Bratt questions whether there is really a great demand for around-the-clock trading. Even if it would open up for trading across different time zones, most of the trading will still take place during the day, local time, she believes.
But from a theoretical perspective, one could definitely see that there is a democratic aspect to longer opening hours, as it gives more people access to the stock exchange, she says and adds:
Especially private individuals who have regular jobs.
In the beginning of the year, the American 24X National Exchange was granted permission to be open for 23 hours, but the technical infrastructure is not yet in place to make it possible.
It would be a major adjustment for the banking system, that's what you have to keep in mind, says Bratt.
In recent years, the discussions about the Stockholm stock exchange's opening hours have rather been about shortening the days. There would need to be a great demand for extended opening hours to be possible, according to Bratt.
Otherwise, we will have this thin trading with a risk of unjustified price movements and that would not be good for anyone.
