BSE permits block deals for illiquid scrips

Leading stock exchange BSE has allowed block deals for illiquid stocks trading in the periodic call auction sessions.

All illiquid scrips in the equity market are conducted only through periodic call auction sessions.

"Trading Members of the Exchange are hereby informed that Block Deals are allowed to be executed in the scrips trading in Periodic Call Auction Session through Block Deal Window (that is during the time period 9.15 am to 9.50 am)," BSE said in a notification today.

"All other conditions for execution of bulk deals... issued by the exchange in the matter remain unchanged," the exchange added.

Illiquid stocks are those that can't be sold easily because they see limited trading. They pose higher risks to investors because it is difficult to find buyers for them, as compared to the frequently traded shares.

Securities are listed as illiquid if its average daily trading volume in a quarter is less than 10,000, the average daily number of trades is less than 50 in a quarter and is classified as illiquid at all exchanges where it is traded.

BSE and other bourses identify illiquid scrips at the beginning of every quarter and move such scrips to periodic call auction mechanism.