NSE to launch debt segment on May 13; to list 400 securities

Leading bourse National Stock Exchange(NSE) will launch a dedicated debt trading platform on May 13, with the listing of nearly 400 securities on the segment for retail and institutional investors.

In a circular, NSE said that a total of 376 securities would be available for retail tradings, while 22 securities would be admitted to dealings on the institutional platform.

This would be effective from May 13, 2013.

Among the securities that would be available for trading in the institutional category include HDFC, LIC Housing Finance, Power  Finance Corp, NABARD (National Bank of Agriculture & Rural Development), National Housing Bank, Power Grid Corp.

ICICI Bank would fall under the retail category, while securities of SBI, Muthoot Finance,Religare Finvest, Shriram City Union Finance and IDBI Bank would fall under both the categories.

"The securities which are made available in the retail and Institutional platform on the debt segment shall continue to be available for trading in the capital market segment and wholesale debt segment respectively till further notice," NSE said.

Also, NSE will conduct a special mock trading session tomorrow in which members of the debt segment can participate. The one-hour session would begin, after closing of market hours, at 17:30 hours.

The bourse will be the first exchange to offer a separate trading platform for debt securities.

NSE, earlier this week, announced that it had received approval from market regulator Sebi to set up a separate debt trading platform.

The platform is expected to bring more transparency and credibility to the way debt securities are traded, besides attracting more investors to this segment.

The platform would also help in enabling all kinds of debt securities including corporate and wholesale debt under one roof.