Trading halt
A trading halt is a temporary pause in trading in a listed entity's securities, granted by ASX at the entity's request, typically to allow time to prepare a material announcement under Listing Rule 3.1.
Definition
A trading halt is a temporary pause in trading in a listed entity's securities, granted by ASX at the entity's request, typically to allow time to prepare a material announcement under Listing Rule 3.1.
In detail
A trading halt is the most commonly used tool for managing disclosure timing under pressure. It is requested by the listed entity (usually via the company secretary or designated officer) and granted by ASX for up to two trading days under Listing Rule 17.1.
The classic use is when a material event is in flight — a capital raise, M&A transaction, regulatory decision, or unexpected operational event — and the company needs time to finalise the announcement and get it cleared for lodgement.
A halt request includes the proposed reason, the duration, and the form the resumed announcement will take. ASX publishes the halt to the market immediately. If more time is needed, the entity must move to a voluntary suspension.
Trading halts are managed under ASX Guidance Note 8. Misuse — repeated halts, halts used to delay disclosure, halts requested without genuine reason — attracts ASX scrutiny.
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