Hong Kong (dpa) – Stockbrokers in Hong Kong Monday grudgingly waved goodbye to one of the shortest working days in financial markets globally as their lunch break was cut by another 30 minutes to one hour. The half-hour reduction was the second since March 2011, when the market's two-hour break from midday until 2 pm was trimmed by 30 minutes despite protests from brokers. Angry stockbrokers staged protest marches, saying the shortened lunch breaks deny them the chance to network and entertain important clients. Sandwich bars and fast-food restaurants in the financial district now predict an upturn in business from the city's 400 brokers. The sock exchange said the change was needed to compete with markets in mainland China and overseas, where many operate for between six and eight hours a day. Stock exchanges in Britain, Germany and the US have all-day trading and lunch breaks have been scrapped in recent years in Australia, India and South Korea. The Tokyo Stock Exchange has also extended its morning session by half an hour. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/Sesgb Tags: Brokers, Hong Kong, Working Day Section: Business, East Asia
