National Stock Exchange of Australia facts for kids

The National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX) is a stock exchange located in Sydney, Australia. A stock exchange is a place where people can buy and sell shares of companies. It is owned and run by a company called NSX Limited. NSX Limited itself is listed on another stock exchange, the Australian Securities Exchange, since 2005.

The NSX was first known as the Newcastle Stock Exchange. In 2006, its name was officially changed to the National Stock Exchange of Australia. It is still often called "NSX" for short.

The NSX allows different companies from Australia and other countries to list their shares. To be listed, companies must follow certain rules. All trading on the NSX happens electronically. It uses a system called NETS, which helps match buyers and sellers quickly. When shares are bought or sold, the process of officially transferring them is also electronic. This usually happens within two business days.

History of the NSX

The NSX began a long time ago, in 1937. In its early days, it listed many local and regional companies. Some of these companies grew very large and well-known. Examples include Golden Circle, which makes fruit products, and Ricegrowers, also known as Sunrice. The exchange was restarted in its current form in the year 2000. At that time, it had about 70 companies listed.

Key Moments in NSX History

Here are some important dates for the NSX:

• 1937: The Newcastle Stock Exchange was created.
• 1939: The exchange was officially recognized by law.
• 1940: Meetings were stopped during the Second World War.
• 1947: Meetings started again after the war.
• 1985: Meetings stopped for a while.
• 2000: The Newcastle Stock Exchange was re-established.
• 2005: It bought the Bendigo Stock Exchange. This exchange is now called IR Plus Securities Exchange.
• 2006: The Newcastle Stock Exchange changed its name to the National Stock Exchange of Australia Limited.
• 2007: It bought The Water Exchange.
• 2010: The Water Exchange was sold.
• 2011: The BSX Taxi Market stopped operating.
• 2016: The main office and operations moved to Sydney, Australia.

About IR Plus Securities Exchange

NSX Limited bought the Bendigo Stock Exchange (BSX) in 2005. The BSX helped people trade shares of Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank. These shares were traded without paper certificates. This exchange was later renamed SIM Venture Securities Exchange in 2010. Its goal was to list companies that focus on clean technology. Today, this exchange is known as IR Plus Securities Exchange.

Past Trading Markets

The NSX also created some unique trading markets in the past.

Taxi Licence Market

The NSX helped create the first market where people could buy and sell taxi licences. This market started in March 2006. It allowed people to trade both permanent and temporary taxi licences.

The Water Exchange

In 2007, NSX Limited bought The Water Exchange. This exchange allowed people to trade rights to use water in Australia. These rights could be permanent or temporary. In 2010, NSX Limited sold The Water Exchange to another company.

How Trading Works

Both the NSX and IR Plus use modern electronic trading systems. This means buying and selling shares happens online. The official transfer of shares is also mostly electronic. This is done using a system called ASX Clear CHESS system. For some shares, the transfer can still be done manually.

Shares are settled on a "T+2" basis. This means that after you buy or sell shares, the money and shares are officially exchanged two business days later.

Trading Hours

The National Stock Exchange of Australia has specific times for trading:

• Start-of-day enquiry: 2:30 AM to 3:00 AM
• Pre-open session: 3:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Normal trading session: 10:00 AM to 4:15 PM
• Post-market session (end-of-day enquiry): 4:15 PM to 11:00 PM

All these times are in AEST.

Holidays

The NSX is closed on these public holidays:

• Australia Day (January)
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Anzac Day (April 25)
• Queen's Birthday (June)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• New Year's Day (January 1)

NSX Stock Indexes

A stock index is like a group of stocks that are tracked together. It helps show how different parts of the market are doing. Here are the indexes tracked by the NSX:

See also

• Economy of Australia
• List of stock exchanges
• List of stock exchanges in the Commonwealth of Nations