Introduction
The system of limit-up and limit-down (LULD) is a system that places price limits on stock prices for no more than a certain amount of time (usually 15 minutes) during a single trading day. It is used by exchanges to help maintain orderly, fair, and efficient markets by preventing extreme price volatility. The system is designed to keep the market stable by limiting the volatility of individual stocks, allowing investors across the market to benefit without taking undue risk.
Background
The LULD system was first introduced by the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in February of 2018, with the aim of limiting the influence of sudden and large fluctuations in stock prices. The system works by setting upper and lower limits for the price of a stock, as well as a maximum threshold for the amount of price fluctuations for a single day. The price limit can be triggered by large buy and sell orders, as well as non-market factors such as news and announcements. The system was later introduced in other Chinese exchanges and is now used by all the major stock exchanges in the country.
How the System Works
The LULD system uses a combination of market data and algorithms to calculate the maximum price at which a stock can be traded during a single trading day. This price is based on the average price of the stock over the 10 trading days prior to the day the limit is being set. When the stock reaches this predetermined price, trading is halted for up to 15 minutes. During this trading halt, the LULD system recalculates the stock’s maximum value and allows for trading to resume.
Benefits of the System
The LULD system has proven to be effective at helping to stabilize stock prices. By limiting the amount that a stock price can fluctuate in one day, it prevents extreme volatility, allowing for more orderly and normalised market conditions. This has proven to benefit both short-term and long-term investors. Short-term investors have an easier time assessing the risk associated with their investments, while long-term investors can have confidence that their investments will remain stable and predictable.
Conclusion
The system of limit-up and limit-down has been seen as a successful tool for exchanges to protect investors from excessive volatility in the stock markets. The system has been successful in helping to promote more orderly and normalised market conditions, allowing both short-term and long-term investors to benefit. Long-term investors can have more confidence in their investments, while short-term investors benefit by having a better idea of the risk associated with their investments. In sum, the system of LULD helps to promote a fair and transparent stock market in China.