The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is considering extending its trading hours to a full 24-hour cycle to better align with global financial markets and serve an increasingly digital investor base, as reported by Business Insider Africa.

JSE CEO Leila Fourie highlighted the growing demand for more flexible trading hours, noting that major exchanges such as New York and Nasdaq have expanded hours to accommodate retail investors who trade across different time zones.

However, the proposal has met skepticism from local brokers and traders who question the practicality of a round-the-clock market given South Africa’s relatively low trading volumes.

Veteran stockbroker David Shapiro expressed doubts about whether the JSE’s daily trading volumes are sufficient to support continuous trading without exposing the market to increased volatility and operational challenges.

“There is concern that 24-hour trading might strain infrastructure and destabilize prices in a market that does not yet have the liquidity seen in major global exchanges,” Shapiro said.

Despite these reservations, the JSE is engaging with stakeholders to carefully assess the benefits and risks before making a decision. No definitive timeline has been announced.

If implemented, 24-hour trading could enhance the JSE’s global competitiveness, particularly benefiting companies listed both locally and internationally by increasing liquidity and investor access.