SEBI chairman pitches for checks and balances in high-frequency trading

16 Nov 2011 Evaluate

SEBI chairman UK Sinha has stated that SEBI will take action against those found manipulating initial public offering (IPOs) of companies and pitched for more checks and balances in high-frequency trading. The market regulator is looking at revamping the IPO norms and putting in place a common Know Your Customer (KYC) regulation for financial sector intermediaries.

‘We have decided to have a thorough review of our risk management system as the current system is more than 10 years old,’ said Sinha. On high frequency or algorithmic trading he said it requires strict checks as it involves potential risks. He cited instances of short-collection of client margins and large-scale violations of client code. Review would consider changes in the margin system as well as capacity to take the trades.

Earlier on October 26, the BSE was forced to annul all the derivatives trades after large movements in Sensex futures was observed during the special session, conducted as Muhurat trading, for Diwali. This raised the question of risk management measures in high frequency trading.

Regarding the IPO the SEBI chairman has said that the regulator was closely looking at pricing of IPOs and will take action if it came across instances of manipulation. There are allegations that promoter-broker nexuses try to book heavy profit on the day of listing. The regulator will review the entire process of initial share sale and will put in place a centralized KYC norm for financial sector intermediaries. Earlier this year, SEBI had decided to introduce a new short and simple form for IPO investors for increasing retail participation in the stock markets.

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