision. The content is not intended to provide specific tax advice and should not be relied upon in this regard. Please consult your tax advisor to find out which strategies suit your tax situation. HSBC InvestDirect makes no guarantee, representation or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability as to the tax treatment of these services. This document has been based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable but which are not independently verified. HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of, but separate entity from, HSBC Bank Canada.
1 HSBC InvestDirect is a division of HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc.
2 HSBC Premier eligibility requires you to have an active Premier chequing account and maintain a $100,000 balance in combined personal deposits and investments with HSBC Bank Canada and its subsidiaries. Monthly banking package fees may apply.
3 Available on online equity trades on North American markets. Subject to conditions. For more information on HSBC InvestDirect rates, visit www.investdirect.hsbc.ca.
4 International Equity trades made online, excluding Hong Kong, and all international trades placed on the phone qualify for the International Equities trade discount. Subject to minimum commission.
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