Bourses push Sebi to allow longer F&O hours amid Gift Nifty launch

Move comes amid threat that global investors would shift trading to Gift City to avail tax benefits

Close on heels of the launch of Gift Nifty (earlier SGX Nifty), domestic exchanges are pushing for extension of trading hours for the onshore derivatives market, said sources.

Bourses are waiting for a final approval from market regulator Sebi on the proposal to keep the derivatives market open for longer hours, they said. The move is aimed at attracting more trading members for onshore futures and options (F&O) contracts amid risk that global investors could prefer trading at Gift City given the tax benefits.

“Keeping the derivatives market open for longer will help domestic investors hedge their risk better and